Mandwa Jetty to Alibaug: Distances, Transfers and Arrival Tips

By Privy Stays · October 23, 2026 · Travel

The ferry docks at Mandwa, you collect your bags, and the question that matters is no longer how long the crossing took. It is how long the road ahead will take. Mandwa Jetty is the usual gateway to Alibaug, but it sits at the northern end of the coast, so your stay could be a ten minute drive away or the better part of an hour, depending on which side of Alibaug you have chosen.

This guide covers what happens after you arrive: how far Alibaug town and the main beaches are from the jetty, how people get onward, and how to match your arrival plan to where you are staying. For the crossing itself, read our guide to Mumbai to Alibaug by ferry and road. It is part of our Complete Alibaug Travel Guide.

Quick answer

  • Alibaug town is roughly 20 km from Mandwa Jetty. Allow 30 to 45 minutes by road, and the longer end on a Friday evening or a long weekend.
  • Mandwa and Awas are the closest stays. Our property pages list Coast House at 4.7 km (12 minutes) and Saffronshore Wood Resort at about 6 km (15 minutes).
  • Kihim and Thal are a short step south, at roughly 10 to 17 km (20 to 32 minutes).
  • Nagaon and Akshi sit at the far end of the usual stretch, at 24 to 26 km, which is about 50 minutes by road.

What Mandwa Jetty is

Mandwa sits on the northern edge of the Alibaug coast, across the water from Mumbai. Passenger ferries sail from the Gateway of India, and a vehicle ferry runs from Bhaucha Dhakka, so Mandwa is where most visitors who skip the long drive first step onto the coast.

Passenger sailings depend on the weather and typically pause during the monsoon, when the road becomes the more dependable route. Timings and operators change, so check with the operator close to your date. Our ferry and road guide covers the crossing in more detail.

From the jetty to Alibaug town

The distance is roughly 20 km. Published estimates of the drive range from 20 to 45 minutes depending on the day and the stops along the way, so plan for the longer end if you have a check-in time to meet or a connection to catch.

How you cover those kilometres comes down to luggage, group size and the hour you land:

  • Ferry shuttle bus. Some passenger operators run a bus to Alibaug town timed with their sailings, and in some cases the fare is part of the ticket. Ask when you book rather than assuming.
  • Shared autos and local taxis. These wait near the jetty and suit a light bag and a short ride. Agree the fare before you set off, and expect a tight squeeze if your group has several suitcases.
  • A booked cab. For a villa stay, a larger group or a late arrival, a vehicle arranged in advance removes the guesswork at the jetty.
  • Your own car on the vehicle ferry. You drive off at Mandwa and follow your own route, which gives the most flexibility. It is also the simplest option when you are travelling with a pet, and our guide to travelling from Mumbai to Alibaug with a dog covers the rest.

If you are staying with us, message the team with your sailing time and group size, and they can advise on the best way to reach the property.

How far the beaches and stays are from the jetty

There is no single official chart of distances from Mandwa Jetty to every beach, so the most reliable way to read the coast is through the distances listed on our property pages. Each one gives its own drive from the jetty, and together they show how the coast unfolds as you head south. The figures are approximate road distances, and real journey times depend on traffic and the time of day.

  • Coast House (Mandwa and Awas): listed distance from Mandwa Jetty 4.7 km, 12 min. Nearest beach on the page: Awas Beach, 1 km.
  • Saffronshore Wood Resort (Mandwa and Awas): listed distance from Mandwa Jetty About 6 km, 15 min. Nearest beach on the page: Awas Beach, 250 m.
  • Pinnacle Villa (Mandwa and Awas): listed distance from Mandwa Jetty 8.5 km, 20 min. Nearest beach on the page: Saaral Beach, 3 km.
  • Triangulla Villa (Kihim and Thal): listed distance from Mandwa Jetty 10 km, 20 min. Nearest beach on the page: Kihim Beach, 3.5 km.
  • Circulla Villa (Kihim and Thal): listed distance from Mandwa Jetty 10 km, 20 min. Nearest beach on the page: Kihim Beach, 3.5 km.
  • Cavo (Kihim and Thal): listed distance from Mandwa Jetty 17 km, 32 min. Nearest beach on the page: Thal Beach, 2.5 km.
  • Blue Waves Resort (Alibaug town): listed distance from Mandwa Jetty 18 km, 35 min. Nearest beach on the page: Varsoli Beach, 1.7 km.
  • Kylo Villa (Alibaug town): listed distance from Mandwa Jetty 21 km, 42 min. Nearest beach on the page: Alibaug Beach, 4.2 km.
  • Aatmana Villa (Nagaon and Akshi): listed distance from Mandwa Jetty 24 km, 50 min. Nearest beach on the page: Akshi Beach, 0.85 km.
  • Casa Sereno (Nagaon and Akshi): listed distance from Mandwa Jetty 26 km, 50 min. Nearest beach on the page: Nagaon Beach, 0.8 km.
  • The Enchanted Nest (Nagaon and Akshi): listed distance from Mandwa Jetty 26 km, 50 min. Nearest beach on the page: Akshi Beach, 0.1 km.

