On the southwestern shores of the city of Chennai lies Marina Beach, the second-longest urban beach in the world. The 12-kilometer (7-mile) stretch of sandy beach runs from Fort St. George to the north all the way down to Foreshore Estate to the south and sits on the Bay of Bengal. Historically speaking, particularly when Fort St. George was built, the shore wasn’t as wide as it is today and the sea was very close to the fort. Eventually, a harbor and a promenade were built by the British and this paved the way for the beach to be what it is today. Despite the fact that swimming is not allowed on the beach due to the aggressive waves and currents, there are several fun activities you can do on the beach itself and along the promenade. To know more about the beach, and what to do when here, read our guide to Marina Beach.
Things to do / Highlights
Beach activities
Though swimming would be the first activity that would come to mind, unfortunately, swimming is highly discouraged here due to the high tides and waves that have been a cause of tragic incidents in the past. But don’t let this dishearten you! Marina Beach is a vast strip of sand and beach so there are a plethora of activities you can do. You can take a romantic stroll through the beach with your partner during sunset or you can go on a horseback ride if you prefer to not walk. Kite flying is also a fun activity you can do with your family. Others can engage in healthy activities like exercising, beach sports, and yoga. You can also do a bit of local shopping.
Aquarium and Madras Ice House
Two notable attractions on Marina Beach include Madras Ice House and an aquarium. The aquarium is a great place to take your kids and let them see the beautiful creatures of the sea. This aquarium proudly holds the title of being the first aquarium in India. On the other hand, Madras Ice House, more commonly known now as Vivekananda House, is an eye-catching cake-like structure along Marina Beach. The building was originally built in 1842 as a storage house for ice but eventually faltered and was sold. In February 1897, Swami Vivekananda, a famed Indian monk briefly stayed here thus the building was later named in his honor. The house today operates as a historical museum open to the public.
Notable buildings and statues
Aside from the first two mentioned, there are also several other buildings and statues along Marina Beach’s promenade. Many of these depict India’s rich history and heritage. The most notable statues are the Victory of Labor and the Mahatma Gandhi statue while some of the splendid buildings include the University of Madras, the Senate House, Chepauk Palace, and Presidency College, all of which are fine examples of British colonial architecture. Be sure not to miss the Chennai Lighthouse, either. For a small entrance fee, you can get a beautiful panoramic view of the city when you climb to the top.
What to eat
A sea of street food
Marina Beach is one of the top go-to places for many people especially tourists and young folks. Aside from the many activities, there is an abundance of street food on these sandy shores. You will see many vendors spread across the beach selling different kinds of local street food favorites. Some of them are sundal (boiled chickpeas with onion and shredded coconut) and bhajji (a type of skewered fried vegetables dipped in flour). There’s also a lot of fried fish and grilled corn-on-the-cob, which are both cooked fresh in front of you.
Several restaurants
Aside from street food vendors, there are also a number of restaurants lined up along Marina Beach. Many of them are crowd favorites so expect it to be full oftentimes. One of the most popular eateries is Titanic Fast Food, which is a famous hangout among students from the nearby universities. They serve mostly traditional fried Indian favorites. Other restaurants in the area you shouldn’t miss include Zuka Cafe, perfect for your sweet tooth fix, Bistro 1427, which offers vegetarian selections, and Libarrel, which is a great bar to hang out at.
Things to buy
Just like with many touristy places, Marina Beach has its own share of souvenirs to be bought. There are many stalls across the beach selling all sorts of knick-knacks for tourists such as items made of shells, and savories to carry back home.
Travelers tips
Safety at all times
As mentioned earlier, there have been many cases of safety hazards in Marina Beach when it comes to swimming on the beach. The waves become aggressive and sometimes the tide is too strong so it is highly advised to not swim in the waters unless under strict supervision. Tourists must remember that there are no lifeguards on duty here, either. Should you wish to go swimming, you can opt for one of the two swimming pools located further up the beach where you will be safer and you can swim with ease.
Best time to visit
India is a tropical country and the weather can be unpleasantly humid most of the time. It’s no different in Marina Beach. With regard to the weather, the best time to visit would be between November to February, which are the cooler months. You will be able to enjoy the cool breeze from the sea while relaxing at the beach. Be sure to pick a day when it is not too crowded, either. Remember that the beach is really vast so expect large crowds to come and go especially during the lesser humid days.
How to get there
By private vehicle or taxi
The best and easiest way to reach Marina Beach is by driving. You can do so with your own private vehicle or you can hire a taxi to take you there. Just drive down North Beach Road until you reach the promenade of the beach which runs parallel with it.
By bus
You can also take a bus from Mofussil Koyambedu bus stand and take a ride via a Chennai corporation bus.
Marina Beach information
Marina Beach
Address: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Department of tourism: Chennai
Chennai: Marina Beach Heritage Walk
Duration: 3.0 hour
History
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