5 Beautiful Islands In Maharashtra One Must Visit To Enjoy A Tropical Vacation!

Maharashtra is the home to the entertainment industry of India and is one of the richest and prosperous states in the country. Many people opt to live in Maharashtra for the betterment of their future and also it has several employment opportunities compared to other provinces of India. Apart from the trade and culture, Maharashtra is the home to some of the most beautiful locations in India. Not only is the state situated by the Arabian sea, but there are multiple hill stations out there too. Some of the most famous cities located in Maharashtra are Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Aurangabad and many more. These cities are not only renowned for its cultural and occupational impacts, but they have some of the most amazing tourist spots in India as well. Though in this article, you will get to learn about the islands in Maharashtra and not the sightseeing spots. You may have heard about some of the islands but not every one of them because they are not popular among tourists.

Some of the major tourist spots in Maharashtra that must be visited while on your trip out there are Ashtavinayak, Mulshi, Aamby valley, Ajanta, Solapur and many more.

5 Best Islands In Maharashtra

All the islands mentioned in the blog are mostly located close to Mumbai. You will be able to reach them by availing ferry services from the capital of Maharashtra. They are reviewed by the major tourism and travel websites and are suggested by the previous tourists as well.

1. Salsette Island

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Salsette island is located quite close to Mumbai and is determined by the water of Ulhas river and Vasai creek. You will be surprised to see the confluence of lakes, rivers and the Arabian sea surrounding the island. This island has historical significance in the development of Maharashtra and India alike. The island has witnessed several rulers including the sultans, the Portuguese and the British. If you visit there, you will be able to observe several lakes out there including Tulsi lake, Powai lake and Vihar lake. Also, it is the home to some of the rarest migratory birds in the world.

How to reach Salsette Island: Salsette island is located quite close to Mumbai and can be achieved by getting a ferry service from Mumbai. You have to take a local train through to reach the landmass of Salsette Island.

Distance between Salsette island and Mumbai: 27 kms

Must Read: 20 Best Resorts In Lonavala: Embark On A Getaway From Mumbai And Pune

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2. Elephanta Island

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Elephanta Island is not only famous for its glorious natural beauty, but it is due to the presence of the Elephanta caves. Not only is the cave a UNESCO world heritage site, but the paintings and carvings inside the cave will not cease to amaze you. You will be bewildered by the fact that all of these rock edicts were built in 600 AD. The presence of these historically significant structures and paintings inside a natural cave that is located quite close to Mumbai is surreal. You will find several statues of Lord Shiva and other Gods out there. All of the figures or sculptures are carved from the rocks of the cave. If you visit Elephanta island, you will need to take a guided trip to explore the mesmerizing caves quite efficiently.

How to reach Elephanta island: You will be able to easily visit the island by availing the ferry service to reach there. A charge of INR 10 is taken from travellers and remember you have to walk about 1.5 km to reach the caves.
Distance from Mumbai: The distance between Mumbai and the Elephanta island is around 37 km.

Suggested Read: 20 Best Villas In Lonavala To Spend A Luxe Vacation In The Hills

3. Panju Island

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Panju is an island in Maharashtra that is located quite close to Mumbai in the Vasai Creek. It is quite close to the previously mentioned Salsette and can be reached quite easily from Mumbai. This island will surprise you. Not only it has one of the lowest pollution rates in the country, but it has the highest sex-ration rate as well. Most people tend to visit this island by availing ferry services. The island is also home to the Maratha commander Chimaji Appa who was the descendants of the mighty Peshwas of India. You will have to explore the entire island by walking because no automobile vehicles are allowed out there. Though the island is uncommon for a tourist spot if you are a wanderlust traveller you will get why it is worth visiting.

How to reach Panju island from Mumbai: You can reach Panju island from Mumbai by getting a rented car that would take you to Teen Hath Naka. From there you could avail a ferry service to take you to the island.

Distance between Panju island from Mumbai: 67 km.

Suggested Read: 20 Finest Places To Visit In Lonavala In Rainy Season

4. Khanderi Island

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Khanderi island is not only famous for its glorious natural beauty, but it is renowned for the Kanhoji Angre lighthouse too. Not only is the island located beautifully amid the Arabian sea, but the tower is one of the oldest and abandoned towers of the country. You will feel like being on an adventure while you visit this island. The tall structure of the beam amid the marvellous island will genuinely please you if you are a thrill-seeker. You will be surprised to know that this island is located quite close to Alibaug and if you are visiting Alibaug already, visiting this island will not be a problem for you. Otherwise, you can travel to the island from Mumbai without any problem. Even though the lighthouse has been abandoned yet it shows light to the Arabian sea without any delay year after years.

How to reach Khanderi island from Mumbai: A ferry from Gateway of India will take you to Thal, the fishing village close to the island. You can then walk or get on any vehicle to reach the lighthouse located on the island.

Distance between Khanderi island and Mumbai: 42 km.

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5. Butcher Island

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Butcher island is commonly known as Jawahar Dweep, and it is notorious for an accident that happened out there. The island is filled with oil tankers, and the accident involved an incident regarding that. Though it is conventionally not a tourist spot, many people now visit the infamous Butcher island to see for themselves the site of the horrific incident. The area is located quite close to Gateway of India, but the entry is restricted.

How to reach Butcher island from Mumbai: You can reach Butcher island by getting a ferry from the Gateway of India.

Distance between butcher island and Mumbai: 18 km.

Further Read: The New Fossil Park To Open In Maharashtra Will Help You Relive Your ‘Jurassic Park’ Memories!

The islands that are mentioned in the section above are all high in their ways. Not only are they visually stunning, but they hold historical significance as well. So, next time when you are visiting Maharashtra, do not forget to visit the islands in Maharashtra which are mentioned above. So now when you plan a vacation in Maharashtra, make sure to enjoy a day away from the hustle-bustle.

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