This Kashid Beach travel guide is for anyone planning a short coastal break on the Konkan coast within easy reach of Mumbai and Pune. Kashid sits on the Alibaug–Murud road in Raigad district, a curve of pale sand between two rocky headlands, backed by casuarina trees and calmer than the busy city beaches to the north. It is a place for a slow weekend: swimming with care, water sports in season, a sunset walk, and forts within a short drive.
Kashid Beach is a white-sand Konkan beach in Raigad district, Maharashtra, on the Alibaug–Murud coastal road about 30 km south of Alibaug and 20 km north of Murud. It suits a relaxed weekend from Mumbai or Pune, best from October to March.
Kashid Beach travel guide: quick facts
Kashid is a village in Murud taluka, Raigad district, in the North Konkan region of Maharashtra. According to Wikipedia’s summary of the settlement, the beach sits “wedged between two rocky hills in a semi circular arch” on the Arabian Sea, between Mandwa and Murud-Janjira. The sand is noticeably pale for the Konkan, the water is usually cleaner than in Alibaug town, and a belt of casuarina trees lines the road behind the beach.
The beach runs for roughly three kilometres, so even on busy weekends you can walk to a quieter stretch. It is a developed weekend beach, not a wild one: expect stalls, water-sports operators, parking and a line of resorts along the state highway. For the wider region, our Maharashtra travel guide sets Kashid in context with the state’s other coasts and hill stations.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Murud taluka, Raigad district, Maharashtra (North Konkan) |
| Distance from Alibaug | About 26–30 km by road |
| Distance from Murud | About 15–20 km by road |
| Distance from Mumbai | About 135 km on the Alibaug–Murud road |
| Best season | October to March |
| Ideal length | 1–2 nights (a weekend) |
Best time to visit Kashid Beach
The comfortable window is October to March, when the air is cool and dry, the sea is settled, and water sports run. November to February is the peak, with the most pleasant weather for swimming, sunbathing and sightseeing. April and May turn hot and humid.
The monsoon (roughly June to September) brings heavy rain and rough, high seas. Water sports are suspended, swimming is dangerous, and the boat service to Murud-Janjira fort also stops. Some travellers still come for the green, quiet setting, but treat the sea as off-limits then.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Peak / best | Nov–Feb | Cool, dry, calm sea; all water sports and forts open |
| Shoulder | Oct, Mar | Warm, mostly settled sea; still good |
| Hot | Apr–May | Hot and humid; early-morning and evening beach only |
| Monsoon | Jun–Sep | Heavy rain, rough seas; water sports and Janjira boats suspended |
How to reach Kashid
Kashid is an easy self-drive or bus trip. The nearest airport is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, roughly 126–135 km away by road. The nearest useful railheads are on the Konkan line and the Mumbai suburban network, followed by a taxi or bus for the last stretch.
By road: the direct drive from Mumbai is about 135 km and takes three to four hours. A common route runs Sion–Panvel to Panvel, then the old Goa road (NH66) to Vadkhal, then towards Alibaug, and finally the coastal road to Kashid via Nagaon and Revdanda. State transport (ST) buses also run towards Murud via Kashid; check current timings at the stand.
By ferry (the scenic option): catamaran ferries cross from the Gateway of India to Mandwa jetty near Alibaug in about 55–75 minutes; operators include PNP, Maldar and Ajanta. From Mandwa it is roughly a 1.5-hour drive down the coast to Kashid. If you want to bring your own car or bike, the M2M RoPax (roll-on/roll-off) ferry from Bhaucha Dhakka lets you drive off at Mandwa. Ferry timings and fares change by season, so reconfirm before you travel. Our Alibaug guide covers the ferry crossing and Mandwa in more detail.
| Mode | Route | Rough distance / time |
|---|---|---|
| Air | Mumbai airport, then road | ~126–135 km; 3.5–4 hr drive |
| Rail | Roha (Konkan line), then taxi/bus | ~50 km to Kashid |
| Rail | Pen / Panvel, then taxi/bus | Panvel ~64 km |
| Road | Mumbai via Panvel–Vadkhal–Alibaug | ~135 km; 3–4 hr |
| Ferry + road | Gateway of India → Mandwa → Kashid | ~55–75 min at sea + ~1.5 hr road |
Note: sources differ on the nearest railhead. Road-guide listings give Roha at about 50 km from Kashid; the Phansad sanctuary’s own site puts Roha about 30 km from the sanctuary, which lies inland of the beach. Treat rail distances as approximate and confirm your specific train.
The beach, water sports and things to do
The main draw is simply the beach: a long, clean arc of pale sand good for walking, sitting under the casuarinas and watching the sunset over the Arabian Sea. Because Kashid faces west, evenings here are the highlight; arrive on the sand well before dusk.
Water sports operate in the dry season, typically between about 9 am and 6 pm when operators and lifeguards are present. Common activities include jet ski, banana-boat rides, speedboat rides and parasailing. Prices are set by private operators and vary; as of September 2026, indicative rates quoted by travel listings were around ₹200–300 for a banana ride, ₹500 for a speedboat, ₹800 for a jet ski and ₹1,200–1,500 for parasailing. Treat these as planning estimates, agree the price before you start, and reconfirm on the day.
