If you want to see Mumbai from a different perspective, one of the most memorable things you can do is go on a Mumbai boat trip. If you're on a budget, taking the ferry to the Elephanta Caves or Alibaug are options. However, if you don't mind splurging, you can charter a luxury yacht and determine your own itinerary. Both day and overnight trips are possible, as well as sunset trips around the coast of Mumbai.
Fortunately for me, one of my friends decided to charter a boat for his birthday. It was an attractive and immaculately clean little yacht that had space for up to 10 people. Inside was room to sleep, a toilet and basin, and other facilities such as a stereo.
We were picked up from the Gateway of India late in the morning and headed to Alibaug for a picnic lunch at tucked away Awas Beach. In the afternoon, we cruised around Mumbai Harbor as the sun set, and docked back at the Gateway of India in time to relax on the boat and watch the Gateway and the Taj Palace hotel become illuminated in the evening. It was one of the most magical experiences I've had in Mumbai.
My friend hired the boat through Sea Time Yacht and Adventure Charters. The company offers a lot of flexibility in terms of packages, boat sizes, and destinations. Other options, apart from where we went, are:
- Marine Drive and the Mumbai skyline (also beautiful at night, with the chain of lights glittering like their name "the Queen's necklace").
- Bandra-Worli Sea Link.
- Northern beaches such as Madh Island and Gorai.
- Fishing in the open waters towards the west.
- Vashi and Navi Mumbai towards the east.
- An evening cruise, dinner, and overnight in Mumbai Harbor.
- A day on board the yatch.
- A weekend trip with beach hopping around Alibaug, and a sleep out on Kihim beach.
- Spa package at a resort in Alibaug.
- Photography along the Konkan coastline.
If there's quite a few of you, you can even charter a larger yacht for parties. We brought our own food and wine, and had a blissful day away from the hustle of the city.
