Undoubtedly, Goa was called the hot spot for New Year celebration especially for many Mumbaikars. However, Maharashtra’s 720 kilometres of coastline, the Konkan, emerged as the latest destination to celebrate the New Year this year 2026. Its driving force has been the accessibility and reasonable fare that offered a package to the tourists.
Tourists have thronged the beach resorts of Alibaug, Nagaon, Kashed, Murud-Janjira, Dive Aghar, and Shrivardhan and are enjoying water sports packages. They also visited historic forts.
A room in most of the hotels and resorts above the 3-star category prior to Christmas, was available for Rs 2500. Now the costs have gone up to as much as Rs 12,000, as people have come to spend for over five days ushering the New Year.
Thanks goes to the social media influencers, people have now discovered the otherwise easy, laid-back Alibaug and other beaches of Raigad. There are numerous homestays too that have sprung up.
Vikrant Godam, with his toddler in arm, from Amravati, revealed to the media persons that they were exploring from which place to usher in the New Year, and decided to revisit the Kashed beach. They also wanted their children to know the history of Murud Zanjira, as there are few forts here. They also enjoyed the local cuisine, especially the fish.
He added, the crowds did surprise him. “There was a lot more crowd than usual. There are many fun activities that youngsters enjoy. They will suggest to first-time travellers, if they book in advance, they won’t face any issues.
A couple from Valsad in Gujarat appreciated the clean beaches and their walk to the Kolaba fort, which is accessible during low tide, at Alibaug.
They came here one day before X’Mas to spend time and really liked the place. They visited the fort and enjoyed the beach. It has been amazing. When they walked to the fort there was water, and on return it was low tide, and the sea had gone deep inside. There was no water around the fort. This was a new experience for them. They will definitely urge more people to visit Alibaug and Konkan,” the couple said.
As per Bhau Salunke, owner of Mahakali Water Sports, this is their festive time too. Adding since the last two months, they have seen more tourists coming. Now with New Year holidays, they are getting a lot more bookings for the water sports packages. Their packages for water sports have appealed to these city tourists.
These water sports companies offer eight rides for Rs 2000/- they also provide the tourists with life jackets, two guards, and they are present on the beach the entire day to ensure there is no untoward incident.
The package includes – Para ride, Banana ride, which gives tourists an opportunity to oar the boats. There is also a speed boat ride, as one can hear screams of joy and squeals of young children.
Now, travel to Alibaug and Konkan has turned out to easier as one can book the RoRo that also enables people to drive their cars on this passenger ferry. This facility has seen a rise in tourists. With schools and colleges shut for the New Year, the rush has increased. Aradhana Dandekar, the Mayor of Murud-Janjira welcomed the tourists.
“The Murud fort is popular, they also have Padma Durga fort, they have clean and nice beaches at Alibaug, Murud, and Kashed. Many tourists also come here to eat fish. Tourists from Mumbai, Pune come here regularly, now thanks to the RoRo ferry service.
The authorities in these places have taken cognisance of the sudden influx of tourists and have sent out notices to the water sports companies to take extra precautions. Local police, Coast Guard and lifeguards have been asked to remain alert to avoid any accidents.
News Edit KV Raman