Marina Beach is in Chennai along the Bay of Bengal. It has a long stretch of approximately 12 kilometres from Fort St. George north to the Foreshore Estate in the South. It is one of the most important landmarks of Chennai that draws as many as 30,000 tourists daily. Marina Beach is also the world’s second-longest urban Beach. Beach Timings are 12:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Named after the Italian word ‘Marina’, the beaches were renovated by Governor Mountstuart Elphinstone Grant Duff during the 1880s. Several magnificent monuments and buildings were across the promenade, built at the beginning of the 19th century. A stroll along the walk will be exciting for all history enthusiasts as they spot the statues commemorating the lives of many famous Indian dignitaries.
Marina Beach Timings:
Contents
- 1 Marina Beach Timings:
- 1.0.1 Best time to visit Marina Beach:
- 1.0.2 Marina Beach Entry Fee:
- 1.0.3 Things to do at Marina Beach:
- 1.0.4 Lighthouse:
- 1.0.5 Places to eat near Marina Beach:
- 1.0.6 Tips for visiting:
- 1.0.7 Tourist Places near Marina Beach:
- 1.0.8 Hotels near the Beach:
- 1.0.9 Address & Contact Number:
- 1.0.10 How to reach Marina Beach:
- 1.0.11 FAQs:
- 1.1 Where is Marina Beach located?
- 1.2 Is there any entry fee for Marina Beach, Chennai?
- 1.3 Which part of Marina Beach is best?
- 1.4 What is remarkable about Marina Beach?
- 1.5 Why is Marina Beach so famous?
Beach Timings are 12:00 am to 12:00 pm.
| Days | Timings |
| Monday | 12 am to 12 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 am to 12 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 am to 12 pm |
| Thursday | 12 am to 12 pm |
| Friday | 12 am to 12 pm |
| Saturday | 12 am to 12 pm |
| Sunday | 12 am to 12 pm |
Best time to visit Marina Beach:
The best time to visit Marina Beach in Chennai is from November to February. These months enjoy pleasant weather, and the time is more excellent than the rest of the year. Visitors must avoid going to the beach during the summer as Chennai gets extremely hot, and their skin will be more prone to sunburn and tanning. Avoid the monsoon time due to the high risk of floods. Thus, the best time to visit the Beach in Chennai should be during winter, and morning or evening is ideal.
Marina Beach Entry Fee:
There are no entry fees to visit the beach, which can be seen anytime.
Things to do at Marina Beach:
- Go on a horseback ride along the shore.
- Take a walk with your loved ones by the Beach.
- See the various statues on the Beach and learn the inspiring stories behind them.
- Buy lip-smacking South Indian snacks from the vendors on the Beach.
- Go on a tour of the aquarium and observe the deep-sea fish.
- Visit the Ice House, which houses ice from North American lakes during the British era.
Lighthouse:
Formerly known as Madras Lighthouse, this structure was built in 1976 and was first lit in 1977. It is one of the most popular tourist spots in Chennai, allowing you to witness the mesmerising beauty of Marina Beach and the entire city from the top. It is also one of the few lighthouses with an elevator and is home to the Meteorological Department.
Until 2013, the lighthouse was not open to the public. The visiting hours are 10 am to 1 pm and 3 pm to 5 pm daily, except Monday. There is also an entry fee, i.e. Rs 10 for adults and Rs 5 for children below 12. For foreign nationals, the entry fee is Rs 25.
Places to eat near Marina Beach:
There are plenty of cafes and restaurants surrounding the beach. Here is a list of the most recommended places to eat at or near the Beach:
Titanic Fast Food:
One of the most favourable places to eat near the Beach, Titanic Fast Food is a no-frills, budget eatery suitable for all kinds of travellers. The place is best known for its finger food items such as chicken noodles, fried rice, and Manchurian. It’s a great place to hang out after an exciting day on the Beach.
