Not too far away from the hectic pace of Mumbai, lies a little coastal town seemingly unaffected by the chaos around it. Alibaug is a gem located in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. Known for its quiet beaches, temples and forts, Alibaug is a popular choice for a great weekend getaway from the city. This charming town is blessed with both natural beauty and fascinating colonial history. It is located only 110 km from Mumbai but exists worlds away, cocooned within tranquil seascapes and sleepy streets.  

Despite being a sleepy town, there’s plenty to see and things to do in Alibaug. All its beaches are a few minutes’ drive away, making beach hopping an easy and (always) pleasant exercise. The most popular beaches in Alibaug, not only for its beauty but also for a view of the splendid Alibaug fort in the distance.  Alibaug Fort, also known as Kolaba fort, stands as an impressive architectural remnant of the ancient and mighty Maratha Empire. Most of the fort is still in good shape and can be accessed by a short boat ride or walk from the shore.

Kolaba fort or Alibaug Fort stands tall amidst the beautiful waters of the Arabian Sea. It is a monument that is over 300 years old and was once a prominent naval station during the reign of Shivaji Maharaj in Maharashtra. This military fortification surrounded by the sea makes for a splendid sight, as it maintains a solitary vigil even today — no surprise why Alibaug fort is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the town.

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How to get there

This beautiful fort near Alibaug stands at a distance of approximately 2 km from the Alibaug beach. The fort can be reached on a boat during high tide, while a pleasant walk will get you there during low tide. The walk to the fort is rejuvenating and peaceful since there’s usually nobody around

In and around the fort

Trails around Alibaug Fort will reveal several historical artifacts and vestiges. You will be transported to a different ear as you walk past old cannons and carvings of birds and animals on the fort walls. Despite being surrounded by the sea on all four sides, there is a freshwater well located within its premises – speaking to the architectural and engineering foresight of Shivaji’s court back in the day. The Kolaba Fort once contained gardens, treasuries, and stables – tragically, most of them were destroyed during fires and battles.

There are also several temple buildings inside the fort premises dedicated to Hindu Gods. These temples are now sites of worship for local temples to offer their prayers and celebrate festivals. One of the most significant ones is a temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha that was built by Raghoji Angre in 1759. The temple is considered to be sacred and is still worshipped by fishermen who live nearby. The other prominent temples at Alibaug Fort are Mahishasura and Padmavati temples. The dargah of Haji Kamaluddin Shah is also a beautiful structure inside the fort.

The design of the Alibaug Fort is an architectural masterpiece. The fort contains two entrances – one that opens into the sea and another one that opens up to the Alibaug shoreline. The fort stands at an average height of 25 feet. It has been declared a nationally-protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) due to its historical and strategic importance.

The magnificent fort is the perfect vantage point for unforgettable views of the Arabian Sea. It’s also moments like this when you marvel at being present inside a centuries-old structure, is a staggering 25 ft high, built on a small rock face, and located in the middle of the sea! The pleasant sea breeze and history of Alibaug Fort combine beautifully to create a great travel memory. 

History

The Alibaug Fort is considered to be one of the most prominent forts in Maharashtra. Its strategic location helped Shivaji and his troops to launch powerful attacks on the British army. 

The fort was a secure shelter and base for Shivaji’s empire for a hundred years. Kolaba Fort is said to be one of the many forts captured by Shivaji’s army in the 17th century. The fort at Alibaug was reportedly one of his last architectural projects before he passed away. The fort later passed into the hands of the Portuguese and the East India Company. 

 One of the most significant battles fought at Alibaug Fort was the Battle of 1721. It was the year when the British and Portuguese armies planned an attack on Kolaba but were unsuccessful.

Best time to visit 

Alibaug Fort is accessible at any time of the year. However, the months from November to July are considered the most ideal due to the pleasant weather. Avoid a visit during the monsoon months since the area sees heavy rainfall and persistent high tides.

Beaches near the fort

Kihim Beach and Nagaon Beach nearby are great locations for photography! Alibaug is also home to the famous Mandwa Beach, where an innumerable number of movie shootings often take place. You will find stunning views of the Gateway of India from here.

Fort Hopping from Alibaug

If you’re a history buff and can’t get enough of old monuments, we recommend another detour from Alibaug to a small town called Murud. Murud is home to the spectacular MuJanjira Fort or the Janjira Jal-durg – widely considered to be one of the most impressive structures located in Maharashtra. This island fort near Alibaug isn’t as conveniently located as Alibaug Fort but worth the slightly longer travel! 

This fantastic fort was built by Malik Ambar, an Abyssinian minister in the court of the Sultan of Ahmednagar. The fort stood strong in the face of  several attempts at capture from the Portuguese, British, as well as the Marathas! Shivaji’s numerous attempts to capture Janjira Fort remained unsuccessful.

The distance from Alibaug to Murud is approximately 53 km by road. The fort can be reached only by ferry from Rajapuri jetty in Murud, which is about 2 km from Janjira Fort. The boats depart daily towards the fort from 7 am to 4:45 pm.

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