A Visit to a Getaway Near Mumbai-Alibaug

Mumbai is a busy metropolis and once in a way it is a good idea to break from the routine and travel to a place near Mumbai. One such place is Alibaug about 105 km from Mumbai and perched right on the Arabian sea. It is a small place and visitors from Mumbai frequent it quite often , though during my last visit I never saw a foreigner there.

The road to Alibaug has to be taken to Pen-which is on the Mumbai Goa Highway. From Pen you have to branch out to Alibag. Upto Pen the road is good and motorable and one can drive at a reasonable speed. But after pen the road is narrow and at places pitted with small pot holes.Accidents are frequent and just before I reached Alibaug , I learn't that a party of 15 had all expired in road accident. It appeared that they were travelling in a tempo which had hit a tanker. So drive carefully and take no undue risks particularly while overtaking. The Mahrashtra government could do well to widen the road,perhaps then the tourist traffic may increase. You can also reach Alibaug by a state transport bus or catch a bus of the numerous transporters who operate a bus service to Alibaug.

Alibaug itself isa bit of a let down. There is not much to see and the roads are narrow and dusty. The sea beach and water is blackish and dirty and one cannot think of a dip in the ocean.It is a far cry from the clean beaches of Goa or the western nations.

There is also not much to see except a fort that during high tide is surrounded by water.This fort could also do with some renovation and as it is it is in a fairly dillipated condition. There is small beach with about a dozen hotels facing it.But the charges are exorbitant and some charging $125 per day.The accomodation is definitely sub standard.However away from the beach one can stay in the Big Splash resort.Here the accomodation is good and the charges reasonable at $50 to $100 per day. There is also the five star Radisson. But it is small and far away from the beach.

Over all my impression of Alibaug was not flattering.There is a need to improve the infrastructure and clean up the beach.But it will be a herculean task with a oil refinery nearby. It is about time the Mahrashtra government woke up and made the resort worthy to attract visitors.