Kashid Beach is a popular beach destination located on the shores of the Arabian Sea in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, India. It is situated in the district of Raigad, approximately 30 kilometers from Alibaug and 135 kilometers from Mumbai. The beach is known for its pristine white sands, clear blue waters, and picturesque surroundings. The proximity to Mumbai and Pune makes it a popular weekend destination for city dwellers.
The beach in Kashid is comprised of a mix of rocks and blackish-brown sand quite like the beach in Murud Janjira. The sand here is not whitish as most articles on Google will tell you. As compared to Alibaug Beach or Murud Beach, Kashid Beach has a much longer shoreline and is way less crowded than Alibaug Beach. This makes it a much better visit experience than Alibaug Beach. Kashid has retained a somewhat unspoiled and less crowded atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for those seeking a peaceful and tranquil beach experience.
If you live in Mumbai or Pune and are planning a weekend trip to Kashid Beach, then look no further. Here are 5 tips that will make your weekend getaway a memorable one!
5 Tips to Enjoy Your Weekend in Kashid
1. Take the shortest route to Reach Kashid Beach:
If you have read my post on Murud Janjira, you will know about the routes to reach Murud. Kashid is located at merely a 35 min or 15km distance from Murud. Kashid is located before Murud, which means you will reach Kashid earlier.
- From Mumbai by Car – Situated at a distance of 135km from Mumbai, you can reach this beautiful Kashid Beach by car. Option 1, you drive down from Mumbai and take the Panvel to Pen to Alibaug to Murud Route. Option 2, you drive down from Mumbai to Panvel and take the expressway, then you take the Khalapur exit to Kalamboli and reach Kashid via Roha. Option 1 here will be the shortest route to take.
- From Mumbai by Ferry – You can take the ferry from Bhau Cha Dhakka and get off at Mandwa Jetty and then you take a car/cab to drive down to Kashid. If you stay in South Bombay then this is the shortest and fastest way to reach Kashid.
- From Pune by Car – Drive down from Pune by taking the route via Pen to Alibaug and then to Kashid, the distance is 170km.
2. Start Early and Reach in Time
As mentioned earlier, Kashid is located about 135km from Mumbai and 170km from Pune, it takes over 4 hours to reach the Beach. For you to be able to make the most of your weekend trip, it is essential that you start early. Target to leave at dawn so that you can reach Kashid comfortably by lunch. Breakfast you can have in the various restaurants that line the Mumbai to Kashid Route.
3. Do not pre-book your hotel or homestay(if you want to save money)
Kashid Beach is much less crowded than ALibaug hence the best option is to not pre-book your hotel or homestay. Instead, you can check out the rooms negotiate with the owners, and then finalize a place to stay. This strategy can help you get really good spacious rooms at affordable rates.
4. Enjoy the Water Sports/Activities at Kashid Beach
If you are an adventure junkie, and especially if you love water sports, then Kashid is for you. You can experience all kinds of watersports like jetskiing, banana rides, parasailing, or simply swimming. You also have ATV rides, double bicycle rides, and horse and camel rides that you can take on the beach.
Along with variety, the best part about adventure activities at Kashid is that the rates are affordable. So it won’t blow a hole in your pocket. If you are looking for water sports packages, check out this link from Thrillophilia. (Note: I am not affiliated with them, I just am a consumer who enjoyed their package starting at Rs. 899 only.
Swimming is another activity that everyone can undertake at Kashid Beach. You do not need to carry swimwear for this. You will find several shops selling swimwear and other accessories for both adults and children again at affordable rates. Also, there are several changing rooms and washrooms, which make swimming here a hassle-free experience
However, if activities are not your thing, you will find multiple hammocks and benches under coconut trees dotting the beach where you can just chill out, relax, and enjoy the tranquil surroundings or play with sand. You might then be more interested in my next tip!
5. Enjoy the coastal cuisine at affordable prices (Don’t forget Solkadi)
Coastal Maharashtra is known for its Konkani cuisine that draws seafood lovers from far and wide. Kashid is no different. The beachside shacks and “khanavals” or family restaurants serve a variety of dishes with freshly caught prawns, pomfret, surmai (or Kingfish), crabs, and mackerel (popularly known as bangda).
You will get all types of lip-smacking fish fries, authentic curries, and koliwada preparations. To enhance the palatability and the taste, there are 2 of the most famous accompaniments – solkadi and bhakri. Solkadi is a beverage made with coconut milk, spices and kokum (again a specialty in coastal Maharashtra). Bhakri on the other hand is bread or roti made with rice flour.
Together, these are every seafood lover’s delight!
QnA
Q. Is Kashid beach clean or dirty?
Kashid is one of the cleanest beaches in coastal Maharashtra. The fact that it is less crowded than say an Alibaug or Murud beach adds to the charm and also results in less pollution of water and beach.
Q. Where is Kashid Beach located?
Kashid is located about 135km from Mumbai, in coastal Maharashtra along the Arabian Sea Shoreline.
Q. Which is better Murud or Kashid?
Kashid is much better than Murud. Situated at a distance of about 15 m before Murud, Kashid has cleaner beaches stretching a whopping 3 km and sparser crowds.
Q. Which beach is better Kashid or Alibaug?
Definitely Kashid. It’s cleaner, much longer and less crowded. Activities and food here are cheaper with the same or better quality.
Q. Is Kashid Beach Safe?
Yes, it is safe. But being a beach, ensure you do not venture too far into the sea, keep your belongings carefully and be vigilant.
Q. What are other places to visit near Kashid Beach?
There are several other attractions near Kashid Beach, including the historic Murud Janjira Fort, which is located on an island and can be reached by a short boat ride.
If you are looking to visit other places in Maharashtra check my post on Kihim Beach, Trimbakeshwar, Malshej Ghat and Murud. If you love beaches, then check out my post on Radhanagar Beach. If you are looking to roam in Andaman Islands check out Ross Island.
Alternatively, if you are interested in some Religious tourism, please check my posts on Golden Temple, Kamakhya, and Kashi Vishwanath. If you are looking for Adventure tours, check my posts on Pahalgam, Shillong, Meghalaya, Dawki, and Kashmir.
If you are looking for some spirituality, you can check out about Ganga Aarti in Dashashwamedh Ghat or Ghats in Varanasi. Check out my posts from South India Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple, Bandipur Safari, and Mandalpatti Peak.
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