Arnala

History

In 1516, a local chieftain in Gujarat, Sultan Mahmud Begda originally constructed the fort on the island, strategically located at the mouth of the Vaitarna river. In the 1530s, the Portuguese had established their operations in the coastal area headquartered at Fort Bassein and soon gained control of the island. The Portuguese captain of Bassein donated the island to a Portuguese nobleman who tore down the old fort and began construction of 700x700 foot fort. Though fort was never completed by the nobleman, it remained under Portuguese control for 2 centuries, who used it to control shipping and navigation along the northern Konkan coast.

During the late 1600s and early 1700s, after a long struggle with the Mughal Empire, the Maratha Confederacy came to dominate present day Maharastra. In 1737 the then Peshwa Baji Rao I sent his brother, Chimaji Appa, to take the Bassein Fort from the Portuguese. After winning the Battle of Vasai, his general, Shankarji Pant, persuaded Chimaji to launch an assault on Fort Arnala, for its strategic importance to the Maratha navy in assaulting Portuguese interests. Their first assault, coordinated with a Maratha naval force commanded by Manaji Agre, was routed by a superior Portuguese naval force. A second assault on the fort on March 28, 1737, caught the Portuguese by surprise and forced them to abandon the fort. The victory was commemorated by a plaque installed on the northern wall of the fort and is still visible today. Marathas then rebuilt the fort, constructing three bastions Bahirav, Bhavani and Bava.

The Marathas controlled the fort until 1817 when, during the third British-Maratha war, despite successfully defending the fort, they were forced to surrender the fort to the British due to their superior naval power. The Arnala and Bassien forts were returned to the Marathas by the British in the treaty of Salabai, but the forts again changed hands under the treaty of Pune. Today the fort is in a state of disrepair.

Once you hit Arnala beach you turn towards the right side where you see the fishing boats in the distance.But this landmine-laden area soon passes and you reach the ferry. There’s a ferry which takes you across to the island. Be sure to time your arrival because the ferries are at hourly intervals or even more. There is one at 12 noon which is quite convenient if you are planning a trip.

A 5-10 minute walk through the village takes you to the fort entrance. The fort walls are in a fairly good condition even today. Once you enter the fort to the right, there are stairs which take you up on the fort wall itself. There is a 8-10 feet wide route all along the fort wall. The best part about this island is that its so small that you see the sea up close from wherever you are standing on the fort wall.

Interesting things to do

Can snap a lot of photos

Can play some games on the beach

Interesting things to Visit

Towards the southern tip of the island there is a very interesting watch-tower standing in quiet isolation. As you approach it you intuitively look for an entrance. But even when you are done going round it it will leave you puzzled because there simply is not any entrance. There is a small opening at the base though which goes 4 feet in and then there is a circular passageway through which one would need to crawl to go ahead. According to the locals, there are cannonballs stored inside.

Arnala Lighthouse is about 10 km West by road from Virar Railway station (Mumbai-Surat Trunk Route). Regular transport is available from Virar for proceeding to Arnala. There is a pucca road up to the lighthouse. The coast is about 300 m away from the lighthouse.

Nearest Visiting places

• Ahmadnagar Fort
• Ajinkyatara Fort
• Arnala Fort
• Bassein Fort
• Chakan Fort
• Daulatabad Fort

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

• **Grand Sarovar Premiere Mumbai (in Mumbai, distanced approximately 140 km)
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• **Grand Hometel Malad Mumbai (in Mumbai, distanced approximately 140 km)
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• **Benzy Palace (in Mumbai, distanced approximately 150 km)
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• **Hotel Suncity Residency (in Mumbai, distanced approximately 150 km)
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• **The Grand Imperial (in Agra, distanced approximately 150 km)
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• **Hotel Metro International (in Mumbai, distanced approximately 150 km)
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• Ramee Guestline Hotel, Juhu (in Mumbai, distanced approximately 150 km)
• Lots of other Resorts are there at Arnala

