Dahanu–Bordi Chikoo & Strawberry Belt — India's Sweetest Coast 🍓
The World's Most Unusual Beach Fruit Corridor
The land between Dahanu Beach and Bordi Beach Airport is known as the **"Chikoo Belt"** — a 20-km stretch of coastal land covered almost entirely in chikoo orchards. India produces 75% of the world's chikoo here. Roadside stalls sell ice-cold chikoo milkshakes (₹30), dried chikoo chips, chikoo wine, and jams. Between November and February, **strawberry farms** appear along the same roads — the first farms as you approach Dahanu from Mumbai are Instagram-famous for the strawberry-pick-your-own experience (₹150–200/kg of hand-picked strawberries).Dahanu and Bordi Beaches in Detail
**Dahanu Beach** is the main, slightly more commercial beach in the town itself — clean, wide, with gentle waves and a pleasant promenade lined with chikoo sellers. **Bordi Beach**, 12 km further north (and arguably the better of the two), is considerably quieter with a wide, pristine shoreline and the atmospheric backdrop of orchards reaching almost to the waterline. Both beaches have calm, swimmable sea from October to March and functional (if basic) changing facilities.Parsi Heritage & Bohri Muslim Culture Along the Coast 🔥
The Dahanu area has an extraordinary cultural layering: a significant **Parsi (Zoroastrian)** community has farmed the chikoo orchards here for over a century, building elegant bungalows among the trees. Their fire temples, distinctive funerary towers-of-silence (Dokhmas) on the hills, and the singular Parsi Panchayat buildings give Dahanu a uniquely atmospheric historic character.
Warli Tribal Art — India's Oldest Living Art Form
The forests stretching inland from Dahanu are home to the **Warli tribe** — creators of India's oldest continuous art tradition. Warli paint (white rice paste on ochre walls) features geometricised human dancers, village scenes, and nature — panels that date back 2,500 years. A short drive into the forest villages reveals Warli art-decorated homes and workshops where you can buy authentic Warli paintings (₹200–2,000) directly from the artists.How to Reach Dahanu & Planning Tips 🚆
**Best time:** October to March. November–February specifically for strawberry farms. March–April for chikoo peak harvest.
Reaching Dahanu
Dahanu Road station on the Western Railway is only **10 km from the beach**. All Central/Western Railway long-distance trains from Mumbai CSMT to Gujarat stop here — travel time from CSMT is approximately **2 hours**. Local Western Railway trains from Mumbai's Churchgate also run to Dahanu Road. By road from Mumbai: 130 km via NH48 (2 hrs). From Surat: 130 km south (2 hrs).Things to Do at Dahanu Beach
Flora, Fauna & Food
Local Flora
- • Chikoo Trees
- • Strawberry Farms
- • Casuarina Pine
- • Warli Forest
Marine Fauna
- • Kingfishers
- • Egrets
- • Shore crabs
Local Food
- • Chikoo Milkshake
- • Fresh Strawberries
- • Parsi Dhansak
- • Kokum Sharbat
3-Day Dahanu Beach Itinerary
Where to Stay Near Dahanu Beach
Exploring more of Gujarat?
Dahanu Beach is just one stunning spot along the Gujarat coastline. Discover hidden coves, bustling shores, and detailed itineraries in our dedicated state hub.
View all Gujarat Beaches →What to Eat at Dahanu Beach
How to Reach Dahanu Beach
Dahanu Road station (Western Railway, 2 hrs from Mumbai Churchgate). Auto from station to beach (15 min).
📍 Dahanu Beach on the Map
Every guide is based on personal visits. Arjun has stayed overnight at each featured destination, tested the water sports, eaten at the local shacks, and spoken to fishing communities. No generic writing — only verified, first-hand accounts.
