Alibaug is a weekend destination quite popular among beach lovers. Alibaug which was developed in seventeenth century by the naval chief of Shivaji named Sarkhel Kanhoji Angreis, a small town on the coast in the Raigad district in Konkan region of Maharashtra state in India. Alibaug is famous for its multiple beaches just minutes away from one another. Few years back it was very neat and clean beach showcasing natural bliss all around but today it has become a bit crowded as many and many people are discovering and exploring it as it is just hours away from two major developed cities of India named Mumbai and Pune. The main Alibaug beach is a black sand beach with plenty of sea shells in the water and sand. There are a series of beaches throughout the coast line of Konkan area. The special orange coloured coconuts are attractive here. When I asked one of the coconut sellers what is the difference between the green coconut and orange coconut? He said looking at me that the orange one is more nutritious than the other one. I took one and tasted and found that apart from colour the other difference is in the price. I wasn’t sure about the nutrition.You do find big and small rocks on the shore. They give a romantic look to the beach but I found them a bit sharp as I tried to sit on one of them. The magic on beach can be seen in few hours as the width of beach changes before you realise. The sunset is amazingly beautiful and nature makes the best ever coloured paintings on the sky at that time. It is unexplainable in words the wonderful experience of watching the sunset along with the melodious music of waves in rhythm. The water sports are quite popular on these beaches as it is a thrilling experience to try one of these. You can also enjoy horse rides and paragliding activities apart from water fun.The other major attraction here is Colaba Fort which is standing in the sea near Alibaug main beach. There is a very minimum charge by the Archaeological Survey of India for visiting the place. When you reach the fort first you see the main entrance that is called Mahadarwaja. You do find some chambers almost in ruins, secret places, two – three temples, few cannons (big guns) on height, a water reservoir, watch holes to keep an eye on the outside of fort. It is interesting and gives birth to curiosity in kids to know more about the place and history. This fort is open throughout the year.The distance between the fort and the beach is just one kilometre and can be reached in just five minutes or less than that by motor boats which are available in plenty there. They charge Rs.100 per person for a two way. This is really enjoyable as you get wet by the very salty sea water splash through high speed motor boats. It is said that one can go to the fort only when there is a low tide but when inquired about it just out of curiosity I came to know that they ferry all through the day to the fort and these people were too busy to give me further clarification about high tide boat rides. I saw people carelessly sitting in the speeding boat without a life jacket. I do request all the people whether they know swimming or not but should not take any risk and must insist on a life jacket while riding on a boat as the life is precious and you don’t know when the accident can happen.How to reach Alibaug?If you are from Mumbai then it is just one hour ferry ride from the gate way of India. From Pune it takes three and half hours to reach Alibaug. It is the nearest beach from Mumbai as well as Pune. From Pune the distance to Alibaug is 140 kilometres. The road is almost good as on few patches you need to be careful. Alibaug is 30 kilometres south of Mumbai.AccommodationThere are plenty of hotels, luxury accommodations as well as resorts available to enjoy the stay here. You may get the choicest cottages for an extraordinary feeling. People have turned their homes into tourist accommodations to make them a source of income.Route from Pune to AlibaugOne needs to take Pune Mumbai expressway from Pune towards Lonavala then from Khopoli take the exit on expressway and go towards Pen. It is 30 kilometres from here to Pen. From Wadkal Naka catch the Alibaug express highway to reach Alibaug.Route from Mumbai to AlibuagMumbai to Alibaug is only a hundred Kilometer journey which leads via Panvel-Edappalli Expressway and Mumbai-Goa Highway. Once you are on the Mumabi-Goa highway you will need to take a turn near Wadkal which will take you away from Mumbai-Goa highway on Alibaug Highway to reach to Alibaug.Humble requestI personally request to all visitors of these natural places to be kind to the environment and try to keep these beaches clean and waste free. After all it is our mother nature who blessed us with such beautiful gifts to refresh our souls.Ruchi Mahajan