The black stone sea fort that sits in the surf about a kilometre offshore is the single best reason to come to Alibaug. Built by Shivaji in 1680 and strengthened by his admiral Kanhoji Angre, it was the operational base of the Maratha navy for half a century. At low tide you can walk out across the wet sand from Alibaug beach; at high tide you wade or take a horse cart.
Inside the seven-metre walls are a Ganesh temple (still active), fresh-water wells that work below the high tide line, mosaics of carvings on the gateways, and cannon emplacements pointing out to sea. The whole fort can be walked in an hour. Time your visit for the morning low tide and bring a hat — there is no shade.