Marina Beach runs along the Bay of Bengal in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and is one of the longest city beaches in the world. The sand stretches roughly 12 to 13 kilometres, from the area near Fort St George in the north to the southern end near Besant Nagar. Come for sunrise or sunset over the water, a long walk on the sand, and the memorials along the promenade. In the evenings, stalls sell snacks such as sundal and bajji, and families fly kites and play cricket. Allow time for a slow walk, then sit on the sand and watch the light change.
How the promenade began
The beach took its present form in the 1880s, when Mountstuart Elphinstone Grant Duff, then governor of Madras, had the rough shore developed into a promenade for the city's residents. The name comes from the Italian word for shore or coast, marina.
Today the sand runs from the area near Fort St George in the north to the southern end near Besant Nagar. Measurements differ slightly between accounts, from about 12 to 13 kilometres.
Memorials along the sand
Anna Park sits on the beach and is named after Anna Durai, founder of the DMK party. It also holds the tomb of M.G. Ramachandran, an actor who went on to serve as chief minister of Tamil Nadu. Anna Durai was also a chief minister of the state. Nearby, the Statue of Labour shows workers doing physical labour.
Statues of leaders from the state's history stand at scattered points along the beach. The Gandhi statue is the starting point for a jogging track that runs about 2 kilometres northwards. A statue of Kannagi also stands on the sands and adds a historical note to a coastal walk.
Lighthouse, aquarium and the road behind the beach
The Marina Lighthouse is near the beach, and visitors can climb up for views over the city and the sea. The Chennai Marina Aquarium is close by and shows marine life on a modest scale.
Kamarajar Salai runs parallel to the beach. Along it are Presidency College, the Public Works Department, Chepauk Palace, the Senate House and the All India Radio premises. The road is treated as the starting point of Indo-Saracenic architecture, a style that mixes Islamic and Hindu elements.
Santhome Cathedral Basilica is also close to the beach. The Portuguese founded it in the 16th century, and the British rebuilt it in neo-Gothic style to mark the resting place of St Thomas.
Evenings, food and daily life
Evenings bring the beach to life. Food stalls sell sundal, bajji, murukku, corn on the cob, fresh juices and ice cream, and vendors sell toys, souvenirs and trinkets. Seafood stalls serve fish curry rice and squid fry.
Families fly kites and play cricket on the sand. Children have play areas, and horse and pony rides are on offer. Joggers and walkers use the promenade in the early morning. Fishing boats and the shoreline make good photographs, and the sky often turns colourful at dusk.
Public toilets are available. Swimming is not permitted because of the strong undercurrent. Accounts put daily visitor numbers near 30,000, which is why evenings, weekends and holidays feel crowded.
Perguntas frequentes
Is there an entry fee for Marina Beach?
No. Entry to the beach is free.
Can you swim at Marina Beach?
No. Swimming is not permitted because of the strong undercurrent, so stay on the sand and close to the shore.
How long do you need at Marina Beach?
Plan one to two hours for a walk along the sand. Allow more time if you visit the memorials, the lighthouse and the aquarium.
When is the best time to visit Marina Beach?
Go early in the morning for sunrise, or in the evening for sunset and cool sea breezes. Weekday evenings are quieter than weekends and holidays.
Are there toilets at Marina Beach?
Yes. Public toilets are available on the beach. Cleanliness varies between sections, so use the dustbins.
