Elephanta Caves from Mumbai: ferry, timings and tips

An hour's boat ride from the Gateway of India, Elephanta Island hides one of India's great treasures: cave temples cut into the rock about 1,500 years ago and dedicated to the god Shiva. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the best half-days out of Mumbai.

Getting there

• Ferries leave from the jetty at the Gateway of India in Colaba, roughly every half hour from about 9 am. The last boat to the island is usually around 2 pm, and the last boat back around 5:30 pm. The crossing takes about an hour each way. Times change with the season, so check on the day.
• Ferry tickets are sold at the jetty. A "deluxe" boat costs a little more and lets you sit on the upper deck.
• On the island, it's a short walk (or a ride on the little toy train, when it's running) from the jetty to the foot of the hill, then about 120 steps up to the caves, lined with stalls. Chairs carried by porters are available for anyone who can't manage the climb.
• Entry tickets for the caves are sold near the top; visitors from abroad pay a higher fee than Indian citizens.
• The caves are closed on Mondays.

What to see

• The Great Cave (Cave 1): a huge pillared hall carved out of solid basalt, with giant panels telling the stories of Shiva.
• Sadashiva (the Trimurti): the famous six-metre, three-headed bust of Shiva as creator, preserver and destroyer, one of the masterpieces of Indian art.
• Ardhanarishvara: Shiva as half man, half woman.
• Gangadhara: Shiva bringing the river Ganga down to earth.
• Cannon Hill: two old British cannons and views back to the Mumbai skyline, a short walk above the caves.

Tips

• Go early: the first ferries are cooler and much quieter.
• Monkeys: keep food and plastic bags out of sight.
• Wear shoes with a good grip and carry water; by midday it can be very hot.
• Monsoon: ferries are often suspended in rough weather between June and September, so keep a back-up day.
• Allow four to five hours from the Gateway of India and back.

Visit with a guide

The carvings come alive when someone tells you their stories. Our Elephanta Island Caves Tour takes care of the ferry and tickets and brings the caves to life, and the Elephanta Caves & South Mumbai Full-Day Tour adds the highlights of South Mumbai in the afternoon. For Buddhist caves in the middle of a forest, see the Kanheri Caves & National Park Trip.