A Guide To Auro Beach, Pondicherry - Updated 2024

Things to do

Take a walk on the beach

Auro beach is not only a great place to sunbathe and enjoy water activities, but it’s also home to spectacular sunsets and sunrises. For this particular reason, locals and travelers alike often choose to take an evening walk on the beach, just in time to see the beautiful sun setting behind the calm waters. Access to the beach, however, isn’t allowed at night, so visitors will have to leave soon after the sunset. If you’re more of a morning person, you can start your day early, watch the sunrise on the beach, and then stick around for a beach day packed with fun and sun.

Enjoy the calm waters

Auro beach is known for its calm waters that make for an ideal setting for water sports. Surfers and swimmers of all skill levels love coming here to enjoy the small waves and get their adrenaline dose. The conditions are suitable for professional surfers and swimmers, as well as for rookies, so no matter where you situate yourself, you’ll love swimming the waters at Auro beach. The waters aren’t too deep either, so children can play in the water without any worry.

The ideal setting for yoga and meditation

Since the beach doesn’t have too many stalls and doesn’t get excessively noisy, it’s the perfect setting for relaxation, so you can carry on with your yoga or meditation activities in an inspiring location, with the sound of the waves and the sun rays as a backdrop. If you get there early in the morning, you’ll see that you’re far from being the only one to come to the beach to meditate. Many locals enjoy this practice, as it is believed to have excellent effects on your overall mental and physical health.

Don’t leave your camera at home

You might be tempted to leave your valuables in the hotel room, including your photo camera, but don’t. Auro beach is home to spectacular views, especially if you take a walk to enjoy its pristine shoreline or stick around to watch the sunrise or sunset, so it would be a pity not to have the camera with you and be unable to capture the unique moments.

Spot the turtles

The pristine sands on Auro beach are home to Olive Ridley Sea Turles that use the beach for nesting purposes. Visiting the beach when it’s less crowded will increase your chances of spotting the majestic turtles.

Where to eat

You won’t find many shacks and food stalls selling drinks and snacks on the beach, but there are several eating options close to the beach. You can always take a break from the sun and waters, go to lunch, and then return to the beach to catch the sunset. Here are the best and closest options:

Mango Hill Restaurant

Situated at a 10-minute walking distance from the beach, the countryside restaurant serves a blend of European and Indian dishes, with a strong French influence. Some of their most ordered menu items are the fish dishes, including the grilled and smoked fish. They’re open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so you can check them out at any time of the day.

Goodman Restaurant

A little further from the beach than Mango Hill, the Goodman Restaurant is the go-to place if you’re looking to enjoy Asian cuisine. They specialize in Indian and Chinese dishes, are vegetarian-friendly, and very affordable.

Try a local café

The area around Auro beach is buzzing with local cafes, excellent for enjoying a cold drink or sip a cup of coffee after a day at the beach. We recommend you try the Marc’s Café, or Moka Café.

Travel tips

Best time to visit

If you’re planning to make the most of India’s beach life while in Pondicherry, you should take into account that, although counter-intuitive, the best time to visit is in winter months (November to March). During this period, the weather is pleasant, so tourists can experience everything the beach has to offer. Indian summer, between March and June, however, is known for its extremely hot and humid weather, so it might be advisable you stay away from the beach in the afternoon if you visit in that period. Between June and October, it’s monsoon season in India, and the heavy rain is not the ideal weather for days at the beach.

Parking

Auro beach visitors should keep in mind that there is no dedicated parking space available at the beach, but there are several options in the area.

How to get there

By car

The fastest and most comfortable way to get to Auro beach from Pondicherry is by car. Situated approximately 8 kilometers (5 miles) from Pondy, the beach is just a 15-minute drive away.

By public transport

If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to get to Auro beach, we recommend taking public transport. The beach is only 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the main bus station in Pondicherry, so it shouldn’t take you more than 20-25 minutes to get to Auro beach.

Where to stay (from USD 16)

1/5 auro beach | where to stay

2/5 where to stay

3/5 where to stay

4/5 where to stay

5/5

Show all photos

When in Pondicherry, you’ll want to be as close to the beach as possible, and that’s exactly what the Selvasi Beach Cottage is all about. Located steps from Auro beach, in Auroville, the resort features double rooms, twin rooms, and family rooms for parties of up to six guests. The property offers a 24-hour front desk, room service, free parking on-site, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi. Rooms boast air conditioning, flat-screen television, a balcony, and an en-suite bathroom. Every morning, guests can enjoy an a la carte or vegetarian breakfast at the accommodation. Several restaurants, a supermarket, and a market are available within walking distance, on the Main Road.

Auro Beach information

Auro Beach

Address: Bommayapalayam, Tamil Nadu 605101, India

Opening hours: 6am - 6pm (daily)

Department of tourism: Pondicherry Tourism