Chennai Beaches

(Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India)

Chennai is a popular tourist destination for Indians and hosts an extensive set of coastal attractions. Beaches are a fine local asset, and Marina Beach is one of the longest expanses of waterfront sand in the world. Marina Beach serves as a major tourist magnet in Chennai and lies alongside the Bay of Bengal, which is actually a part of the Indian Ocean.

In the past, the beaches of Chennai suffered at the hands of pollution, although in recent years, concerted efforts to clean things up have been successful and the results are clearly apparent. It should be noted that all local beaches close at 22:00 or earlier and this rule is strictly enforced by local police, who regularly patrol the beachfronts.


Many appealing beach resorts around Chennai are accessed by the East Coast Road, with the most popular including the resorts of Blue Lagoon, Buena Vista, Casuarina Bay and Fisherman's Cove.

Marina Beach

Address: South Chennai, India, IN
Marina Beach is around 13 km / 8 miles long and is perfect for early morning or evening walks. The people-watching here is great, with an array of merchants, cricket-playing boys, children flying kites and local families in the mix. As you stroll along the promenade, you will also likely encounter fish markets and even the occasional fortune teller. However, swimming is inadvisable, as the current is unpredictable. Of interest, the Neelangarai section of Marina Beach is known for its 'Olive Ridley' sea turtles, which arrive in large numbers each year in February and March, to lay their eggs in the sand.

Breezy Beach

Address: Valmiki Nagar, Chennai, India, IN
This small beach makes for a quiet escape from city life. As the name suggests, a healthy sea breeze whisks through here most days. Conditions are best in the evening, when a few tourists and local families come out to enjoy the sunset.

Elliot's Beach

Address: Besant Nagar, Chennai, India, IN
Elliot's Beach is probably the best place in Chennai for a seaside escape and resides approximately 2 km / 1.5 miles to the south of Marina Beach, in the Besant Nagar area. The Ashtalakshmi Temple is located here and attracts a steady stream of devotees. This is one of the few beaches in Chennai that is suitable for swimming and draws a crowd of young people each evening, who come here to enjoy the views and a picnic dinner.