MARINE DRIVE

Officially known as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road, Marine Drive of Mumbai is a concrete road of 3 kilometers, located in the southern part of the city. It stretches towards the north and forms a bay. Located at the foothills of the Malabar range, this beautiful road attains a ‘C’ shape and connects Babulnath to Nariman Point.

Marine Drive is even known as Sonapur. This beautiful tourist destination is also popularly called Queen’s Necklace as the sparkling streetlights along the huge coastline appear like a chain of stunning pearls at night, creating a virtual picture of an elegant necklace.  

Marine Drive is visited each day by the locals as well as tourists, who come here to experience a break from their monotonous life and breathe some fresh air. The residents of the place flock here in the morning and evening to take their regular walks, jog, and do some simple exercises. Tourists visit the spot to experience the natural beauty of the place, indulge in photography, and enjoy some local food items of the city. People also prefer staying up at Marine Drive late at night and spend a good time in this peaceful and calm environment.

It is believed that Marine Drive is the pride of the ‘City of Dreams’ and the city is incomplete without this mesmerizing spot. The magic of this place adds a charm to the entire city of Mumbai and propels people from all corners of the world. The beauty of this destination is so popular that many travelers land up at Marine Drive as soon as they reach Mumbai for their vacation.  

That being said before you plan your visit to Marine Drive it is worth knowing the history of this place and what the destination has in store for its visitors.

How To Reach

From Mumbai Airport

Marine Drive is located at a distance of 22.3 kilometers from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. Upon reaching Mumbai Airport, you can either take a local train or taxi to reach your destination. If you board a train, it would take you about an hour to reach Marine Line railway station, from where you can reach your destination by auto or cab. However, if you take a taxi, you can reach Marine Drive in 20 minutes.

Other Essential Information

Places to Visit Near Marine Drive:

Taraporewala Aquarium - The Taraporewala Aquarium happens to be the oldest aquarium in India and a major attraction in Mumbai. The aquarium consists of nearly 400 species of underwater animals. Some of the fish species include Butterflyfish, Damselfish, Triggerfish, Angelfish, jellyfish, squirrelfish, batfish, catfish, goldfish, and Marine Eels. The other creatures that can be found in this aquarium are octopuses, alligators, sea turtles, and seahorses. 

Located in Marine Drive, the Taraporewala Aquarium can be visited by tourists from 10 AM to 8 PM throughout the week, except Monday. The place is ideal for people of all age groups. Pictures and videos can be taken at an additional charge.  

Rajabai Clock Tower - Rajabai Clock Tower is counted among the city’s oldest clock towers. The tower has a height of 280 feet and features a mesmerizing architecture. It was constructed over a period of 9 years and the total cost of construction summed up to around two lakh rupees. This structure is still fully functional and shelters the library of Mumbai University on its campus. 

The Rajabai Clock Tower is open for visitors throughout the week and the entry to this structure is absolutely free of cost. Although the place can be visited by everyone, it is popular among the photo fanatics and history buffs. 

Flora Fountain - Flora Fountain is one of the most highly rated tourist spots in Mumbai. The major attractions of this monument are its lush green gardens, beautiful architecture, and of course the stunning light show.

Flora Fountain happens to be a heritage structure of the country. The mesmerizing fountain has been named after the Roman Goddess of Flowers. This spot is surrounded by many prestigious structures, including the Gateway of India. Flora Fountain is open for travelers all through the week. The visitors can head to the destination between 8 AM to 12 PM. The place is ideal for photo fanatics and wanderers.  

Gateway of India - Gateway of India is a uniquely designed landmark of India. The structure marks the chief ports of the country and forms an important tourist spot. Constructed in the year 1924, the Gateway of India is the ‘gate’ via which the last group of the British rulers left the country. This structure is a prized possession of not only Mumbaikars but of all the Indians. The Gateway of India can be visited at any time without any entry fee. It is a suitable tourist spot for photo fanatics and history buffs.  

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya - Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya happens to be the biggest museum of Mumbai. The structure features the perfect blend of British, Hindu, and Islamic architecture. The vast collection at this museum consists of beautiful Buddhist and Hindu sculptures, traditional Indian paintings, and terracotta figurines dating back to the popular Indus Valley Civilization. 

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya is open throughout the week for the visitors from 10.15 AM to 6 PM. The place is considered to be ideal for the history buffs and experience seekers.

Marine Drive History:

The construction of Marine Drive was basically one of the multiple parts of the Back Bay Reclamation Scheme of the British Government. The plan was to dredge the water body and dump boulders into it in order to obtain more land for the westward expansion of the city. Marine Drive construction started in the year 1915 at Girgaum Chowpatty, which was earlier known as Kennedy Sea Face.

A major part of the construction work was finished in the 1930s. During this time, the attention shifted to the architecture of the place and the incorporation of the popular Art Deco fashion was planned. This appeared quite modern and stunning. The rich Parsi migrants and film stars quickly embraced it and started constructing a spree of buildings along the glamorous Marine Drive.

Tips for Visiting Marine Drive:

-Avoid littering at Marine Drive. It’s a public spot and it is the responsibility of everyone to keep it clean. 

-Be cautious and avoid walking on the boulders. It can possibly be very risky if you, unfortunately, slip over them. 

-If you’re heading to Marine Drive in the afternoon, consider carrying a bottle of drinking water, a pair of sunglasses, and a hat. It is also recommended to wear a good sunscreen lotion to avoid tanning in the sun. 

-Avoid visiting the place during heavy downpours as it may be risky.

-Do not indulge in antisocial activities like drinking or abusing.