“Built by British in 1867 and owned now by MbPT (Mumbai Port Trust), Kanhoji Angre island station planning as of 2021 to welcome tourists are in process. Hopefully, soon be opened to the public as another tourism attraction (By Mumbai Port Trust Permissions), Kanhoji Angre Lighthouse on the island called ‘Khanderi’, for which talks are happening since 2013 / 2014 and again 2018 after all permissions acquired open and available to explore.
This island is the only seaside coastal lighthouse attraction around South Mumbai. After Elephanta Caves, Yet another reason to explore and enjoy the ferry ride and speedboat inside vast blue sea which covers our city from all 3 sides..”
UPDATES 2021: Along with the planning of making this one of the unique tourist hotspots of Mumbai, Restorations are also planned to conserve the remains of old fort walls, Old Real Cannons, and few water bodies.
Some of the listed attractions inside will be Metal Cannons, Camping sites, Razor Light Shows, Planned resort for an overnight stay, A temple and an old tomb of Daud Pir, Old Wells, Gazebos, Cafeteria & Food court, Pathway and lots more. A great Maratha water warrior and his bravery can be seen in some pieces of the old wall, few corners of the island and indirectly will be a great tribute.
Island and Lighthouse Attraction Details
Kanhoji Angre is one of the oldest and very less accessed / explored lighthouse near Mumbai located opposite Thal fishing port in Alibagh. The powerful imported lights originally fitted with imported lamps, mirrors, and prism for better reflections once traveled up to 26 km inside sea (25 nautical miles), But as the local Indian filament used the distance the light travel has been reduced to 15 to 16 km only.
Every 10 seconds the Red and White flashing lights rages till 22 to 25 nautical miles deep inside the coastal bay of Mumbai. We excited citizens and foreign tourists will be waiting to get all travel options and facilities getting ready for fun and tourism attraction until permissions from Mumbai port trust comes. It is an important landmark at the coastal entrance of Bombay harbour.
Before starting to explore the main attraction and once you get down at Mandwa (Mandava Jetty) you have options to relax at cottages, do some water sports at the jetty, have some food and get fresh before you reach the island. The total journey from Gateway to Island will take about 1 hour and 15 to 20 minutes. The entertainment and fun start here with a speedboat cutting the waves for the next 30 minutes.
The ride is awesome and one of its experiences and you reach the island shore and here is that beautiful and attractive piece of 17-meter long-standing lighthouse tower since more than 1 and half-century old now. This isolated Khanderi island since the historic story says about the attack and loot by brave Maratha ‘Kanhoji’ on British Ships traveling via that route.
So old now, it has footsteps, a muddy path, greenery, water supply, and an old fort too. A quick note if planning any visit to this attraction is to carry drinking water and food along as there are no eateries or such facilities once you reach the island. Also, the island is closed for tourist and public visits in monsoon, Yet the lighthouse operates always and shows the light of hope with the new solar operated instruments since 2008.
It was in late 1998 when the Khanderi (Also called ‘Kennery’) island along with the lighthouse which has a beautiful fort was renamed to Kanhoji Angre’s name as a tribute to a warrior admiral of Maratha in Maharashtra.
In those days the cost to build the Lighthouse went to 2 Lakh rupees and lately, the restoration was done by MPT with a jetty in place cost Rs.15 Crores to land directly on the island and to attract local and foreign tourists who are attracted to various lighthouses around the world and operates as one of preferred place for tourism.
As of date with special permission from Mumbai port trust, Only Royal Bombay Yacht Club which is a famous sailing company took a yearly tour to this island which has currently nothing but an old fort surrounding this lighthouse.
If one sees the Map of Google attached to this article, it also shows another island exactly between Kanhoji Angre island and Navgaon, This island is called Underi. Possibly an isolated unused place which might be used by local fisherman during sail and fishing here.
Things You Should Know
- Lighthouse is located at Latitude of 18°42.1’N & Longitude of 72°48.8’E.
- Area / Size of this historic location is about 8000 square metre.
- Land Status : Freehold.
- DGLL (Directorate General of Lighhouses & Lightships) has the ownership of this land.
- Average temperature on this land is 32°
- Nearest Port / harbour : Gateway of India (1 Hour 30 Minutes) to Thal Jetty & Again 45 Minutes from Thal to Lighthouse Island.
- Nearest Railway Station is Panvel (70 kms) & Airport Mumbai 100 Kms
- Distance from Alibagh : 10 Kilometres.
- Road access & public access : Not available & Restricted.
- Mobile Network coverage / range : Available for all leading mobile networks & BSNL too.
- Elecricity : Solar Power based.
- Water Source : A Pond
- Tourism & Public access requirements : NOC & other clearance for CRZ via MOEF & Other local bodies.
- Their is NO waterfalls, flowing streams, flora & fauna on this Island.
How To Reach Kanhoji Angre Khanderi Island
Official Address: The Head Lightkeeper,
Kanhoji Angre Lighthouse,
Post – Thal Bazar, Tal – Alibag
District. Raigad, Pin – 204207.
The best way to reach this island is to start from the Gateway of India. First ferry starts at 8:00 Am.
Upon reaching Mandwa you need to reach THAL at Navgaon fishing port which takes about 15 to 20 minutes 4.5-kilometer road ride in a vehicle. At the coastal, you get speedboats that will take you to Lighthouse Island Kanoji Angre in the next 30 minutes.
Another nearest way to reach Kanhoji is from Alibaug at 9.5 kilometers. A few beaches and locations around Alibaug coastal to explore along with the lighthouse are Awas Beach, Kihim Beach, Navgaon (Thal), North Drain (RCF), and Ash Pond (RCF), Varsoli Bandara Beach, and Mandava Jetty (Also Called ‘Maandwa’). I.e at about 10 kms. from Alibag to Thal Jetty and then via ferry boat to Khanderi Lighthouse.
Remember, the last ferry from Mandwa jetty is at 7:30. If you miss this the long road route is the only option taking alternate public transports or hiring a vehicle finally. Repeating the note if missed, Island is closed during monsoon (June to September) and has no entry-exit timings as all depends on ferry and speedboat availability.
The Khanderi island is very near to Alibaug and is also well connected to South Coastal of Mumbai harbour. Once the lighthouse project gets green signal, All the possibilities of exploring our Arabian sea as per tourist point of view will be opened. Gateway of India will have a ferry to and from Kanhoji, Exactly like the one which runs currently for Alibaug and Elephanta caves. The time taken for boat ride from gateway to lighthouse is about 40 minutes.
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