Read as a map, it works like this. The jetty, Mandwa Beach and Awas sit within minutes of each other. Kihim and Thal follow, then Alibaug town at about 20 km. Nagaon and Akshi come last, close to an hour away.

The beach distances above are measured from the stays rather than from the jetty, so treat them as a guide. Casa Sereno is 0.8 km from Nagaon Beach and lists the jetty at 26 km, which suggests Nagaon Beach is in that range by road. Coast House is 1 km from Awas Beach and 4.7 km from the jetty, which makes Awas the nearest of the named beaches to where you land.

Choosing a stay by arrival plan

Short trip, early sailing or a late arrival. Staying on the Mandwa and Awas side keeps the transfer short. Coast House is a six bedroom private pool villa with a base occupancy of 12 and a maximum of 30, and its page says pets are welcome with advance notice. Saffronshore Wood Resort is a boutique cottage resort with five private wooden cottages and Awas Beach 250 m away. Its page says pets are not allowed.

Beach days and water sports. The Nagaon and Akshi side asks for roughly 50 minutes in the car, and rewards it with the beaches most people come for. Our Nagaon Beach guide and Akshi Beach guide help you pick between them.

Town, food and a base in the middle. Stays near Alibaug town sit about 18 to 21 km from the jetty, with Alibaug Beach and Varsoli close by. Our guide to the best areas to stay in Alibaug compares the options side by side.

If you are still deciding, where to stay in Alibaug walks through villas, resorts and areas in one place.

Practical tips for arrival day

  • Match the drive to check-in. The Enchanted Nest, Casa Sereno and Blue Waves list check-in from 2:00 PM and check-out at 11:00 AM. For villas, confirm timings with the team, and remember that a 50 minute transfer comes on top of the crossing.
  • Size the vehicle to the luggage. One booked vehicle for the whole group is usually easier than splitting across shared autos.
  • Keep a buffer on busy days. Weekend afternoons and festival weekends are when road times stretch, both from the jetty and on the way back.
  • Check sailings before you travel. Ferry times and operators change, and weather can alter a day's schedule, so confirm close to your date.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Mandwa Jetty from Alibaug town?

Roughly 20 km. Allow 30 to 45 minutes by road, depending on traffic and stops.

Is there a bus from Mandwa Jetty to Alibaug?

Several passenger ferry operators run a bus timed with their sailings. Whether it is included in the fare depends on the operator, so check when you book.

How far is Mandwa Jetty from Nagaon Beach?

Casa Sereno, which is 0.8 km from Nagaon Beach, lists Mandwa Jetty at 26 km, about 50 minutes by road. That is a fair guide to the beach itself.

Can I take my car from Mumbai to Mandwa?

Yes, the vehicle ferry from Bhaucha Dhakka carries cars to Mandwa. Check current schedules in our ferry and road guide.

Is Mandwa Beach close to the jetty?

Mandwa Beach is in the same area as the jetty, which makes it an easy first stop. Our Mandwa Beach guide covers what to expect there.

Plan your stay with Privy Stays

Once you know which side of Alibaug suits your trip, the rest falls into place. Browse villas in Mandwa or our wider villa collection, then get in touch with your sailing time, group size and dates, and we will help you shortlist a property that fits your arrival plan.

About the Author

Privy Stays

Editorial Team

The Privy Stays editorial team writes about design-led villas, quiet coastlines and the small details that make a stay worth the trip.