A note of caution repeated by visitors: parasailing conditions here are not always suitable, and reviews are mixed. Choose an operator with visible safety gear and lifejackets, and skip any activity if the sea looks rough or the operator seems casual about safety. Beyond water sports, horse and camel rides are sometimes offered on the sand, and the quieter northern end near Nandgaon is better for a calm swim in the shallows.
| Experience | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beach walk and sunset | Kashid main beach | Free; best late afternoon to dusk |
| Water sports | Kashid main beach | Dry season only, ~9 am–6 pm; prices indicative, confirm on day |
| Murud-Janjira sea fort | ~20 km south | Sailboat from Rajapuri; half a day |
| Korlai Fort and lighthouse | ~12 km north | Short hike; sea views |
| Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary | Inland (Murud/Roha) | Birding, forest trails; permit needed |
Forts and Phansad nearby
Murud-Janjira is the region’s headline sight, about 20 km south of Kashid. It is an island sea fort reached only by sailboat from the Rajapuri jetty near Murud. According to popular histories, it was held by the Siddis and never fell to the Marathas, the Portuguese or the British, which is why it is often called the unconquered fort; it still has nineteen bastions and old cannons. Entry to the fort is free, but you pay for the round-trip boat; as of September 2026, listings quote roughly ₹20–50 per person on the shared sailboats, with larger or private boats costing more. The fort keeps daytime hours (about 7 am–6 pm) and boats stop ferrying a little before closing, so start early. Boats do not run during the monsoon.
Korlai Fort and lighthouse lies about 12 km north of Kashid, near Revdanda at the mouth of the Kundlika river. The Portuguese built the fort in 1521; the automated lighthouse dates from 1955. It is a short, rewarding hike with wide sea views. Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary, inland across Murud and Roha talukas, protects about 52 sq km of coastal forest with, per the sanctuary’s own site, 190-plus bird species, the Malabar giant squirrel and leopard. It is open roughly 6 am–6 pm; as of September 2026 the sanctuary site listed indicative entry of ₹60 for Indian adults and ₹120 for foreign nationals, plus camera and vehicle charges. Reconfirm fees and any safari booking before you go.
A suggested weekend itinerary
Kashid works well as a two-night beach weekend, and pairs naturally with Alibaug and Murud on the same coastal road.
- Day 1 (Friday evening / Saturday morning): drive or ferry from Mumbai, check in, and spend the afternoon on the beach. Try a water sport or two, then settle in for the sunset.
- Day 2: early start to Murud-Janjira by sailboat from Rajapuri, back for lunch; afternoon at Korlai Fort and lighthouse or a quiet swim at the Nandgaon end. Second sunset on the beach.
- Day 3: a slow morning, optional stop at Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary for birding, or break the return drive at Alibaug. Head home by evening.
If you have more time, extend north to Alibaug’s beaches and forts, or south along the Konkan. For a longer coastal trip further down the shore, see our Tarkarli and Malvan travel guide.
Where to stay
Kashid and neighbouring Nandgaon have a good spread of beach resorts, cottages and family-run homestays, many strung along the state highway just behind the sand. There are no government tourism lodges right on the beach here, so most stays are private.
- Budget / homestays: roughly ₹1,500–3,000 a night for a simple room, often with home-cooked meals.
- Mid-range resorts: roughly ₹3,000–6,000 a night for a comfortable room, sometimes with a pool.
- Higher-end beach resorts: roughly ₹6,000–12,000+ a night on weekends and holidays.
These bands are indicative planning estimates as of September 2026 and rise sharply on weekends and long weekends; reconfirm current tariffs when booking. Book well ahead for Saturday nights and holidays, as Kashid fills up fast with Mumbai and Pune traffic.
Food to try
The coast here is Konkani and Malvani country, so seafood leads the menu. Beach shacks and resort kitchens serve the day’s catch, usually simply cooked with coconut and local spice.
- Malvani fish thali (a full plate of fish curry, fried fish, rice or bhakri and sides) — the classic order.
- Bombil fry (crisp-fried Bombay duck, a soft local fish) and surmai (kingfish) tawa fry.
- Sol kadhi (a pink, cooling drink of kokum and coconut milk) to finish a spicy meal.
- Kombdi vade (spicy Malvani chicken curry with fried puris) for non-seafood eaters, and plenty of vegetarian thalis.
Vegetarians are well catered for, and fresh coconut water is everywhere. Ask which fish is fresh that day rather than ordering off a fixed menu.
Budget breakdown
The table below is a rough per-person estimate for a two-night weekend, assuming two people sharing a mid-range room and travelling by shared car or ferry. It excludes shopping and premium water sports.
| Item | Estimate (₹) |
|---|---|
| Return travel from Mumbai (shared car or ferry + local) | 1,500–3,000 |
| Stay (2 nights, mid-range, shared) | 3,000–6,000 |
| Food (2–3 meals a day) | 1,500–2,500 |
| Water sports (a couple of activities) | 1,000–2,000 |
| Fort boat, entries, local transport | 500–1,000 |
| Approx. total | 7,500–14,500 |
A shoestring trip by bus with a homestay can come in lower; a luxury resort weekend runs well above this. Assumptions: two sharing, dry-season travel, no big shopping.
