Explore Madh Island

Erangal Beach

One of the long sandy beaches on Madh Island, next to the old village of Erangal. It is one of the area’s four main beaches, with Marve, Aksa and Madh, and Erangal village is a popular spot for film shoots.

Where

Erangal village, Madh Island, Malad West, Mumbai

Getting there

Reached by the Marve–Madh Road through Erangal village.

There is no official safety notice for this beach itself. BMC lists the neighbouring Aksa (Dana Pani) and Marve beaches as unsafe for swimming because of currents, so stay out of the water, especially in the monsoon and at high tide.

Dana Pani Beach (Danapani / Dana Paani)

A small beach at the end of Aksa Beach opposite the INS Hamla naval base, on the stretch towards Erangal. The Film Facilitation Office lists it among the beaches of Madh Island.

Where

Between Aksa and Erangal, Madh Island, Malad West, Mumbai

Getting there

Off the Marve–Madh Road, beyond Aksa.

BMC lists “Aksa Beach (Danapani)” as unsafe for swimming: strong currents, shifting sand and many past drownings. Don’t go into the water.

Aksa Beach

A popular weekend beach at Aksa village, Malad West, between the INS Hamla naval base at one end and Dana Pani at the other. Private cottages and hotels line the area.

Where

Aksa village, Marve–Madh Road, Malad West, Mumbai

Getting there

On the Marve–Madh Road from Malad West.

Swimming is dangerous here. BMC lists Aksa (Dana Pani) as unsafe, and there are strong currents, shifting sand and warning signs. A study in Current Science counted 47 deaths and 445 rescues at Aksa between 2006 and 2018, and a teenager was feared drowned in June 2026. Stay out of the water, especially in the monsoon and at high tide, and follow the lifeguards.

Marve Beach (Marvé Beach)

A narrow beach at Marve, at the northern end of the Madh–Marve stretch in Malad West, with ferries to Manori (and Esselworld) from its north end.

Where

Marve, Malad West, Mumbai

Getting there

Reached by the Malad–Marve road. The beach is narrow and next to the Indian Navy’s INS Hamla base, so movement is limited: don’t enter naval property. Ferries to Manori leave from its north end.

BMC's beach-safety document lists Marve as unsafe because of strong underwater currents. Wikipedia says it is not safe for swimming because of swift currents and sinking sand.

St. Bonaventure Church, Erangal

A Portuguese-era Catholic church in Erangal village on Madh Island. The Jio Institute heritage archive dates its construction to 1575, and the Government of India's Film Facilitation Office calls it a 16th-century Portuguese church. Its annual feast, known locally as 'Baravi chi Jatra', falls on the second Sunday of January.

Where

Erangal village, on the Marve–Madh Road, Madh Island, Malad West, Mumbai

Getting there

On the Marve–Madh Road at Erangal. The Archdiocese of Bombay lists a Thursday 7 pm Marathi Mass here. It is an active church, so dress and behave respectfully.

Madh Fort (also called Versova Fort)

A small 17th-century Portuguese fort on the headland at the south end of Madh Island, overlooking the mouth of Versova creek. The Marathas captured it in February 1739, and the British took the Versova fort in 1774.

Where

Near Madh village, southern tip of Madh Island, Malad West, Mumbai

Entry

Not open to the public.

Getting there

Restricted defence area: there is no public access. Sources describe it as under the Indian Air Force or defence control, with entry and photography prohibited. View it only from the public road or from across the creek at Versova, and don’t photograph defence installations.

Defence-controlled area: obey all signs and security staff. No photography near the installation.

Harbadevi Temple (Harba Devi / Harbai), Madh

An old temple of Harba Devi, the village deity (gramdevata) of Madh Koliwada. It is said to be mentioned in the medieval Mahikavatichi Bakhar, and hosts a Harinaam Saptaha around Narali Pournima and an annual fair.

Where

Madh village, near Madh jetty, Madh Island, Malad West, Mumbai

Getting there

In Madh village near Madh jetty, on a small hillock off the road towards Madh Fort (location from a personal heritage blog, not an official source). An active place of worship: dress and behave respectfully.

Madh Koliwada (fishing village)

The traditional Koli fishing settlement on the southern side of the Madh peninsula, between the open sea and the creek. Most residents practise open-sea fishing. It is divided into padas and gallis such as Dongar Pada, Darya Galli and Christian Galli, and Harba Devi is its village deity.

Where

Southern Madh Island, near Madh village and Madh jetty (general area only)

Getting there

A residential working village: visit respectfully and ask before photographing people, boats or fish-drying areas.

Versova Beach

The beach of the old Koli fishing village of Versova, Andheri West, across the creek from Madh. It became internationally known after the volunteer clean-up begun in October 2015 by lawyer Afroz Shah, who received the UNEP 'Champion of the Earth' award in 2016.

Where

Versova, Andheri West, Mumbai (across Versova/Malad creek from Madh)

Getting there

Across the creek from Madh: take the Versova–Madh ferry (see the ferry page), or drive round by road, about 21–22 km.

Follow BMC’s monsoon and high-tide advice and the lifeguards on duty.

Global Vipassana Pagoda

A large meditation monument near Gorai, Borivali West, opened in February 2009, with what is described as the world's tallest pillarless dome. It is outside Madh Island, north across the creek.

Where

Near Gorai village (Esselworld side), Borivali West, Mumbai, outside Madh Island

Hours

Open all days, 9 am to 7 pm. Free 10-minute Anapana sessions run 10:00 am to 6:30 pm (official site).

Entry

Free: 'no entry fee or charge to see the Global Vipassana Pagoda'. Guides are also free. Photo ID is required, and foreign visitors must show a passport, driving licence or embassy certificate (official site).

Getting there

Official site: by road, follow signs to Esselworld, then the Helipad and Sanchi Arch onto Global Pagoda Road. By public transport, go to Borivali station (west), take a bus or auto to Gorai Creek, then the Esselworld ferry or the local ferry. An Esselworld ferry from Marve Beach is listed as an alternative. Rules: no photography or video inside the main dome or visitors' gallery, only past Vipassana students may meditate in the dome, no outside food (from 1 March 2024), no intoxicants, and no revealing clothing.