There are two types boats (launch) services to Elephanta island from Mumbai city (Gateway of India) : Luxury Type and Economy Type.
Luxury Class ticket cost Rs260. This tickets in both types are valid for the forward and return journeys.
If you have the Luxury ticket, you can return by either services based on the your choice. They collect Rs10 inside the boat to sit on the upper deck. It’s worth this ‘premium’ as you can get a good panoramic view, aslo the crowd and noise is relatively less up the upper deck.
Elephanta ferry ticket counter is located next to the ferry point.
Expect a 30 min to 45 minute long queue at the ferry ticket counter, esp on weekends and holidays.
Ferry timings to Elephanta :
The first boat leaves from the Gateway of India for Elephanta at 9 am. The last boat leaves for elephanta leaves at 3.30 pm.
Every 30 minutes or so a boat leaves for Elephanta. Also note, Elephanta Caves & ferry service to Elephanta island is closed on Mondays.
The ferry travel time is about an hour from .
Ferry timings from Elephanta :
The return ferry schedules from Elephanta typically looks like: the first return boat leaves Elephanta to Gateway of India by 12 noon. The last one at 5.30 pm. There's a return boat approximately in every 30 minutes.
If you are looking for a fastest whirlwind trip to Elephanta catch the first boat to Elephanta at 9am, you'll reach the island by 10 am. Takes another 30 minutes to hike and reach the caves (10.30am). Explore elephanta for an hour or two. Return to catch the earliest return boat.
Weather you make a quick or full day leasure tour, take the first or second boat to Elephanta. You'll enjoy the ambient at the caves, sans the crowd that keep arriving by the subsequent boats!
The advantage of going early, you can leisurely explore the other attractions in Elephanta like the Cannon Hill and other minor caves around the hill.
Or if you are late for the day, catch a boat by 2pm, arrive at Elephanta by 3pm, another 30 min trek to the caves site. You'll have another 1 hour or so to spend at the caves. Return by 5pm so that you'll not miss the last boat back to Mumbai!
BTW , the boat ride per se is not spectacular , expect that you'll get a fine view of the Mumbai Harbor and the Gateway of India with a the Taj Mahal Hotel adjacent to it. Also watch the playful seagulls.
