The Cruise to Agnipath Fantasy - Mandwa

Way to Mandwa

A traveler always seeks the opportunity to head out to the unknown, to step the foots for freedom beyond the official and social circumstances and systems. Thankfully, in India Sundays gives everyone a chance, an opportunity to select between the soft comfortable bed or the road in search of a memory, an outing planned within the most strict time limitations. No matter where you stay, there will be some location that are worth giving a shot. Tiredness captures the mind when you are doing things out of compulsion, but when we are doing an activity of love, it gives relaxation. 

Then, What's better than a small fast-tract tour. 

Mandwa, a small coastal town in Maharashtra, very close to Alibag. The name got famed due to use of the name in movie Agnipath starred once by legendary Amitabh Bacchan, and later in remake by Hritik Roshan. 

The place has became a spot for day tours for people staying around Mumbai. This has been greatly boosted by the frequent ferry services available between Apollo Bunder to Mandwa Jetty. The journey itself is enjoyable. A day visit to Mandwa is sufficient unless you add few other nearby places like Kihim Beach, Awas Beach or the closer Sasawane Beach. If you are visiting from other cities, I would suggest you to add this place along with Alibag tour, which is a more fancied and well established tourist destination. 

Mandwa Beach, Kolgaon

Places to Visit 

Beaches around Area:

1. Mandwa Beach

As the jetty drops you at Mandwa, walk to the exit gate of Jetty complex, and take a right turn, which will take you to the beach area. The road is through dense vegetation. The beach is clean and lightly sandy. This stretch of beach has not been commercialized to a greater extent, so you will not find heavy beach activity. So, if you want a peaceful, no hawker area, this is good spot to select.

 

2. Sasawane Beach

A thin stretch of beach south of Mandwa, which looks more of a private beach area. The beach is accessed mostly by visitors staying at resorts around the area. Nice palm plantations around the area. The beach is mostly clean but rocky. 

 

Area around Sasawane Beach

 

 

3. Awas Beach

A popular beach spot in the area. The sand is lighter in color, and place is beautiful, with lovely beautification work done near beach entrance.

 

Awas Beach

4. Kihim Beach

The most commercial beach near Mandwa. It is round 12km from jetty. You can reach here through bus service which is attached with your jetty ticket. The place is beautiful, sandy beach and offers all beach activity that a beach lover desires. Horse cart ride is quite a fun activity.

 

Kihim Beach

Sea Forts

1. Khanderi Fort on Kanhoji Angre Island

The hilly island is named after Maratha Naval officer "Kanhoji Angre". The island was developed under Maratha dynasty as a naval base. Presently, it is maintained by Indian Navy with restricted access. Normal tourist can reach the area through ferry rides. There is a proper built jetty here. The notable spots are Temple of Vetal, Metal Canons and the well preserved Lighthouse. 

 

Khanderi Fort and Lighthouse

2. Underi Sea Fort

This is closer to coast, but is a very small island fort. It has some canons lying in the island. During low tides, it is accessible from beach. Else, it can be reached through private boat as there is no proper jetty area.

 

Underi Fort

Other Places to Visit

1. Karmakar Museum

It is located near Sasawane beach. It is basically a collection of Idols made by Mr.Nanasaheb Karmarkar, kept in his own house. The exhibition fee is Rs.5 and a visit of 1-2 hr is sufficient. Two notable sculptures are known as Hira Kolin and Shankh-dhwani. Beware, visit only of you are interested in art and historical sculptures. Good place for children, if you can explain them the stories around the artifact.

Karmakar Museum

How to Reach

The first task is to reach Mumbai, which is an important railway head and International airport connecting all over India. From here, the most preferred way to reach Mandwa is to ride a ferry. The ferry rides are available from Apollo Bunder, near Gateway of India. The charges includes Ferry ride to Mandwa and a bus service that goes from Mandwa Jetty to Alibag. You can opt to drop down anywhere in between as per your destination. If you are traveling from other directions, you can take a drive via Alibag.

Mandwa Jetty

Where to Stay

The place offers lovely stay options near beaches, with most are home stays where the owner is your host. They provide all basic amenities. Kihim Beach has more commercial lavishing stay options. So, it is upto you, if you want commercial concrete stays or pretty basic close to nature stays. I will suggest pre-booking your stay especially if you are visiting during weekends.

Who should Visit

Almost everyone can visit these places. It fun for everyone.

No. of Days 

For short tours covering any one beach, a day visit is sufficient. To cover the whole area, I suggest a 2-day 1-night visit.  

A great travel needs a great team

There is a saying that, Important moments in life are made special by the people who are present in that moment, and if we talk about travel, a great travel experience enhances in happiness index when you are accompanied by family, lovely friends and your loved once. It is not the place that matters then, it is love and connect shared with the people around that makes the journey a memorable one. Every journey loads your memory with instances, experiences, cultural exchanges and a moment of interaction with nature, and replenishes your soul for coming days.

Happy Traveling. Cheers !