Tamil Nadu boasts of some of the most beautiful beaches in India. From the iconic Marina Beach to the scenic Kanyakumari Beach, other must-visit beaches include Mahabalipuram, Rameswaram, and Pondicherry.
Famous Beaches to Visit in Tamil Nadu
1. Covelong Beach
Covelong Beach has been a rising star in terms of watersports, with windsurfing and swimming being the most likely choices. In fact, beach camping with a campfire in the sands is popular here. At the same time, this location is well-known for fishing, which has been practiced for generations and attracts a number of tourists every day.
Apart from providing pristine natural beauty surrounded by palm trees, the beach is near to old landmarks such as forts, churches, and mosques, as well as the ancient town of Mahabalipuram, since one will surely cross through this Covelong or Kovalam beach on the road to Mahabalipuram. The crocodile farm is also a popular attraction among the locals.
Timings: 5 AM to 10 PM
Address: Covelong, (South) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Nearby Attraction: Mahabalipuram, Marina beach, Snow Kingdom park, ISKCON temple.
2. Kanyakumari Beach
Kanyakumari Beach, also known as Cape Comorin Beach, is one of Kanyakumari’s most mesmerizing destinations. The beautiful beach is a traveler’s paradise, located at the southernmost tip of the Indian peninsula at the combination of three main water bodies. Tourists come from all over the world to visit the golden sand beach on the banks of the glittering sea waves.
The three unique colors of the waters from the Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal, and the Arabian Sea merging with each other will amaze you. The exciting environment is attributed to the breathtaking sunset that can be seen against the majestic coastline.
Timing: 9 AM to 6 PM on all days
Address: Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
Nearby Attraction: Thiruvalluvar Statue, Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Gandhi Mandapam
3. Marina Beach
Marina beach extends over 13 kilometers, making it the country’s longest natural urban beach and the world’s second-largest, as well as India’s most crowded beach, with nearly 30,000 people every day. The scenery of Marina Beach is a mesmerizing and calm sight to behold, with a white sandy shore that appears to spread eternally. The beach has a mostly sandy surface and is lined with merry-go-rounds and tourist shops. You can enjoy the cool evening sea breeze and enjoy a hot plate of crispy sundal and murukku by going for a walk around the Marina beach with your loved ones or even by yourself. It’s breathtaking and wonderful to watch the sun crawl upwards into the sky or even disappear into the ocean from the beach.
Timings: Throughout the day
Address: Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600005
Nearby Attraction: Elliot beach, Thiruvanmiyur beach, Government museum
4. Dhanushkodi Beach
Dhanushkodi Beach is one of India’s most beautiful tourist spots. It is surrounded on one side by the Gulf of Mannar and on the other by the Bay of Bengal, also a popular tourist destination that attracts visitors from far and wide. The enormous sheer awesomeness of this beach is worth a visit due to the endless cerulean water of the ocean and the huge length of coastlines. This alluring beach in Tamilnadu also allows visitors to experience the thrill of sea surfing. It is a wonderful spot for children to get a one-of-a-kind holiday experience in Tamilnadu.
Address: Rameshwaram
Nearer Attractions: Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial, Church of Dhanushkodi, Adam’s Bridge, Ramar Patham Temple
5. Mahabalipuram Beach
Mahabalipuram is well known for its shore temples, which were built by Rajasimha, the Pallava king, in ancient times. The beach stretches for about 20 kilometers, and there are various beautiful beaches all along the coast that are perfect for some relaxation. Every year, the Department of Tourism of the Government of Tamil Nadu organizes a dance festival in this enchanting beauty of Mahabalipuram, where one can observe extremely talented classical dancers performing against the backdrop of the sea. There are also a lot of random resorts along the beach which serve wonderful food to visitors’ full bellies.
Timing: 6.00 AM to 6.00 PM
Address: Mahabalipuram Beach, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 603104
Nearby Attraction: Shore temple, Lighthouse, Pancharathas, Varaha cave temple
5. Elliot’s Beach
Elliot’s Beach is well-known among both tourists and locals of the state. It was an area where only white people were allowed during the colonial period. Local college students and families enjoy the beach. Near the shore, there are numerous eateries serving delicious foods. A police station is stationed at the beach, and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are used to keep the crowd in check and avoid deaths at sea. Travelers visit the beach for sunbathing, relaxing, and seeing the nearby famous ancient structures. People love it since it is usually less crowded than the popular Marina Beach. Various youngsters can be seen walking around the beach in the nighttime hours, as this beach provides the ideal escape from the daily life of urban people.
Timings: 24/7
Address: 6th Avenue, Besant Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600090
Nearby Attractions: Mylapore temple, Shopping in fancy handmade item shops, Kalakshetra foundation
6. VGP Golden Beach
VGP Golden Beach is where you can see the real beauty of Chennai’s coastline. It’s perfect for individuals who wish to get closer to nature and find a peaceful location to spend their time. This resort also has many artistic objects on exhibit that will appeal to individuals who enjoy art and craft. Tennis, cricket, badminton, chess, carrom, and other indoor and outdoor recreational sports are available at this beach resort. When looking for family beach resorts in Chennai, don’t forget to have included VGP Golden Beach Resort in your plan.
Timings: 11:00 am to 7:30 pm (Monday to Friday) and 10:30 am to 8:00 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Address: Injambakkam, Chennai
Nearby Attraction: VGP Snow Kingdom, VGP Universal Kingdom, Express Avenue Mall, Kapaleeshwarar Temple