Longest beach in India – Marina Beach, Chennai

Marina Beach in Chennai, which stretches for nearly 13 kilometers (8.1 miles), has been designated the longest beach in India and the second-longest in the world. The famed urban beach on India's coastline extends from Fort St. George to the Foreshore Estate in the south. And in between, there's enough to see and do, making Marina Beach a definite must-see for every visitor to Chennai, India.

Marina Beach History

Marina Beach has a fascinating history. Before the construction of Madras Harbour, the beach was nothing more than a mudslide infested with mudskippers. Until 1881, when the harbor was established, the beach was developed due to frequent sand dumps towards the present-day road. Mountstuart Elphinstone Grant Duff, the governor of Madras, first observed the pure beauty of the Marina beach and commissioned the construction of a promenade along the stretch of sand. The beach was meticulously worked on from 1881 to 1886, and Elphinstone himself called it the Madras Marina in 1884. From the nineteenth century on, a variety of structures were constructed on the Marina beach's coastline.

How to get to Marina Beach in Chennai?

Marina Beach is less than 20 kilometers from Chennai International Airport and takes 30 to 45 minutes by taxi cab, depending on traffic circumstances. Other kinds of transportation, such as buses, trains, and trishaws, are also available.

Best Time To Visit Marina Beach

November through February is the best time to visit Marina Beach. The temperature is lovely during this time of year, and you are spared the hot and humid atmosphere that Chennai is famed for. It is cooler and more comfortable in the mornings and evenings.

What to expect at Marina Beach

The length of Chennai Marina Beach is not the only thing that stands out; it is also one of the most active beaches in India. According to visitation records, the beach attracts crowds of up to 30,000 people daily. The super-wide shoreline stretches between 300 and 437 meters, giving beachgoers and street merchants plenty of room to spread out and making this stunning beach one of the most lively spots in South India. Your following query maybe, "Can you swim in the Chennai Marina Beach?" No, the answer is no. People are recommended not to swim in this area of the sea. Marina Beach, located along the East-Chennai coastline and facing the Bay of Bengal in the Indian Ocean, features an undercurrent that has shown to be somewhat unexpected and tumultuous at times, making it rather dangerous for beachgoers.

Things to do in Marina Beach

The white sand and sea aren't the only things to expect along India's longest beach. Here are a few important sites not to be missed while exploring the Chennai coastline.

Fun in the sun, sea, and sand

Most visitors are informed that the optimum time to visit this beautiful beach is November to February. Because the humidity is low and the temperature is superb, as opposed to the summer when the entire sea coast is highly heated till it's almost boiling. However, whatever time of year you visit, there are some great beach activities at Marina Beach. Sunrises may be incredibly serene and gorgeous while strolling along this long stretch of beach in the morning.