Manori Beach

Tucked away neatly in the quaint village of Manori in northern Mumbai, this beach is a perfect weekend getaway from the ruckus of city life. The inviting stretch of sand, the open blue of roaring waters and the beauty of the serene atmosphere makes it a popular picnic spot.

Manori Beach is often known as “Mini-Goa”, not only because of its beautiful white stretches of land but also because of a number of quaint, beautiful churches that dot the beachside. The beach also witnesses an amalgamation of different religions and culture, being home to the Samudreshwar Temple, the Buddhist Pagoda and even the Sufi Dargah. The beauty of the place is further enhanced by a thick grove of cashew trees and ample greenery that covers the place.

The beach becomes even more scenic during the nights, where one can enjoy barbeques or even simply lay on mats and enjoy the open starry skies. The beach also has a number of hammocks for use by visitors.

There are a number of sea-side restaurants and shacks offering scrumptious food up for grabs. They are especially popular for their seafood options, which are made from fresh produce caught from the sea. Manori Beach itself is a popular fishing destination for locals, and most of the catch is used for cooking at these food stalls.

The Best time to visit Manori Beach is in the months of autumn or winter. That is, between the months of October and March. During this time of the year, the weather is cool and pleasant, and the humidity levels relatively less, allowing one to enjoy the outdoors at the beach to its fullest. Although many prefer to enjoy the sea-experience during the summer months, Mumbai is prey to extremely intense summer weather and heavy showers in monsoons, and it would be advisable to avoid these months to enjoy a perfect beachside experience.

Location: Manori Gorai Road, Kandivali West, Mumbai 400092, India

Timing: There is no fixed timing of Manori Beach. However, it takes between 1-2 hours to explore and enjoy the beach, so visitors must plan and decide accordingly.

Places to Visit Near Manori Beach:

-Global Vipassana Pagoda: Home to around 8,000 Vipassana practitioners, Global Vipassana Pagoda is a meditation hall in Gorai, Mumbai. The dome-shaped architecture is a quiet meditation hall, with a capacity to accommodate 8,000 devotees. This quiet and serene meditation palace is one of the largest structures in the world that contains the bone-relics of Buddha. Stretching across a vast 13 acres of land, this abode of tranquillity is a must-visit for those seeking peace of mind.

-Samudreshwar Temple: Located at the mouth of the Marve-Manori Jetty on Manori Beach is the Samudreshwar Temple, a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Although the Temple is closed for entry, the structure, built in the style of the traditional Maharasthran Koli architecture, is worth seeing. 

-The Sufi Dargah: Nestled in Manori, this quiet Dargah is a Sufi place of worship mostly frequented by the devotees. The traditional, serene Sufi music emanating from the Dargah makes the beachside experience more peaceful and enjoyable.

-Essel World and Water Kingdom: Located around 2 kms away from Manori Beach, Essel World and Water Kingdom is one of the most popular amusement parks in the country and one of the largest ones in Asia. With a wide variety of inland as well as water-based rides and attractions, this entertainment centre is popular with people of all ages, especially kids.

Tips for Visiting Manori Beach:

-There is no ATM in or around Manori Beach. The few ATMs available here usually run out of money soon. Therefore, it would be advisable to carry a certain amount of cash while going to the beach.

-There is ample parking space available at the beach. Hence, one need not look for external parking or park at a distance for visiting the beach.

-The beach does not offer any adventure rides or sport options. One must carry their own games or sports equipment. 

-Although camping on the beach is not against the law, it is advisable not to do so, as it can get pretty chilly by the beachside and also, Manori Beach does not enforce any safety protocols..

From Airport-

The beach is located around 19 kms away from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport in Mumbai. The best way to reach the beach from the airport would be via private cars or cabs, as public transport is a bit sparse on this route. However, if one desires to take a public vehicle, then taking a bus would be the best option, as several buses take this route. One can also take a train to the Borivali station, which is only 7kms away from Manori Beach, and then take a bus or an auto to the beach.