Located on the western coast of India, Mumbai is a coastal city.  The Arabian Sea touches Mumbai from all sides except one. Its varied and long coastline has many magnificent beaches. Beaches of Mumbai attract many tourists, leisure travelers, honeymooners and the locals alike for their laid back charm. Though beaches are naturally beautiful, but unfortunately, most of these are highly polluted due to great crowd and unfit for swimming. There are  nine beaches from the north to south of Mumbai which include the Girgaum Chowpatti, the Juhu Beach, Dadar Chowpatti, Versova Beach, Aksa Beach, Madh Island, Manori Beach, Marve Beach, and the Gorai Beach.  But only few of these beaches are renowned for tourism activities.  Still, these beaches are getaway from the hustle and bustle of a city.

Let us read about some famous Mumbai beaches.

Marine Drive
Built in 1920s, Marine drive is located in Central Mumbai. It is built on the rescued land from sea.  Marine drive is famously called as the Queens’s Necklace, due to dramatic positioning of the streetlights along a curvilinear promenade. This is also the famous pathway which has heavy traffic most of the times. This is also the favorite place for evening strolls. On this colorful beach, you can enjoy watching sunset or children playing with sand and other views. Recently it is renamed as Netaji Subhashchandra Bose Road.

Chowpatty Beach
Located at the top end of Marine Drive, Chowpatty Beach is popular among the tourists of all kinds. Only beach in the central Mumbai, this is the venue for many interesting Hindu ceremonies like annual thread-tying ceremony. Nariel Purnima, a Hindu festival is also celebrated here. Again during Ganesh Chaturthi festival, idols of Lord Ganesha are immersed in the water at this beach.

Juhu Beach
One of the most popular beaches of Mumbai, Juhu Beach lies 18km north of city centre. Venue of many film shootings, it is surrounded by houses of many film personalities. Being a popular weekend spot, Juhu beach has many stalls selling delicious snacks like bhelpuri, Pani Puri etc. You can also enjoy horse and donkey rides.  

Versova Beach

Counted among the famous sightseeing places in Mumbai, Versova Beach is situated on the north of Juhu Beach. You can see fish nets all over as this is the home to Koli community.