(And they’re all less than 200 km away!)
When we think of beaches it’s mostly the ones in Goa that come to mind. But Maharashtra’s Konkan Coast has a large number of beaches that offer the same experience, sometimes even better because they’re not stuffed with people. And quite a few of these are less than 200 km from Mahabaleshwar – another tourist spot in the state. So if you are planning a visit to Mahabaleshwar, put some of these beautiful beaches near Mahabaleshwar on your itinerary and make the most of your holiday!
Beaches near Mahabaleshwar
1. Harihareshwar Beach
Harihareshwar Beach | #1 of 9 Beaches near Mahabaleshwar
A picture postcard beach covered with silvery sand, Harihareshwar is a holidaymaker’s paradise. Unspoilt, not very crowded and quite clean, this is one of the best beaches near Mahabaleshwar that you must visit. Located in the town of Harihareshwar, also known as Dev Ghar or temple town, the beach is perfect for long strolls, making sand castles and just relaxing with friends and family. Want your beach day to be more thrilling? Try your hand at some water sports like jet skis, banana boats or a motorboat ride. You must also visit the ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva on the northern end of the town. There is another smaller temple here, dedicated to Kalabhairava which is worth seeing.
- Distance from Mahabaleshwar: 132.9 km
2. Diveagar Beach
Harihareshwar Beach | #2 of 9 Beaches near Mahabaleshwar
Another beautiful beach near Mahabaleshwar that is a must-visit is the serene Diveagar Beach on the Konkan coast. Even though there’ve been jellyfish sightings (and stings!) recently, it hasn’t stopped beach lovers from visiting this 4-km stretch of shimmering sand yoked to the Arabian Sea. The town is mostly a small fishing village with a bunch of mid-sized resorts that cater to tourists. You can find several water sporting options on the beach, buggy rides in the evening and some food stalls that serve easy eats like Maggi and Vada Pav (perfect beach food, in our humble opinion!) What more do you need for a beach vacation? Diveagar is also home to ancient ruins from the Shilahara Dynasty period worth a visit as is the Ganapati Temple built in the typical Konkani-style architecture.
- Distance from Mahabaleshwar: 131.3 Km
3. Anjarle
Anjarle Beach | #3 of 9 Beaches near Mahabaleshwar
Vast swathes of powdery white sand, clean waters and nearly zero crowds welcome you to the Anjarle Beach in Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri district. Lesser known among all the beaches near Mahabaleshwar, Anjarle immediately captures your imagination with its scenic beauty and the promise of hours of fun in the company of nature. The Jog river forms an estuary on the Arabian Sea here and there’s a rich ecosystem for you to explore. One of the biggest events in this mostly un-commercialized beach is the hatching of the Olive Ridley Turtles that nest here. You must also visit the famed Kadyavarcha Ganpati – an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha and the nearby Swarnadurga Fort.
- Distance from Mahabaleshwar: 106.6 Km
4. Kelshi
We don’t often look at beaches other than the ones in Goa but the Konkan coastline is full of hidden gems like Kelshi, one of the most beautiful beaches near Mahabaleshwar. A pristine swathe of sand and crystal clear waters make Kelshi a delight to visit as does the small fishing village that abuts it. A fun thing to do here, besides parking yourself on the beach for all eternity, is to go to the fish market early in the morning and catch the catch of the day. Have it cooked by a local cook and enjoy your meal on the beach! How’s that for a bespoke holiday? The beach is one of the cleanest you’d have ever seen and the sand is steady for up to half a kilometre into the sea…you can actually walk into the sea here! The charming town of Kelshi is a typical Konkani village that transports you to another era with its mud thatched houses and coconut groves. Kelshi is more than just a beach near Mahabaleshwar because it’s also home to a beautiful 300-year-old Mahalaxmi Temple and the revered Yakub Baba’s Dargah. Carry your binoculars because the beach and the tree line are also great places for bird watching.
