The beaches in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu are great picnic spots for Indian and foreign travellers.  It is known for housing the world’s second longest beach, Marina. Beaches in this state are known for their unique charm and quietness. These are perfect places for getting good relaxation as they are far from the hustle bustle of the city life. Apart from the Marina, there are many other small beaches as well here which are lesser-known and therefore more beautiful. The coastal town of Mahabalipuram is lined up with many small beaches that prove to be ideal places for parties and picnics. There are many beach houses and villas as well in and around these areas, where tourists can conduct beach parties with the sound of the waves all over them.

It is a great pleasure to stroll by these beaches under the silver moonlight, sharing some great moments with your loved ones. Beaches in Tamil Nadu are crowded by fitness enthusiasts during the early morning hours for their regular sessions of walking, running, jogging, Yoga, meditation etc. As the first golden rays of the sun fall on the waters of the beach, it gives a refreshing feeling to the early-risers who are already there. Most of the beaches provide a clean atmosphere and pollution free air for people coming here. Visit the Marina beach during the evenings to feel the culture of people here. There are many stories that you can witness in these beaches - excitement of children as they play hide and seek with the waves, their parents having serious conversations about life, policemen patrolling around for safety purposes, lovers sharing intimate moments behind the boats, old aged people conversing to the waters to wipe away their loneliness, small kids selling balloons, savouries and other toys and a lot more. Many of these incidents dominate the culture of beaches in Tamil Nadu.

Some of the Famous Beaches in Tamil Nadu

Marina Beach

Easily the most famous beach of Tamil Nadu, Marina Beach is the second longest beach in the world. The total length of the beach is 13km. Close to 50000 visitors visit the beach every day. It is the pride of Chennai and a must-visit place in the state of Tamil Nadu. All along the beach there are many famous spots like the memorials of CN Annadurai and MG Ramachandran (former Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu), statues of famous Tamilians like Avaiyyar, Kannagi,Bharathiyar, Barathidasan, Ilangovadigal, Kamban, Kannagi, Thiruvalluvar, Kamarajar and Sivaji Ganesan. Statues of other famous personalities like Annie Besant, Mahatma Gandhi, Subash Chandra Bose, Swami Vivekanand, George Uglow Pope, Robert Caldwell etc. can be found here.

Mamallapuram

Also known as Mahabalipuram, this coastal town, at a distance of roughly 55km from Chennai is a delight for beach lovers. There are many beaches all along the town. The famous Shore Temple, where Lord Vishnu is in a reclining pose, is a must-visit place here. The beaches in Mahabalipuram are quite remote, clean and totally unpolluted as they are located far away from the commercial city centres.  One can spot many foreigners in these beaches as these are less crowded and cleaner than most of the other beaches in the state.

Kanyakumari

This is the southern tip of India and is known for its beautiful beach. There is a famous point in this beach known as Triveni Sangamam (meeting point of 3 landmarks). This is the place where the three oceans (Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean) meet. This is a magical point and thousands of people gather at the rocks of the beaches here to visit this point. While you are here, you must not miss to take a ferry and visit the Vivekanandha memorial.

Besant Nagar Beach

Located right in the centre of the city, Besant Nagar Beach is quite a serene beach. With a Devi temple at the background, this temple is crowded by the young and old in equal numbers in the evening hours, who come here for darshan of the Goddess and for enjoying the quietness of sea breeze.