Located in Thane, Maharashtra, India, Kelwa Beach is also sometimes referred to locally as Kelva Beach. Beach is big and stretches pretty far facing the Indian Ocean. For the residents of Mumbai who want to get a little weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life, Kelwa Beach offers a pretty nice respite from the rigors of living in a crowded city. Although, not as popular as per international tourist standards, Kelwa Beach is slowly becoming more and more popular due to word of mouth as it is only about an hours’ drive from Mumbai. The community here is small with many locals being involved in fishing or local agriculture but as tourism grows, so does the industry. If you’re in the area here is our guide to Kelwa Beach, Thane.
Thane offers plenty of activities for everyone - check out our recommendations on best things to do when you’re visiting this destination.
Things to do
Thane experiences similar weather to that of Mumbai only slightly cooler according to locals. Seeing as this is a beach, the area is generally pretty open to anyone coming to hang out and be near the waters. Grab some friends and food and have a picnic or try getting a boat and engaging in fishing. Of course, if you’re into exploring the area and looking into some local history there are pretty cool attractions around as well.
Kelva Beach Fort
This fort was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and is located more towards the southern end of the beach. The area around here is pretty calm with beautiful natural surroundings of water and lush greenery of the trees. It also makes for a beautiful spot to watch the sunset over the water.
Kelva Pankot Fort
This fort is something a little more special and requires good timing to visit. The fort is located in the middle of the water and can only be accessed during low-tide. If you can make it here, the views are spectacular with 360-degree views of the water and coastline. This fort was also built by the Portuguese to keep an eye on both the creek and the ocean. The fort is still explorable but consider taking a boat with you if you plan on visiting.
Shitladevi Temple
No one really knows when for sure the temple was built but it was restored a couple of times over the years, one being 300 years ago and the other being as recent as 1986. The idol of the goddess here is carved out from an unbroken stone and is quite a colorful sight to behold. It is said that she ails illnesses and ailments and looks fondly upon her devotees.
What to eat
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Since Kelwa Beach is slowly getting more and more tourists with each passing month, the industry has picked up significantly around the area. If you’re looking for some great options for eating, you won’t go hungry.
Shagun Seaside
Located inside a local hotel, Shagun Seaside offers some of the best food right on the water. A perfect spot for people with or without kids and their menu has both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. For the early risers, they also serve breakfast so you can start your day on the right foot.
Street Food Fever
Serving up some of the best Indian street food as well as classics from abroad, this little eatery is favored by many locals. Their shawarma seems to be the most popular dish and they have both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Grab a quick bite and enjoy a little picnic on the beach.
Gola
Serving up more Indian favorites is the classic sweet treat of gola. Ice gola is a perfect snack on a hot summer day. Made up of shaved iced that are usually flavored with some sweet syrups and a stick to hold it all together. Similar to snow cones in the west, the Gola on Kelwa Beach is a local favorite.
Travelers tips
Learn a little Hindi
Although English is widely spoken in Maharashtra, if you’re visiting from a foreign country, it might be wise to learn a little Hindi before you come. Many visitors from Mumbai come to Kelwa Beach who likely speak both but because the area around here is a lot smaller, it might be wise to learn some Hindi in case you come across a local who doesn’t speak English.
Head to the beach on a weekday
Since the popularity of the beach is only increasing, many people from Mumbai head here on the weekends filling up the beach and crowding the local spaces. Not that there’s necessarily a problem with that, but if you’re looking for a quieter experience and more peaceful beach trip, consider heading over on the weekdays when there are fewer tourists around and accommodations may be more affordable.
How to get there
By car
Getting around town is not too difficult and getting in and out of the area is pretty simple as well. Kelwa Beach is about 80 km (50 mi) north of Mumbai so if you’re driving you can easily get there by car. Parking can be found in or at most accommodations in town.
By train
About 5 km (3 mi) away from the beach is Kelve Road Station that operates a direct train from the Western Line of Mumbai Suburban Railway network. So if you’re coming from the city and don’t want to take your car, the train is easily one of the best options.
Where to stay on Kelwa Beach (from USD 242)
Opt for this spacious villa to spend some relaxing days by the beach. Located about a couple of hours from the heart of the city, this property is ideal for a family or a group of friends. There’s plenty to keep you busy - explore the nearby forts or the temple, go for the watersports available on the beach, or simply enjoy the tranquil strolls.
Kelwa PALGHAR, Maharashtra, India
1.43 km (0.9 mi) from Kelva BeachAccommodates: 12
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the breakfast patio/shaded courtyard is an amazing placei felt like a few more amenities would have been nice in the rooms for the pricethe rooms themselves are basic but were maintained wellCleanliness:
the beach is clean and has some unique vistas as the tide comes in or recedesHost:
the owner and caretaker were very helpfulthe staff there was also super efficientthe staff is extremely friendly and helpfulsuper helpful staff - rohit and akshayhost kayzad was really helpful from the start and took care of all needs and queries promptlyRead more reviewsLocation:
amazing location with direct access to the beachit is a lovely location overseeing the beachit is a beautiful location on the shorepros - very peaceful location right on the beach with strong winds blowing throughout the dayhope to visit this place again soon
Kelwa Beach information
Kelwa Beach
Address: Kelwa Beach, Maharashtra, India
Official website: Kelva Beach
Department of tourism: Visit Maharashtra
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
History
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