Lesser Known Beaches in Maharashtra to Plan your Next Visit!

“Tujhe Aksa beach ghuma doon, aa chalti kya?”. Well, no thanks. For there’s a lot more to the Maharashtra coastal area than Aksa and Juhu beaches. Clean wide beaches, soft sand and very few tourists aren’t just limited to exotic locations like Bali, Greece and Italy. Maharashtra is full of hidden wonders in the form of pristine sands and clear water along the coast; beaches that are not yet well-known amongst the throng of city dwellers. Scroll through, read it all and then pack your bags to head down to these lesser-known beaches in Maharashtra.

Anjarle Beach, Dapoli, Ratnagiri

In an idyllic village named Anjarle near Dapoli in Ratnagiri is this picturesque destination. With a long and wide beach studded with coconut palms, Anjarle is a place to experience peace and solitude. For a true Konkan experience, visit this spot during the monsoons to witness the best of nature. There’s only one resort in the village and a few homestays available. Anjarle is yet to appear on the tourist map, which has allowed it to remain serene and secluded from the mad city crowds. When in Anjarle, you can visit Kadyavarcha Ganpati, a popular Ganesh temple on a cliff. There are about 300 stairs from the village that lead to the top of the cliff. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the top. For vehicles, there’s a road from the outskirts of Anjarle to the top of the cliff. Anjarle is a place to relish some delectable Konkani food like Modak, Ghavne, Phanasachi (raw jackfruit) Bhaji, and authentic regional seafood.

How to Reach: Khed station, which is 52 kms away, on the Konkan railway is the nearest railway station for Anjarle. It is 40 kms south of Mumbai and about 200 kms west of Pune.

Diveagar Beach, Shrivardhan, Raigad

The beach at Diveagar is long and wide. On weekends, you can enjoy camel rides, horse buggy rides, sand rovers, jet skis, banana tubing and parasailing. Diveagar has still retained its rustic charm of a typical Konkan village despite being closer to Mumbai and Pune. There are many small resorts in and around Diveagar with varying degrees of service and amenities. It’s a great place for strolling on the beach in the morning and evening, playing cricket, football on the beach or building sandcastles. The beach is free of rocks and is safe to swim. There are many khanaval (eateries) in Diveagar serving delicious Konkani seafood and vegetarian meals.

How to Reach: The nearest railway station is Mangaon, about 45 kms away, on the Konkan railway. It is about 170 kms from Mumbai and about 160 kms from Pune.

Velneshwar Beach, Ratnagiri

Lined with coconut trees, Velneshwar Beach is popular for its rock-free sea and clean atmosphere. Swimming, sunbathing, and lazing on this beautiful crescent-shaped beach are popular activities. You can even spend hours simply taking in the natural beauty of the place. The ancient Velneshwar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is another place worth visiting. Another spot to check out is the Sri Dashabhuja Lakshmi Ganesh Devasthan, where the idol of Ganesh has ten hands. Apart from MTDC, there are a few homestays and resorts where you can stay. You can also enjoy home-cooked meals at nearby restaurants.

How to Reach: The nearest railway station is Chiplun, which is 55 km away on Konkan railway. Mumbai and Pune are 425 and 252.6 kms from Velneshwar respectively.

Bordi Beach, Dahanu

Bordi Beach is half an hour's drive from Dhanu and a quick and quiet escape from Mumbai. It is marked by the presence of Casuarina trees, coconut groves, and chikoo orchards along with blackish sand that is clean and tranquil. If you are interested in a water adventure, Dahanu-Bordi Beach offers sports activities like gliding, trekking, kite flying and more. Also, you can also embark on treks across nearby hills like Mahalaxmi, Asherigad, Bahrot, and Kahoj. In addition, the historical Bahrot Cave is worth exploring too. Here, visitors can witness the ancient, still-burning sacred fire at Udwada, a testament to a thousand years of faith and devotion. You can find holiday homes for rent as well as a few accommodations nearby. There are several dhabas and restaurants around that offer a variety of food.

How to Reach: The Gholvad station is the nearest railway station to Bordi. This place is about 150 kms away from Mumbai.

Kelwa Beach, Palghar

Located near Kelva Road, which is three stations after Virar on the Western Line, Kelva boasts pristine beaches that are seldom visited by Mumbaikars. The eight-kilometre long beach is an ideal spot for runners as well, as the beach is also surrounded by trees. The Shitla Devi Temple, a Hindu temple, is situated just beside the beach. There are two forts on this beach. One is at the southern tip of the beach and is submerged in seawater during high tides. The smaller one is located within the coniferous trees near the northern tip of the beach. There are quite a few hotels, resorts and homestays in and near Kelwa. From street food to seafood khanavals, there's something for everyone.

How to Reach: Kelve Road is a railway station on the Western line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway network. Mumbai is about 103 kms away.