Uttan Beach - Mumbai Suburb Beach at Uttan Village Bhayander

“Uttan village, located 8 km from Bhayander Railway Station in the west (Mumbai Suburb, North), has this Uttan beach, Also called ‘Uttan Virgin Beach’.

Comparatively clean and less explored by citizens and tourists, It is famous as a local East Indian Catholic Koli community fishing beach that also has a Pilgrim ‘Mother Velankanni Church’ at just 20 minutes distance from the railway station.

Below are details about this beach, specialty attractions, and a few resorts and hotels, along with contact details and how to reach them..”

Speciality of Uttan Beach

An isolated coastal location in Mumbai’s North Suburban is this less frequented beach at Uttan village, near Bhayander station in North Suburban. If you are a seafood lover, then this beach is a perfect place for a day picnic and worth a night’s stay at one of the resorts around.

Varieties of fresh fish like Prawns, Bombil, Bangara, Pomfret, and Chala fish are caught daily from Uttan Beach by local village fishermen and are available at major resorts and restaurants.
The fish can be seen drying along the coastal roads and on bamboo stick frames.

Since the hillock town and vicinity have major koli community people with the prime business of fishing, Most of the village locals and others staying at adjacent beach locations like Gorai, Tarodi, Manori, Morva, Pali, and Dongri eat fresh fish with Bhakri (a wheat recipe that looks like thick chapati or roti) and rice or Ghavan.

Very much connected to the village is this adjacent beach called ‘Uttan Virgin Beach’, Famous as the Uttan Beach of Bhayander. It is smaller and a bit isolated, with fewer footfalls on weekdays.

Locals staying near this beach also referred to it as ‘Velankanni Beach, as the surrounding area has this famous ‘Velankanni Church’, also called ‘Our Lady of Velankanni Shrine’. Uttan Virgin Beach is also a famous place of pilgrimage, as the Mother Velankanni Church is very much visited by people, especially those coming from outside. A large statue of Mother Velankanni is installed, which takes about 200 odd ladders, which is totally worth it as the aerial view of the beach and Uttan village is worth some clicks.

The pleasant climate of this beach with a typical village look can make your day picnic worth it, as enough stay options like Hotels and Resorts are available near the beach and around Uttan village. Many also prefer to take a resort stay at the Gorai location, which is very well connected and a 15- to 20-minute road drive away.

Uttan Virgin is a serene beach, far from city pollution, honking, and chaos, and few may get a feel of little Goa at this beach as it has enough trees and shade.

An old Christian’s Cross structure representing the crucifixion of Jesus near the beach entry talks about the community at Uttan Beach and some stories of the Portuguese who ruled Mumbai and Maharashtra.

The shoreline of this beach is one of the best to unwind, With blackish rocks around and coconut trees for a little shade in summer. If you love peaceful, rocky beaches, this Virgin Beach is perfect for a stroll. Talking about food options, Frankly, it is a heaven for seafood lovers, and since it is a fishermen’s village, the smell of drying fish is all around. I would not recommend an overnight stay at the listed resorts if you are vegetarian. But of course, a day’s picnic with family is worth it for vegetarians too. Just carry your vegetable delights and enjoy the location of this beach, which has a beautiful church. It has a cute little Goa in Mumbai kind of feel.

Do you know a small lighthouse is also here, a little far from the main beach area? It is a beautiful hilltop location and a small little town by the seaside. Drive ahead for the next 20 minutes, and Gorai Beach is ready to welcome you. You can drive in with your car if the tides allow. Thick, flat sand is good for a beach drive there. That is how one can enjoy both Gorai and Virgin Beaches at once.

Majority of the local fishermen are East Indian Catholic People who are very friendly to talk with. Village trolls are one of the best things you can experience apart from God’s creation of such a beautiful hillock beach location.

Evenings are very pleasant, and the sunset view is sure not to be missed. The calm beach gives some real good moments for photographers to capture the reflecting sun on the seabed. Do not expect much from junk food eateries, peddlers, and hawkers except a few baraf gola wala (Crushed ICE Candies) and a few local fruits, as the Bhayander city area is about 8 to 10 kilometers from this beach. This rocky sand beach with black sand is clean. Water currents are safe. Yet do keep watch on kids and do not let them go inside any beaches of Mumbai and not just at Uttan. Always listen and follow what the locals say.