Help Line/Phone Number

Nearest Hospital:Aastha Children/ Hospital Balaji/ Clinic Sahyog Hospital

The district of Thane to the North East of Mumbai offers a unique hill station of Jawahar. A distance of 125 miles from Mumbai, the hill station is closer to Nahsik though. The area was a major tribal kingdom of Maharashtra. You can get the feel of the tribal life by visiting few protected tribal villages of the region and those with nimble fingers can learn a trade or two……more

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Location info

• Address:8 miles north of Vasai

• District: Thane

• Nearest City: Mumbai City

• Best time to visit: October to April.

How to reach Arnala

• Nearest Railway Station:Mumbai

• Nearest Airport:Mumbai International Airport

Transport: After reaching the beach from Arnala village you can reach fort by commuter boat only. The boat service is available from 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. It takes about 5 to 10 minutes to reach fort through the boat.

Things to carry

Mineral water bottles, food, first aid kit, some extra clothes and so on.

Best time to visit Arnala

October to March: cool and pleasant weather ideal for trekking. Avoid monsoon (June–September) as trails become slippery and dangerous.

Timings & opening hours

Typically open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. Some forts may close earlier during monsoon or for maintenance.

Entry fee & tickets

Free entry for most hill forts. ASI-protected forts may charge INR 25 for Indians and INR 300 for foreign nationals.

Duration needed

3–4 hours including trek to the top and exploration. Larger forts may require a full day.

Safety tips

Wear sturdy footwear with good grip. Carry sufficient water — many forts have no water sources on top. Do not climb on unstable walls or edges. Start the trek early in the morning to avoid afternoon heat. Inform someone about your trek plan.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest airport: Pune International Airport (PNQ) or Mumbai International Airport (BOM). Nearest railway station: Pune Railway Station or nearest station on the Central Railway. Well-connected by road from Pune and Mumbai.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, and Vi all provide excellent coverage across Maharashtra’s cities (Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur) and major tourist areas. 4G is reliable along highways and in most towns. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Tadoba, Melghat, and certain ghat sections. Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels and cafes.

Food & restaurants nearby

Most hill forts in Maharashtra have local snack stalls at the base serving pithla bhakri, vada pav, and tea. Carry food for longer treks — many forts on hilltops have no facilities. The nearest village or town offers Maharashtrian thali meals.

Climate & weather

Maharashtra has a diverse climate spanning coastal Konkan, the Western Ghats, and the interior Deccan plateau. Winter (November–February) is the best time to visit: temperatures range from 12°C to 30°C depending on region. Summer (March–June) is hot, with interior areas reaching 40°C+ while hill stations (Mahabaleshwar, Lonavala) remain pleasant. The monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rainfall to the coast and ghats but transforms the landscape into lush green. October–November is pleasant post-monsoon.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road to Arnala. It is advisable to fill fuel before heading to remote areas, especially hill forts and wildlife sanctuaries.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to trek to the top? The trek to most forts takes 1–3 hours depending on the fort’s height and the trail condition. Some forts have road access up to the entrance.

Is there food and water available on the fort? Most forts have no facilities on top. Carry at least 2 litres of water per person and some snacks. Local stalls at the base village sell refreshments.

Can I visit during monsoon? Many forts are open year-round but trails become extremely slippery during monsoon. November to February offers the best trekking conditions.

Quick facts

• Location: Maharashtra
• Best time to visit: October to March for comfortable exploration
• Ideal duration: 1-2 hours to explore the site
• Entry: Nominal entry fee at most ASI-protected sites
• Photography: Allowed at most sites; videography may require permit

Map & location view

• Destination: Arnala
• State: Maharashtra, India
• Region: historical region of Maharashtra
• How to reach: Accessible by road from nearby towns and cities. Local transport options include buses and taxis.
• Google Maps: Search for “Arnala, Maharashtra” on Google Maps for precise directions and navigation.