Bharathi Mess:
Known to be one of the oldest eating joints in the city, Bharati Mess is almost an institution for food lovers in Chennai. The place is known for authentic mess-style delicacies served on fresh banana leaves. The unique fact about Bharathi Mess is that it has an all-women staff.
Firdouse Bayn Restaurant:
Bringing you the best South Indian, North Indian, Arabian and Chinese cuisine, Firdouse Bayn is also one of the most loved places to eat near Marina Beach. The food served here is known for its supreme quality and taste. The menu offers a wide range of snacks, appetisers, and main course dishes.
Tips for visiting:
- Carry sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun’s rays.
- Wear appropriate footwear to walk around the Beach.
- Only try to swim in the sea in the designated areas. Swimming anywhere else is prohibited to maintain the safety of visitors.
- Carry appropriate swimming gear and clothes with you.
- Carry a waterproof bag to put your valuables in before entering the water.
Tourist Places near Marina Beach:
Santhome Cathedral Basilica:
San Thome Church, officially called St Thomas Cathedral Basilica, also the National Shrine of Saint Thomas, is a minor basilica of the Church in India, in the Santhome neighbourhood of Chennai, in Tamil Nadu. The present structure dates to 1523 AD, when the Portuguese rebuilt it over the tomb of Thomas the Apostle.
Vivekananda House:
Vivekanandar Illam, earlier called Castle Kernan or Ice House, is a historical construction in Chennai, India. It was built in 1842 by Frederic Tudor. Indian Saint Swamy Vivekananda stayed in the structure when he visited Madras in 1897, and it was later renamed in his honour.
Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathy Perumal Temple Tiruvallikeni:
Parthasarathy Temple is a 6th-century Hindu Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in Chennai, India. Situated in the neighbourhood of Thiruvallikeni, the temple is glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham. It should be classified as one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu.
Chennai Lighthouse:
At least four lighthouses, Madras Lighthouse and Chennai Lighthouse, face the Bay of Bengal in Chennai, India. The present lighthouse is a landmark on the Beach, built by East Coast Buildings and Industries in 1976 and opened in January 1977. It also houses an office of the meteorological department.
Kutralam Falls:
These falls are considered natural spas, which could remove all your body pains. The river sources of these falls are River Chittra, Manimutharu, Pachaiyar and Tamirabarani, which cascade over 60 m- 92 m. The bitter part of this fall is that it will be overcrowded and thronged with people during the season.
Hotels near the Beach:
- Clarion Hotel President
- The Lotus Hotel Sameera
- Regenta Central Deccan
- E Hotel
- Clarion Hotel President
- Taj Club House
- Le Stay Inn
- La Woods Hotel
- New Regency
Address & Contact Number:
- Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600005, India.
- Contact Number: 1800-425-31111
How to reach Marina Beach:
By Road:
The closest bus stop to the Beach is the Beach bus stop.
By Rail:
The nearest train stations to the Beach are Chepauk, Thiruvallikeni, and Lighthouse.
By Air:
Chennai Airport is the closest and most convenient airport.
FAQs:
Where is Marina Beach located?
The beach in Chennai along the Bay of Bengal is India’s longest and the world’s second-longest beach. This predominantly sandy beach of nearly 12 kilometres extends from Besant Nagar in the South to Fort St. George in the north.
Is there any entry fee for Marina Beach, Chennai?
There are no entry fees to pay to visit the beach; it can be visited anytime.
Which part of Marina Beach is best?
The best part of the beach is the Gandhi Statue.
What is remarkable about Marina Beach?
The beaches are famed for their untouched beauty, cheerful ambience, and rich ecosystems. However, since the middle of the 20th century, the beach water has become polluted. The proliferation of plastic bags, human waste, and other pollutants has rendered many parts of the beach unusable.
Why is Marina Beach so famous?
Marina beach in Chennai, along the Bay of Bengal, is India’s longest and the world’s second-longest Beach. This predominantly sandy strip of nearly 12 kilometres extends from Beasant Nagar in the South to Fort St. George in the north. Governor Mountstuart Elphinstone Grant Duff renovated Chennai beach in the 1880s.
