Best Beaches in Mumbai

The most popular beach in Mumbai, Juhu is located close to Andheri and is the desired location for many film shoots. It is the longest beach in Mumbai and is renowned for the wide variety of street food one can find. The nearby area of Juhu is a posh locality in Mumbai, home to a lot of famous Bollywood and TV celebrities - the most famous being Amitabh Bachchan's bungalow. It is common to spot a celebrity jogging on the beach, as this beachside is one of the most popular jogging sites in Mumbai.

Type of Beach: Public beach
Things to Do: Morning jogs, beach games, watch a play at nearby Prithvi Cafe
Eating Options: Many stalls and vendors can be found near the beach serving Mumbai's iconic dishes
Location: Andheri, close to Andheri and Santa Cruz Lines local station.

Popularly known as Chaupati, the Girgaum Chowpatty beach is located in southern Mumbai along the western railway route. This small sandy beach is a superb place to chill, and a must-visit for all tourists who are visiting Marine Drive for the first time. At night, the beach appears to look like a colourful fair. Children from all age groups rush to ride the Ferris wheel and merry-go-rounds, while the adults indulge in the city's famous street snacks.

Type of Beach: Public beach
Things to Do: Laze at the beach, shop at local markets nearby, ferries wheel and merry-go-round rides for kids
Eating Options: Many stalls and vendors can be found near the beachside serving street food and fastfood.
Location: South Bombay, close to Marine Lines local station.

Starting from the north of Nariman Point and ending at the famous Chowpatty beach, the Marine Drive is a 3 km long arc-shaped road along the seacoast of South Mumbai. It is regarded as the best place to watch the sunset in Mumbai. Not technically a beach, it is actually a favourite waterside hangout spot for Mumbaikars. The Marine Drive is also known as the Queen's necklace on account of its shape and yellow streetlights.

Type of Beach: Public beach
Things to Do: Walk along the promenade, sit and laze in the evenings.
Location: South Bombay, close to Churchgate local station.

A continuation of Juhu Beach towards the Andheri suburbs, Versova Beach is comparatively less crowded and only separated by a creek from the former beach. Versova is essentially a fishing village inhabited by Kolis (fisherfolks) situated in the vicinity of the beach and is a hotbed for fish trade. The beach is rather small but is extremely popular for the humongous fish market and the fish auctions held at the spot on a daily basis.

Type of Beach: Public beach
Things to Do: Horse rides, cycling at the beach, beach picnics
Eating Options: North Indian Street food vendors can be found in plenty.
Location: Versova, close to Andheri local station

Home to umpteen villages, farmlands and surreal vistas, is the locale of Madh Island in Mumbai. Clustered with quaint fisher villages and dotted with lush green farms, Madh Island can be reached by an hour drive from Mumbai. Considered to house one of the cleanest beaches in all of Mumbai, the neighbourhood is surrounded by the Arabian Sea on the west and Malad Creek on the east. It also has several luxury resorts which are popular among families, for business meets and corporate vacations.

Type of Beach: Public beach
Things to Do: Beach picnics, laze at the beach
Eating Options: Seafood stalls can be found near the beach
Location: Madh Island, close to Kandivali local station. 30 km from the city centre

Located a little on the outskirts of the city in Malad, Aksa Beach is an unparalleled oasis located close to Marve beach. The coastline is one of the longest in the city and offers an extremely vivid and surreal panorama of the merging horizon ahead. The beach, no doubt, owes most of its fame to the Bollywood song 'Tujhe Aksa Beach ghuma du'.

Type of Beach: Public beach
Things to Do: Swimming (waters are clean and calm), beach picnics. 
Eating Options: Many small stalls can be found selling street food, fruits and fast-food. Several chic cafes and restaurants can be found nearby.
Location: 27 km from the city centre. Kandivali station is the closest local railway station.

Continued after Arnala Beach, Navapura Beach and Rajodi Beach, Kalamb Beach is comparatively less crowded and is considered to be one of the cleaner beaches in Mumbai. Hemmed with pretty palm trees, lined with homestays and guesthouses and blessed with silken black sand, the beach is an absolute treat to just laze around in a hammock or sunbathe under the open skies. The beach also offers activities such as parasailing, camel rides, horse rides etc.

Type of Beach: Public beach
Things to Do: Parasailing, camel rides, horse rides, overnight stays at a homestay.
Eating Options: Street food carts can be found in plenty.
Location: Around 68km from Mumbai - via Eastern Express Hwy/Mumbai - Agra National Hwy and NH 48

Gorai Beach is one of the most frequented beaches near Mumbai. Located near Bhayandar, on the Gorai Creek, the soothing calmness of this beach makes for a perfect weekend getaway spot from Mumbai. Other than the few food shacks and street food options available at the spot, the beach is also home to nearby resorts and beach houses.

Type of Beach: Public beach
Things to Do: Beach picnics, visitors can drive their cars and bikes on the beach.
Eating Options: Food stalls are few in number. It is advisable to take one's own food.
Location: Close to Kandivali station. 40 Km from the city centre

As the name suggests, Dadar Chowpatty Beach is situated in the Dadar suburbs of Mumbai. Majorly popular for the giant view of the Bandra Worli Sea Link bridge, this beach is customarily used for jogging and watching beautiful sunsets. Located in South Bombay, the beach is frequented by locals coming for an evening stroll, early morning yoga or to spend some leisure time.

Type of Beach: Public beach
Things to Do: Horse rides, cycling at the beach, beach picnics
Eating Options: Very few stalls are available which are open on random days. Advisable to take one's own food.
Location: near Dadar Local Railway Station

Away from the industrial pollution and the chaotic city life, Marve Beach is situated in Malad, in the western suburbs of Mumbai. Due to the strong tides and currents, it is generally not recommended to swim in the sea waters. Lined by cashew nut trees and elite villas, the beach is a charming spot to spend some quiet time with your loved ones. Mostly frequented by couples owing to the romantic appeal and idyllic setting, the beach is also visited by college troupes and families occasionally.

Type of Beach: Public beach
Things to Do: Boating to the Buddhist Meditation centre, parasailing, beach picnics
Eating Options: Street food carts can be found in plenty.
Location: Close to Kandivali station. 25 Km from the city centre

Situated at the end of Navi Mumbai, Uran lies in the Konkan division between Panvel and Karjat. Primarily a tiny fishing and agriculture village, Uran has several beaches to its attribute - the most popular of which are Pirvad, Mankeshwar and ONGC. Pirvad is the most frequented beach, with plenty of tourists visiting it every day. Mankeshwar on the other hand is considered to be a religious beach owing to the grand temple of Lord Shiva situated at the seaside itself.

Type of Beach: Public beach
Location: Around 36km from Mumbai (via Bengaluru - Mumbai Hwy/Mumbai Hwy/Mumbai - Pandharpur Rd/Mumbai - Pune Hwy/Sion - Panvel Expy and NH348A)

If one is looking for a quiet, calm and serene beach in Mumbai, then Manori Beach is the place. It is relatively cleaner than the other beaches in Mumbai. Essel World, a well-known amusement park in Mumbai, is located at a very small distance from Manori. Fishing activities also occur frequently at the Beach. 

Type of Beach: Public beach
Things to Do: Beach picnics, overnight stay at nearby stays and resorts
Location: Manori Island, close to Kandivali station. 50 Km from Mumbai city centre