Rules and sea safety
Sea safety is the single most important part of a Kashid trip. The Arabian Sea here can have strong currents and sudden drop-offs, and drownings do happen at Konkan beaches when swimmers go out too far. Treat the sea with respect even when it looks calm.
- Swim only in the shallows where you can stand, and only when lifeguards or operators are present (roughly the same daytime hours as water sports). Do not swim at night, after drinking, or during and just after the monsoon when the sea is rough.
- Watch children constantly and keep non-swimmers out of the water beyond ankle depth.
- For water sports, insist on a proper lifejacket, check the equipment, and skip parasailing or jet ski if the operator seems careless or the sea is choppy. Agree the price first.
- During the monsoon, the sea is dangerous and water sports and the Janjira boat are suspended — stay on land.
There is no special permit for the beach itself. Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary requires an entry ticket and, for safaris, prior booking. Follow the usual Konkan norms: no littering or plastic on the sand, no loud music late, and respect the fishing communities whose boats share the shore. Photography is fine on the beach; check locally before flying a drone, as rules near forts and coastlines can be restricted.
Practical tips
- Book your stay ahead for weekends and long weekends — Kashid sells out, and walk-in rates spike.
- Carry cash. Mobile network and UPI can be patchy at the beach and at the forts; keep enough cash for boats, water sports and shacks. ATMs are limited, so withdraw in Alibaug or Murud.
- Start forts early. Janjira boats stop before the fort closes, and mornings are cooler for the walk up Korlai.
- Nearest hospitals are in Murud and Alibaug; carry a basic first-aid kit and any regular medicines.
- Solo and women travellers: Kashid is a busy, family-oriented beach and generally comfortable in daylight; as anywhere, avoid isolated stretches after dark and keep to lit, populated areas.
- Packing: in the dry season carry light cotton, swimwear, sunscreen, a hat and sandals; add a light rain layer if you travel near the monsoon edges.
Nearby places
| Place | Distance from Kashid | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Murud-Janjira | ~20 km | Unconquered island sea fort by sailboat |
| Korlai Fort & lighthouse | ~12 km | Portuguese fort, lighthouse, sea views |
| Nandgaon | Adjacent (north) | Quieter beach and homestays |
| Alibaug | ~26–30 km | Beaches, forts, ferry town |
| Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary | Inland | Birding and coastal forest |
Alibaug makes the easiest add-on if you arrive by ferry; our Alibaug guide covers its beaches and the Kolaba sea fort.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kashid Beach safe for swimming?
Kashid is safer than many Konkan beaches but still has currents and drop-offs. Swim only in the shallows where you can stand, during daylight when lifeguards are around, and never in rough seas or after the monsoon. Watch children closely and avoid alcohol before entering the water.
What is the best time to visit Kashid Beach?
October to March is the best time to visit Kashid Beach, with November to February the peak for cool, dry weather, calm seas and full water sports. Avoid the monsoon (June to September), when seas are rough, swimming is dangerous and water sports and the Janjira boat are suspended.
How do I reach Kashid from Mumbai?
Kashid is about 135 km from Mumbai, three to four hours by road via Panvel, Vadkhal and Alibaug. Alternatively, take a catamaran ferry from the Gateway of India to Mandwa (about 55–75 minutes), then drive roughly 1.5 hours down the coast. The nearest railhead is Roha.
What water sports are available at Kashid?
Kashid offers jet ski, banana-boat rides, speedboat rides and parasailing, run by private operators in the dry season, roughly 9 am to 6 pm. Prices vary and are set on the day. Insist on a lifejacket, agree the cost first, and skip any activity if the sea is rough or safety looks poor.
How do you visit Murud-Janjira fort from Kashid?
Murud-Janjira is about 20 km south of Kashid and is reached only by sailboat from the Rajapuri jetty near Murud. Fort entry is free; you pay for the round-trip boat. Go early, as boats stop before the fort closes around 6 pm, and note that boats do not run during the monsoon.
Is Kashid good for a weekend trip from Pune or Mumbai?
Yes. Kashid suits a relaxed one- to two-night beach weekend, with clean sand, sunsets, water sports and forts nearby. It pairs well with Alibaug and Murud on the same coastal road. Book your stay ahead for weekends and carry cash, as network and ATMs can be limited.
Last updated and sources
Kashid rewards travellers who want a calm, developed beach within a few hours of Mumbai or Pune, with forts and a wildlife sanctuary to fill a weekend. Come between October and March, put sea safety first, and book ahead.
Last updated: 29 September 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Maharashtra Tourism (Kashid beach listing); Wikipedia, Kashid (used to locate primary details); Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary official site; Holidify, Murud-Janjira fort; Directorate General of Lighthouses & Lightships (Korlai); Mumbai–Alibaug (Mandwa) ferry schedule; Thrillophilia, Kashid beach (water sports, access). Accessed September 2026.
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