- Distance from Mahabaleshwar: 109.8 Km
5. Guhagar
Anjarle Beach | #5 of 9 Beaches near Mahabaleshwar
A seemingly endless beach, Guhagar was made for languid days. Stretching up to nearly 6 km, this wonderful beach near Mahabaleshwar is where you land when you slide off the tourist map. Go to Guhagar to experience real Konkan village life, hear the locals’ stories about the times when the infamous Enron plant was being constructed here, for the fresh seafood laden thalis they invite you to sample in their homes and for the mysterious ancient walls discovered in the sea here. The Vashishti River meets the sea here and the confluence is a beautiful natural event to behold and remember. If you had only time to visit one beach near Mahabaleshwar, we would recommend Guhagar.
FabHotels Protip: Just a 15-km drive from Guhagar will bring you to Hedvi, a truly unspoilt beach hidden from view from the main road. It’s more a sandbar than a beach really, and what you really need to see here is the Bamangal Blowhole – a really intriguing rock formation that pools up the sea water, throwing it over a rock to result in a beautiful waterfall!
- Distance from Mahabaleshwar: 151.0 Km
6. Ganpatiphule
Ganpatiphule | #6 of 9 Beaches near Mahabaleshwar
Idyllic, serene, tranquil….there’s an endless list of adjectives that can be used to describe Ganpatiphule – one of the most popular beaches near Mahabaleshwar. The beach town sits pretty in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra and is frequented by holidaymakers as well as devotees of Lord Ganesh (after whom the town is named) who come here for its white sand beach and the striking Swayambhu Ganpati Temple. Several water sports options are available here and you could try your hand at everything from snorkelling and scuba diving to jet skiing and motorboat rides. Camel rides are also available on the beach and there are many food stalls to satisfy the foodie in you.
- Distance from Mahabaleshwar: 194.0 Km
7. Kashid
Kashid | #7 of 9 Beaches near Mahabaleshwar
Hugging the shores of the Arabian Sea is another gem on the Konkan Coast – Kashid Beach. One of the most-visited beaches near Mahabaleshwar, Kashid Beach is framed by tall trees on one side and shimmering blue waters on the other. A perfect beach getaway from Mahabaleshwar, Kashid is great for family picnics, enjoying water sports and long walks along the beach watching the sunset. Shacks on the shore sell delicious snacks and the beach is mostly clean and well-kept. While you are in Kashid it would be a good idea to drive about 10 km to the Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary that is home to various species of birds and animals.
- Distance from Mahabaleshwar: 167.3 Km
8. Revdanda
Revdanda | #8 of 9 Beaches near Mahabaleshwar
Secluded, pretty as a picture and steeped in history, Revdanda Beach will be one of the most exciting beaches near Mahabaleshwar you could visit for a weekend. The beach itself is a 5-km stretch of sand lined by coconut trees and a place where you can easily get the hubbub of the city off your mind. The little town of Revdanda is historically important – there’s a Portuguese Korlai Fort (now mostly in ruins) where St. Francis Xavier is believed to have delivered his first sermon on Indian soil, the unusual Bet El Jewish Synagogue built in Konkan-style architecture (the town is where a batch of Jews fleeing persecution are supposed to have found a haven) and is supposed to be the place where the first Russian traveller to India, Afanasy Nikitin, landed. Ready to go?
- Distance from Mahabaleshwar: 160.8 Km
9. Karde
Karde Beach | #9 of 9 Beaches near Mahabaleshwar
One of the most fun beaches near Mahabaleshwar is Karde Beach, just a little distance from Murud Beach, it’s more famous cousin. Clean, peaceful and not too commercialized, Karde Beach is for spending long hours playing on the sands, some quiet time, thrilling water sports and sampling shack food. If you get here early in the mornings you could hire a boat to go out on the sea and catch a school of frolicking dolphins too!
- Distance from Mahabaleshwar: 107.5 Km
Read our blog on mesmerising waterfalls in Mahabaleshwar.
Some other beaches near Mahabaleshwar you could visit are Murud Harnai, Nagaon and Kihim. Most beaches on the Konkan coast are clean with clear, welcoming waters and low on crowds. It’s quite a buzz to have a beach mostly to yourself, isn’t it? If you think there’s another beach near Mahabaleshwar we’ve missed out on, tell us about it in comments below.
