The short answer
Khanderi Fort: what visitors should know first
Worth it if you like sea forts and the water is calm: the boat ride from Thal and a slow walk round the bastions and lighthouse take about half a day. Skip it in the monsoon, and confirm boat and landing arrangements locally before you set out.
History and context
The story behind Khanderi Fort
Local accounts say Shivaji surveyed the island in 1670 and that construction began in 1679 under Maynak Bhandari, even though the British and the Siddis resisted. The Siddis responded by fortifying Underi nearby, and the two islands were contested for years.
Kanhoji Angre took command of the Maratha navy in 1708, and the island was later renamed in his honour. The present lighthouse was begun in 1866 and first lit on 1 June 1867; an earlier beacon of 1852 was demolished. The British held the fort from the early nineteenth century.
Useful facts
Khanderi Fort facts at a glance
- Location
- Island off Thal, Alibaug taluka, Raigad district
- Experience type
- Boat trip to an island fort and lighthouse
- Known for
- Maratha bastions, cannon and a Victorian lighthouse
- Built
- Fortified by the Marathas from 1679; lighthouse first lit 1867
- Access
- Boat from Thal, about 3 km; the lighthouse authority also mentions a Port Trust launch
- Also known as
- Kanhoji Angre Island
Why it matters
Why Khanderi Fort is worth your time
Khanderi is one of the pair of island forts that guarded the approach to Bombay harbour in the seventeenth century. The Marathas under Shivaji began fortifying it in 1679, against opposition from the British and the Siddis of Janjira, who answered by occupying neighbouring Underi. The two islands then became a running contest over control of the sea lanes.
What you see today layers three periods: Maratha bastions, Angre-era naval history and a nineteenth-century lighthouse still marking the harbour entrance. The island was later renamed Kanhoji Angre Island, after the Maratha admiral. Standing on it makes the sea-power story of the Konkan coast far clearer than any inland fort can.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The boat crossing
The ride from Thal gives a long view of Khanderi and Underi sitting side by side, which is the clearest way to understand why both were fortified.
- 02
Bastions and cannon
The ramparts hold several bastions and old guns, some on wheeled carriages, with open views over the harbour approach.
- 03
The 1867 lighthouse
A hexagonal tower with balconies that overlook the fort and the sea lane it once guarded.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Drive to Thal village, a short run from Alibaug on the Alibaug to Rewas road, and look for the boats near the shore by Thal market. From the beach you can see two islands in the water: the nearer, lower one is Underi and the farther one is Khanderi. Agree the fare, the waiting time and the return with the boatman before you leave, and wear shoes with grip, because landing happens at a jetty on the island and the sea can be lively.
On the island, two rocky hills are joined by a low channel. Walk the ramparts and bastions first, where old cannon still sit, some on wheeled carriages, then look at the small temples used by the fishing community, including the Vetal temple. Finish at the lighthouse, a hexagonal tower whose balconies give the clearest view of the fort layout and the water around it. Carry your own water and sun protection; there are no facilities to count on.
Pair Khanderi with Underi if the boat operator offers both, and keep a margin on the way back, since wind and tide can change the schedule.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Agree the fare, waiting time and return with the boatman before boarding
- Carry water and a hat; there are no facilities you can rely on
- Wear shoes with grip for the jetty and stepped paths
- Skip the trip in the monsoon or if the sea looks rough
- Ask locally whether the lighthouse is open to visitors that day
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Island off Thal village, about 3 km from the shore and roughly 1 km west of Underi; Thal is a short drive from Alibaug
- Time needed
- Half a day including the boat crossing; 1 to 1.5 hours on the island
- Best time
- October to February in the morning, when the sea is calm; avoid June to September
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- The crossing is the hard part: you board a small boat from the shore and step onto a jetty, which needs steady footing and help for anyone with weak knees. On the island the paths are stepped and uneven, with little shade and no seating, so the lower jetty area and a short rampart stretch are enough for many older visitors.
- Tickets and access
- No fee or booking system is published for the island. Boats are arranged locally at Thal, and the lighthouse is run by the lighthouse authority, so confirm landing and lighthouse access with the boatmen before paying. Fares are not published; agree the price and the waiting time in advance.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Khanderi Fort
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The crossing is the hard part: you board a small boat from the shore and step onto a jetty, which needs steady footing and help for anyone with weak knees. On the island the paths are stepped and uneven, with little shade and no seating, so the lower jetty area and a short rampart stretch are enough for many older visitors.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
How do you reach Khanderi Fort?
By boat from the shore near Thal village, roughly 3 km across the water. Thal is a short drive from Alibaug.
Is Khanderi Fort suitable for senior travellers?
Only with care. Boarding a small boat and the uneven stepped paths make it hard for people with mobility issues; the jetty area alone is a gentler option.
Is there an entry fee or fixed timing?
No fee or fixed timetable is published. Boats run when the sea allows, so confirm arrangements with the boatmen at Thal.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
