Description:
Mumbai is an island gifted with a vast and beautiful sea coast of the Arabian Sea. Earlier being the major port, now the trade activities have been centralized in one area. The chowpatty is the highlight of the beaches of Mumbai.
A sea shore with few hawkers selling goodies is chowpatty in the Mumbai lingo. There are many sea shores but only three chowpattys in Mumbai. The only present in central or the south Mumbai is the Girgaon Chowpatty. The Dadar Chowpatty is in the central part of Mumbai and the Juhu Chowpatty is the suburban part of Mumbai. Along with the fresh breeze and the sunset and sand, one can enjoy horse and camel rides and taste bud tickling goodies from the hawkers.
For the real sea and sand freak there are the twin Beaches of Marve and Manori. The beautiful but far off beaches (nearly 60 kms. from the main city) are a must visit. There are ferry services to Marve and Manori beaches. Across the creek from Manori, on the mainland, is Marve, the retreat of Mumbai's beau monde. This is where most of India's big industrial houses have their weekend bungalows. The sand is clean and the sea water is clear here.
Gorai beach too is a beautiful beach with the nearby villagers taking the responsibility of your lodging and boarding. Further down is the Erangal beach, equally clean and serene. It has the local fisher folk staying there. At its southern tip is a seventeenth century Portuguese fort.
You will find the two Mandwa and Kihim beaches, 12 miles north of Alibaug on the north coast and easily accessible from Mumbai. Both are beautiful, untrodden beaches. On a clear day one can enjoy a long, breathtaking view across the bay, up to the Gateway of India.
