BEACHES, Mumbai

The Koli fishing boats at Versova from the Madh Island ferry.

“The firshermen were here first. Before the East India Company built its fort…..the fishermen who were the Kolis – sailed Arab dhows, spreading red sails against the setting sun, They caught pomfret and crabs, and made fish lovers of us all”.

Salman Rushdie, Midnights Children

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Juhu beach is the largest beach in Mumbai. At least 10 times bigger than Chowpatty beach. It is in the northern part of the city, and the area is very populated. There are many people on the beach at sunset and in the nights untill 10 PM. Small cafes and basic stalls are located many places on the beach, and people amuse themselves with different activities.

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Juhu beach is the largest beach in Mumbai. At least 10 times bigger than Chowpatty beach. It is in the northern part of the city, and the area is very populated. There are many people on the beach at sunset and in the nights untill 10 PM. Small cafes and basic stalls are located many places on the beach, and people amuse themselves with different activities.

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Chowpatty beach is together with Juhu beach Mumbai's most famous beach. It is a hangout for especially young people in Mumbai. Chowpatty beach is not as big as Juhu beach, but it is more crowded. Small cafes and stalls are located on the entrance from the Marine drive and down to the beach.
The beach is in the middle of a polluted city, so don't expect a tropical beach. Even though I found the place relative clean. The atmosphere is very Indian with a different context for a western visitor. Sometimes a bit frightening to experience the difference. Both poor and middle class people find their way to this beach. There are no sunbeds on the beach and the water is too polluted for a bath. Indian people don't take off their clothes on the beach.

first thing that amazed me about this lake was that, despite been located in such a crowded city, this lake is very clean and unpolluted.

This lake is surrounded by various other intersting places, like Hira Nandani and IIT Bombay

In a city like Mumbai, which is so much crowded, this lake provides you a moment of peace. And a walk through the IIT Bombay to the lake is very peaceful and soothing walk, you never realize that you are in a city with a population of more than 17 million.

Madh Island is essentially a cluster of some old-world fishing villages and farmlands, nestled cozily on the north-west coast of Mumbai.Though not recommended for swimming, the beach is apt as an escapade.
Madh Fort, which is said to be built by the Portuguese, is the prime attraction of the beach. Earlier used as a watchtower, the fort was later used as a training encampment for cadets
one can actually walk across the sands from Dana Paani Beach in Erangal to Aksa Beach

Madh Island Beach is a place that is close to nature and makes a perfect hangout for solitude lovers.

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Located at the northern end of Marine Drive, Chowpatty Beach is a tranquil sandy beach in the heart of Bombay. Beach it is, but bathing suits are a definite a no-no and so is swimming, due to the heavily polluted waters. Nevertheless, many Indian families come to their city's most famous beach for relaxation. It is definitely a great location for people watching, and a peaceful stroll on the sand. The curved beach is open to the Arabian Sea, and graced by views over Colaba on one side and Malabar Hill on the other.

The ‘City of Dreams’, Mumbai is blessed with a long coastline and the various sun kissed beaches here have been the venue for my workout. Every morning I visit these beaches for fresh air and joining my buddies for jogging. One such beach is the famous Juhu beach. This is a place full of life and is a bourgeois paradise for those desiring to enjoy a cup of coffee and a splendid view of the beach outside the luxury air conditioned apartments.

Also my personal favorite is a quick getaway from the city life is Gorai beach which is situated in Gorai Creek and basically is the perfect place for enjoying a full pristine sunrise and sunset view. The best way to reach here is through a ferry ride which takes you around four kilometers away from the main city. It is a comparatively less crowded and cleaner beach and thus is apt for enjoying a swim in the clear waters. People here are friendly making the night life at this place one of the most fun filled ones. It is very famous amongst tourists and thus there is a very huge availability of modes of accommodation.