When you are looking for one day outing with family and friends but do not want to travel a lot then I have one destination for you. It is beautiful, natural, serene and not crowded as other places in Mumbai. The name of this place is Arnala Beach. It is located at the north of Mumbai at a distance of about 65 kilometers close to Virar in Thane district of Mumbai. The Arnala Beach is not only a beach but a picturesque location. Situated close to Mumbai city, this beach is one of the magnificent beaches around and has plenty of coconut trees. It is really a pleasant experience to find such a splendid place so close to a metro city.The climate here may be warm but the cool breeze makes it comfortable and pleasant. If you want to enjoy the beauty of the place a little longer then you can stay at the resorts or hotels situated close to the beach with almost all amenities to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable. Some of the popular resorts here include Anand Resort, C Beach Resort, Sagar Resort, Arnala Sea Lord Resort, etc. If you want to rest for few hours, you have the option of renting a small cottage near the beach by paying Rs. 100 to Rs. 200 per hour depending on the quality of accommodation.No one needs to tell you how to enjoy at the beach. This beach is no exception. Walking along the beach, relaxing, enjoying the surroundings or indulging in adventurous sport like paragliding at the beach are some of the common activities. For paragliding adventure you are charged an average Rs. 300 for a fifteen minute ride in the sky.The water at the beach is not favorable for swimming and that is why you should avoid trying swimming here as the depth in the water is quite dangerous at some parts. For small kids camel ride is also available on the beach at a cost of Rs. 30 to Rs. 50 depending on the season and crowd. If you are on a serene beach and do not tickle your taste buds, it is just impossible. Bhel puri, pani puri and other such Mumbaia snacks are must for any visitor here. In monsoon season, it is irresistible to avoid the boiled or roasted sweet corn at the beach. The coconut water known as Nariyal Pani is the most hygienic form of water in the world. Just wash the straw before sipping the water in. It is a pleasure to enjoy this sweet and cool water of coconut at the beach.If you are done with the beach pleasure then you can explore the surroundings further. There is a fort situated on a small island off the Arnala Port just twelve kilometers in the north of Vasai. It is known as Arnala Fort but some other names are also given to this ancient historic fort like ‘Jaldurg’ (means a fort in the water), ‘Janjire Arnala’, etc. Surrounded by water this ancient fort was initially owned by the Muslim rulers from Gujarat then later on captured by Portuguese and they ruled this fort for a long time. Another attraction in the vicinity is Jivdani Mata Temple situated on a mountain in Virar and can be reached by climbing 1375 steps. From the top you can see the panoramic view of the surrounding areas. Vajreshwari and Ganeshpuri are nearby places known for their old shrines. Another attraction nearby is the hot water spring at Sativali Village. This hot water spring is quite clean and natural. It is believed and found in ancient scriptures that this place is visited by Lord Rama and Lord Parshuram. This place can be reached using National Highway 8 from Virar towards Gujarat.AccessibilityOne can reach at Arnala Beach by train, auto rickshaw, taxi or private vehicle. The local trains in Mumbai are the cheapest option. One can take train from different parts of Mumbai to reach Virar, the last station on Western Railway. From Virar a shared auto or private auto can be hired to reach Arnala Beach which is just sixteen kilometers from Virar. Alternatively you can use you private vehicle or hire a private cab to reach the destination, Arnala. Vasai is another close by station situated at a distance of just twelve kilometers from Arnala Beach.RUCHI MAHAJAN