The waning winter offers great weather for some sandy sunbathing and water sports. Before the hot summer settles in, it’s a good idea to get that beach getaway you’ve been dreaming of. But you don’t have to fly to Goa to enjoy the beach. Maharashtra’s coastline, though less glamorous and less-explored, has a whole lot to offer. From scuba-diving and sails to cocktails and historical sites, here are Maharashtra’s best beach experiences. 👉Best beach experiences in Maharashtra 💥Surf and zipline over the beach at DevgadAbout 100km from Ratnagiri, towards Goa, Devgad is great for surfers who are just starting out as well as those who are more familiar with riding waves. The Flying Konkan Surfing School has internationally trained and certified instructors and even provides longboards that help you paddle and enter the wave quickly. The waves range between 3ft-5ft in April and go up to 8ft-10ft starting May. If you want to take a break from the waves, try their special coastal zipline that lets you fly across the beach. 💥Discover sea creatures on the shores of MumbaiIn the hustle and bustle of the city, it’s easy to forget that the sea is so close. While thinking of Juhu beach or Girgaon Chowpatty may only bring up visuals of crowds and chat-wallahs, the shores also have other, quieter inhabitants. Discover the many fascinating sea creatures that wash up on the shores of Mumbai with Marine Life of Mumbai, the flagship project of Coastal Conservation Foundation. Their shore walks will introduce you to bright orange sea stars, tiny red porcelain crabs, highfin moray eels, sea anemones and more—all at the shores you’ve walked on all your life. 💥Take a morning meditation sailThe Bombay Gypsea’s curated sailing experiences in Mumbai allow you to enjoy the sea in several different ways. You can sign up for relaxed sundowner sails and even heritage sails that give you a peek into the city’s rich history at sea. The latter is offered in collaboration with travel boutique No Footprints. For some Sunday self-care, sign up for their morning meditation sail, wherein a yoga and meditation instructor will guide you through the process as the sun rises in front of your eyes.💥Visit Maharashtra’s beach forts
Maharashtra is home to over 350 forts and many of them come with stunning views. If you don’t know where to begin your explorations, the coasts are a great starting point. Take a quick Ro-Ro ride from Mumbai to visit the Kolaba Fort on Alibaug beach, which was built in the 1660s during Shivaji’s rule. Korlai Fort in Raigad was built by the Portuguese and is perched atop a hill by the beach. Sindhudurg Fort, also built by Shivaji, is a stunning island fort that occupies 48 acres. Most unique of them all is the Murud Janjira fort, which appears to be rising from the sea and still houses three surviving canons. The best part is, almost all of these architectural wonders are just a few hours from Mumbai and Pune. 💥Go snorkelling and scuba diving in TarkarliLocated close to Sindhudurg Fort, Tarkarli offers fantastic opportunities for snorkelling and scuba diving, thanks to its clear waters and diverse marine life. The beach remains relatively offbeat, since most head to Goa, the Andamans or Lakshadweep for diving opportunities. There are several diving centres here, including Tarkarli Scuba Diving, Shamika Scuba Diving and the Indian Institute of Scuba Diving and Aquatic Sports—India's first integrated Scuba diving school. The school has a dedicated scuba training pool, sea view resort as well as beach volleyball and tennis courts. 💥Sip on cocktails with a viewIf you want to enjoy the beach in Mumbai without getting your feet dirty, there’s always beach-view restaurants and bars to explore. Estella, Razzberry Rhinoceros, Dashanzi, Gada La Vida and Cecconi’s in Soho House are right by the beach at Juhu and offer delicious food and drinks with some much-needed sea breeze. 💥 Sunbathe in white sand at Ganpatipule If you’re looking for a road trip and a tranquil beach, Ganpatipule—seven to eight hour’s drive from Mumbai and Pune—is a great option. The town is best known for its ancient Ganpati temple, and its pristine white sand beaches are a welcome bonus. Go here with no agenda but to enjoy the quiet shores and the delicious seafood at local eateries. 💥 Explore islands near SindhudurgGetting to Sindhudurg got a whole lot easier after the launch of Chipi Airport in 2021. Flights to and from Mumbai take little over an hour and the region has a lot to offer. Once you’re there, you can explore a range of lesser-known islands. Burnt Island has great diving opportunities and an old, British-era lighthouse, Bird Island is a nesting ground for more than one lakh Indian swiftlets and Bridled Tern and Tsunami Island is great for spotting white seagulls, stilts and sandpipers. 💥Watch turtles take their first steps at Velas beachThe Velas Turtle Festival is an annual event at Velas beach (five-hour drive from Mumbai and Pune) centred around the hatching of Olive Ridley turtles. Watch newborn turtles take their first steps towards the sea—volunteers of the festival also help release some of them into the sea. The festival typically runs from March to April and a package usually includes meals, your stay at a local home, beach visits and a trip to the nearby Harihareshwar Temple. Website 💥 Clean up your beaches You can’t enjoy pristine shores without actually contributing to keeping them pristine. Several organisations and citizen groups do regular beach clean-ups that you can be a part of. Ek Saath, founded by environmentalist Pragya Kapoor, has an active, ongoing beach clean-up program in Mumbai’s Carter Road beach and mangroves and settlements near the ocean in Wadala, while Beach Warriors India focus on beaches in Prabhadevi and Worli, Dadar, Juhu and more. Cre: cntraveller