A note to share: If you are planning a day or two to spend in this location of Bhayander, You must read about a famous farm-side Picnic destination called ‘Keshav Srushti‘ located on the same Uttan road.

Hotels, Farms and Resorts Address and Contact

There are a couple of resorts, farms, and hotels near Uttan Beach. A few of them are listed below with addresses and contact details (please note that contact details, Landline and mobile, may change with time):

CIGAD Hotel And Resort : Bhate Bunder, Vailankanni Shrine, Uttan village, Bhayander west, Maharashtra 401106. Contact : +91-9222045554.
Emerald Isle Resort : Uttan Shire Road, Behind Bhatebander, Velankanni Church, Uttan, Bhayander West, Maharashtra 401106.
Ocean Hills Pereira Farms : Opposite Vailankanni church, Next to Sigad hotel, Uttan, Bhayander West, Maharashtra 401106. Contact : +91-9870159560.

At Some distance there area few more resorts (Few 3 Stars too), Below listed :

Pali Beach Resort : Pali Chowk Road, Uttan, Bhayander West, Thane, Maharashtra 401106. Contact : +91-22-28452358.
U-Tan Sea Resort : Located at Chowk Dongri Via Uttan, Bhayandar West, Near Pali Beach Resort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 401106. Contact : +91-22-39682777.
La Shimmer Resort : At Shimmer Bunglow Scheme, Dhavgi Hills, Uttan Bhoot Bunglow Uttan Bhayandar West, Thane, Maharashtra 401106. Contact : +91-9869659340.
Cigad Resort : Uttan Road, Dongri, Mira Bhayandar, Maharashtra 401106.
Golden Toff : Uttan Opp Stella Maris Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra 401106. Contact : +91-22-28450757.
Golconda Resort : Gorai Road, Keshav Shrushti Junction, Uttan, Bhayandar West, Mira Bhayandar, Maharashtra 401106. Contact : +91-22-28450064.
Picxy Sea Resort : Ponda Wadi, Gorai Beach, Borivali West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400091. Contact : +91-22-65642371.
Sun Beach Resort : Ponda Wadi, Next to Picxy Resort, Gorai Beach, Borivali West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400091. Contact : +91-8108750767.
C Cube Resorts : 1102/4, Gorai Uttan Road, Near Vairali Talao, Gorai, Borivali West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400091. Contact : +91-9867622360.
Tourist Resort Gorai : Gorai Beach, Manori Gorai Uttan Road, Behind Hill View Hotel, Borivali West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400091. Contact : +91-9322728287.

.. and few more towards Gorai beach.

How to Reach This Beach

Embedding a map from Kashimira (Mira Bhayander Highway) to Uttan Beach which is about 14 Kilometres and takes 38 to 40 minutes.

Reaching by Road : An important point to note is to take a left (From Mumbai) or right (below the bridge, towards Mumbai) to Kashimira (Mira Bhayander Junction of Highway) and follow the sign board of Essel World. Once you cross the East-West Railway Bridge, go straight on Uttan Road for the next 8 kilometers.

By Train :The Nearest Railway station is Bhayander. Get down on the west side and take a private auto or bus to Uttan, which is easily accessible from the adjacent railway station.

Other Places of Attractions Near Uttan

Below all the 4 recommended places to see are within vicinity.

Essel World (Permanently Closed) : One of the best Amusement parks of Mumbai with thrilling rides for Adults and Children.

Water Kingdom : Part of same Essel group, Water Kingdom is adjacent o Essel world and the water park is a real break for Summer days.

Gorai Beach : Another famous beach at some road distance of 20 minutes from Uttan. Otherwise from Borivali, One need a ferry ride to reach.

Global Pagoda Vipassana : A very huge temple like structure which has a golden tomb and can be seen right from Bhayander station itself. It’s a meditation hall near Gorai and a recommended place to visit worth an hour spent if you are around Gorai or Uttan.

Pictures Courtesy : Stephen D’Souza, Raziya Khan, Dareen Monteiro, Sadanand Suvarna, Clive Cardoz.