Haji Ali mosque, and the tomb of a Muslim saint, is located off shore, in the Arabian sea opposite Mahalaxmi temple. During high tide the walkway to the mosque is submerged in the sea and it can be visited only during low tide.

A cluster of white domes rising out of the blue expanse to kiss another blue expanse. Seems that the white domes are there to provide a vital connection between earth and heaven. After meandering through a rocky path, one reaches Haji Ali mosque, which is in the midst of sea. The mosque can be reahed only in low tide as the path connecting to the mosque gets entirely submerged in water during monsoons. In monsoon one gets the impression that entire mosque is floating in the sea and hence Haji Ali is also called the floating mosque of Mumbai.

The mosque is named after a wealthy muslim merchant Haji Ali, who renounced all his worldly belongings before embarking a holy plgrimage to Mecca. The legend goes that Haji Ali died on pilgrimage and miraculously his casket floated back to these shores. The construction of mosque took shape after this incident.

The mosque is surrounded by lofty toweres on corners, and central shrine can be approached through a marble courtyard. Inside there is tomb of Haji Ali covered with green and red full length cloth.The tomb is lying in a silver frame supported by marble pillars and is decorated with mirror work. The faithful tie little red ribbons on wooden lattices to honour the soul of Haji Ali.

Set 500 yards into the sea, there are separate praying rooms for ladies and gents. The whitewashed mosque also has a cool courtyard generally full of people and refreshment stalls. The rocks exposed during low tide at the rare end of the mosque are a favourable spot to catch some cool sea breeze.