At a glance On the Konkan coast, just south of Alibaug and just north of Murud-Janjira. About the city Kashid Beach, wedged between two rocky outcrops reaching out into the sea, had not changed much since my last visit some five years ago except for the slopes of the hill that overlooked it. Then, only one hotel, Kashid Beach Resort, graced this land. This time around it was strewn with a few more holiday retreats. And not surprisingly so, for this semi-circular sweep of beach is probably the finest in the entire stretch from Mandwa down to Murud-Janjira. Indeed, it does not have the bustling activity that one associates with its two sister beaches, Alibaug and Murud-Janjira. There's no shortage of sights here, though. For Kashid has access to a ponderous sea-fort, a lonely lighthouse and, every now and then, a bird of paradise. How to reach Road: Down NH17 to Alibaug, then along the picturesque coastal highway via Chaul, Revdanda and Korlai to Kashid En route halts McDonald's or Hotel Garden in Panvel. Water: A delightful option that takes you across the harbour, past dilapidated barges and mighty ships. Catch a ferry from the Gateway of India for Mandwa. Then catch an ST bus or hire jeep-taxis to Kashid (Rs 500 to 600 one way; full Vikram Rs 200 one way). Journey Time Road: 4 hrs from Mumbai Water: 50 mins + 1 1/2 hrs by road from Mumbai Distances 139 km South from Mumbai From Mumbai NH17 via Pen and Vadkhal Naka to Alibaug State highway to Kashid via Revdanda. Best Seasons Except for the monsoon months when the wind whips the sea into a towering rage, Kashid is a year-round destination. Places in and around There are no water-sports or adventure activities like horse rides on Kashid's quiet beach. This is a place to bury yourself in the sand, build castles in the air or on the ground, or just soak up the quiet. For the whole idea of choosing Kashid is to get away from the flurry of activity found on the other beaches nearby. Revdanda Beach Fort (8 km) Much of this Portuguese fort is in ruins and run over by betel nut plantations. A seven-storey tower thrusts its weather-beaten, vegetation-covered head over slender-trunk palm trees on which the betel nut fruit grow. A gaping cannonball hole in the rampart walls frames the sea. Datta Mandir (8 km from Revdanda) The red-domed temple peers out from the summit of a hill draped with rich green vegetation. The 20-minute, fairly strenuous climb to the top is rewarded with not only a darshan of the gods but also a panoramic view of the entire coastal belt.