Seeing is believing. Review on Kashid Beach, Kashid

After visiting beaches of Juhu, Gorai, Kihim & Alibaug, you must be tired of visualizing a sea beach which is not far like Ganpatipulre or Goa, which is clean, which is sandy and which is not thronged by many visitors. You should never compromise the thought of comparing it with Ganapatipule or Goa, because there is every reason not to lose heart as such a beautiful beach really exists nearby !

It is Kashid, just 15 km before Murud (of Janjira Fort fame) and from our Cheddanagar Transit Camp, about 128 km. Head towards Pune expressway, but leave it that way and take a turn towards Panvel instead to reach its ever congested bypass area, then take right further down the road to be on Goa (Panaji) highway.

Head straight till you reach Vadakhal, then take the straight road ahead for Alibaug. At the entrance of Alibaug town itself, take left towards Kashid/Murud. After Revadanda?s narrow lanes, take right, cross the bridge over the creek and then take next right for Kashid./Murud. The Arbian sea with its misty charm will now be your company all throughout. However, it is worth to mention that the road signs are not very user friendly in this part and it is always advisible to obtain direction in case of any confusion if you are a new revelers.

The sea beaches are generally polluted by those who stay nearby. The live example is the beach at Murud. The huge natural drain which carries the waste water and dirts are clearly seen from the approach of the town ? when you are about to reach the place. The view is available because you are on the hillock near the approach of the town.

The black muddy water spreads itself to whole of the beach and wherever you put your foot down on the beach, you just encounter the muddy slits. Had it not been due to the reasonably effective natural process of de-cleansing, the place would have been smelling like hell - making it a perfect filthy beach. However, the icing in the cake is the Chinese food joints by the side on the sea-face at Murud which are good place to try some mouth watering preparations.

Unspoilt by such filthiness is the Kashid beach. Unless you see it with your own eyes, you would probably never agree that such a beach may exist nearby. The stretch is right on the roadside connecting Alibaug with Murud - a 2 km long necklace made of pure golden sand just popping out of nowhere between rocky beaches on both sides.

The water is clean, the surf is just game, the rush of visitors is almost non existent, the shadow of pine trees alongwith the hammocks and chairs adjacent to the tea stalls are just sufficient to make the treat great. You play in the water, get tired, come back to relax with either tea, bottled or natural coconut water (with malai as bonus!). By the time, it will be lunch time and it would be great if you have previously ordered for food in one of the nearby resorts alongwith arrangement for a shower to remove feeling of the sea-salt from your body.

With coincidence of right season, you may be able to taste big fresh prawns right at Khashid itself. The arrangement of stay at Kashid is not very encouraging unless you are prepared to shell out sizeable amount in the high end resorts (Parkruti, Nisarga etc.). However, it may be noted that whether high or low end, none of the resorts are on the sea side with any private road to the beach.

The alternate of the stay is Murud 15 km ahead. With own convenience and thanks to good road, it is a breeze to drive down this stretch taking snaps of the enchanting sea down below. Else, State Transport buses and 3 wheelers share taxis are available throughout the day. Murud has a number of make-shift guest houses ( not to speak of high end Golden Swan Reasort) and with negotiation skill you may get good twin sharing accommodation at the range of about Rs. 500/- (beware ? no TV!).

However, for selecting a hotel, it is always better to do a hotel-hopping first for which you need about 45 minutes to search the ideal place of your choice.

Murud has a historical palace and a fort. The fort (Janjira) is on the sea and you are to go to Rajpuri which is 4 km from Murud. Boats are available till 17:00 hrs at a nominal rate to go to the Fort, which comes back after 45 minutes.

The massiveness of the fort - which is about 1000 years old - will definitely make you spellbound even if you not a history or archeology buff. Guides are available at a price of Rs. 50/- ( negotiable).

It took me three and half hours to cover the distance with my Alto, specially for the narrow State road full of bumps after Vadakhal. With the shadows of the trees innocently lying across the tar roads in perpendicular, you may easily miss the unmarked bumps and encounter spine chilling jerks (god save the suspension!), so be cautious while driving on your own.

Suggested schedule :-

Day 1 : Start at 09:00 hrs and reach Kashid (via Birla temple near Revadanda) at about 13:30 hrs. Pass some time at beach and then proceed to Murud, take lunch, hop-hotel and then check-in. Visit Janjira fort in the afternoon.

Day 2 : Hug the waves at Kashid as much as you can. Late Lunch in any of the resorts. Visit the Murud Palace in the afternoon. Boat ? Rs. 12/- per adult. Children Rs. 6/- per head covering both ways. Family boat ? Rs. 200/-.

Day 3 : Repeat the activities at Kashid beach. Lunch at Kashid and then to say bye to Kashid at about 15:00 hrs.

Cost :-

Travel 380 km @ Rs. 3/- per km including Toll, Parking etc. = 1140/-

Stay @ 600/- per day = 1200/-

Food, snakes @ 700/- per day = 1400/-

Total Rs. 3740/- for a family of 2 adults and one kid.