Drive, Sail, and Unwind: Alibaug’s Perfect Weekend Escape from Mumbai

1. Alibaug

Distance from Mumbai: 95 Km (by road)
Terrain: Coastal, flat
Traveling Time: 3 hours
Must-visit: Murud-Janjira Fort
Religious Significance: Holy place for Goddess Shree Padmakshi Renuka, known as goddess of Konkan

A drive to Alibaug—sounds ordinary, right? Well, how about we shake things up a bit? Picture this: cruising along the coastline, the glittering Mumbai skyline in the distance, and then—wait for it—you’re driving straight onto a massive ship in your car, all as you sail toward your destination. Got your attention now? Let’s make this road trip anything but boring!

Reaching Alibaug

The fastest (and most fun!) way to reach Alibaug? Drive right onto the beloved M2M Ferries—Maharashtra’s first Ro-Pax ferry sailing from Princess Docks (Bhaucha Dhakka) to Mandwa. In just about an hour, you’ll be in Alibaug, but why rush when you can soak in the sea breeze, bask in the sunshine, and take in the stunning views of Mumbai Harbour? Oh, and if your furry friend is tagging along, they’re in luck—there’s a special spot on board just for them! Now that’s what I call traveling in style! 

The journey begins with a 1-hour drive from Mumbai to the M2M Ferry pick-up point at Bhaucha Dhakka. From there, you’ll enjoy a scenic 1-hour ferry ride across the sea waters, offering stunning views of the coastline. Once you dock in Alibaug, it’s just a short 30 to 50-minute drive to most of the popular hotels and resorts, where relaxation by the beach awaits.

The Experience

The Drive: For those traveling from the western suburbs, the Eastern Freeway (just before reaching Bhaucha Dhakka) offers a smooth and efficient route. In the early morning hours, it’s surprisingly possible to reach speeds of 100 km/h—a rare feat for Mumbai’s typically congested roads. Once you arrive at Mandwa, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the exceptionally well-maintained and smooth roads, making for a seamless drive on coastal, flat terrain.

M2M Ferry: A truly unique experience on this trip is the one-hour M2M Ro-Pax ferry ride, where you can take your car along for the journey. The ferry offers food and drinks to make the ride enjoyable, though the best value-for-money option is the Škoda Kushaq Zone (around INR 500), as opposed to the pricier Škoda Kodiaq Lounge, which can cost INR 2,000 or more. The onboard food is adequate, but not exceptional. For those bringing a vehicle, expect to pay around INR 1,500 for a 5-seater compact SUV. Additionally, there’s a charge of INR 100 per infant and INR 300 for pets. You can check availability and make reservation directly on their website www.m2mferries.com

Stay at West Coast, Alibaug: The property feels much smaller than it appears online, and service is slow and subpar. Staff are less courteous than expected, and management starts pushing check-out reminders well before the time. The food options are limited and underwhelming, prepared by local cooks rather than professional chefs. The last order time is early, which can be inconvenient. Requests for clean linen may be met with unnecessary questioning, adding to the overall poor service experience. Tariffs spike during holidays, but the service and quality don’t justify the high rates.

Beaches: If you’re heading to Alibaug with beaches in mind, I hate to break it to you—you might be disappointed. The real charm of Alibaug lies not in its shores, but in its value as a weekend escape. Think of it as a refreshing break from the hustle and monotony of city life, offering a serene and scenic drive from Mumbai rather than a quintessential beach destination. Unlike the other popular beaches of Alibaug Beach, Kihim and Awas beach offers peace and quiet, making it perfect for those seeking solitude.

Food at Kokum & Spice (Radisson Blu): As connoisseurs of authentic Maharashtrian cuisine, we were eager to indulge in local delicacies such as Kokum Sharbat, Thalipeeth, and Modak. Our choice to dine at Kokum & Spice at Radisson Blu, Alibaug, proved to be a delightful one. The flavors were authentic, and the culinary craftsmanship was evident in every dish. For five adults, the elaborate lunch came to around INR 4,500, which I found reasonable given the quality and the experience. The meal left us thoroughly satisfied, both gastronomically and in terms of value.

Hope you found the post informative and detailed enough to help you plan your Alibaug trip. Watch out this space for my next blog post in this series covering yet another interesting weekend getaway drive from Mumbai, we did this monsoon.