Marina Beach is a popular tourist destination which attracts tourists from all over the country and also abroad. People come to the beach, curious to have a closer look at the beach which is the second largest urban beach in the world and obviously the largest in India. The sandy expanse of the Marina Beach has lots to offer to keep visitors engaged and engrossed for hours on end.

What the Beach Offers to Tourist

Marina Beach is situated five kilometers from the center of the Chennai city. The beach stretches for about 13 kilometers which makes it the longest beach in the country and enhances its value as a preferred tourist destination. The position of the beach is further augmented by its reputation as one of the cleanest beaches in the country.

The Various Events Held on the Beach

Marina Beach has rebounded remarkably after the beach was significantly damaged by the tsunami that hit the state in 2004. As one of the most visible and prominent open spaces in the city of Chennai, the beach attracts organizers of many events of regional and national importance. The all-important parades of the Independence and Republic Day are held here and so is the country’s biggest marathon which commences from the Anna Square.

Pongal Celebrations

Every January, the beach sees the celebration of Pongal, which is one of the main festivals observed by the people of Tamil Nadu. It attracts a whopping 150,000 people to partake in the festivities which are held with tremendous enthusiasm and gaiety. The Marina Beach is also a favorite location of movie makers of the Tamil film industry.

Other Key Attractions

There are many other things that the iconic Marina beach offers. The 34-feet artificial waterfall is one of the major attractions. The beach has many statues of iconic Indians, both from the national and the state level near the Anna Square. At the North-End of the beach is the famous Victory War Memorial which has been built to honor the memory of soldiers who laid their lives fighting in the World Wars. One of the most remarkable memorials is called the Triumph of Labor by Debiprasad Roy Choudhary.

What to Do While at Marina Beach

Tourists love the experience of watching the amazing sunrise and sunset which offers captivating and breathtaking sight. The beach has enclosures that contain swaying palm trees that create the perfect situation for a nice, relaxed walk. You can also enjoy horseback rides along the shores. Those who are here for a round of swimming and bathing will be disappointed because it is banned. That’s because of the undercurrent is highly turbulent. Caution must be exercised as there are at least five incidents of drowning reported on an average, every month on the Marina Beach. Sadly, there are no lifeguards deployed on the beach.

Famous Buildings Close to the Beach

Quite close to the Marina beach is the famous aquarium which is home to an amazing and exotic collection of sea fishes and fresh water fishes. Visitors can also view some of the most beautiful buildings one could see in Chennai including the University of Madras, the grandiose Chepauk Palace, the Senate-House and the famous Presidency College. The Ice House is another popular structure located close to the beach.

For the Foodies

If you are hungry, the beach has much to offer. You just have to visit one of the few shacks, cafes and restaurants on the beach. You can enjoy some truly delicious seafood on the beach. There are many multi-cuisine restaurants in Chennai which generally serve vegetarian cuisine but for those who dig non-vegetarian food, there are many options available as well.

How to Reach

By Road

Marina beach is just about 8 kilometers from Chennai. You can take local transport or hire a private taxi to reach the beach.

By Rail

The nearest railway station is Chennai Railway Station which is 16 km from the beach.

By Air

The nearest airport is Chennai International Airport at 17 km from the beach.