The sand, the clear water, the palm trees, & the coconut trees, Tamil Nadu beaches have everything for a perfect beach holiday. For tourists planning a holiday in The Land of Temples – Tamil Nadu, you should visit the beaches as they offer a unique experience.
Beaches in Tamil Nadu are not just a place to spend your vacation. It is a relaxing place where you can find peace, have fun and forget about the busy city! From walking along Marina Beach to karting in Golden Beach, the best Tamil Nadu beaches will suit your need for adventure, relaxation, and fun!
11 Best Beaches in Tamil Nadu You Must Visit for The Magical Experience
- Mahabalipuram Beach
- Marina Beach
- Besant Nagar Beach
- Kanyakumari Beach
- Dhanushkodi Beach Point
- Covelong Beach
- Sothavilai Beach
- Ariyaman Beach
- Kunthukal Beach
- Golden Beach
- Silver Beach
1. Mahabalipuram Beach
Location: Mahabalipuram District, East Coast of India, Tamil Nadu
The pleasant atmosphere and the glittering water make Mahabalipuram Beach one of the best beaches in Tamil Nadu for a vacation. This beach is just 58 km from Chennai, with golden sandy shores and azure waters. The best thing about this beach is its cleanliness. It attracts many tourists from all around the world.
Lay on the golden sandy beach and watch the sun go down on the horizon while listening to the lap of water. This place is breathtaking! The glittering sea water makes the beach an idyllic location for experiencing the vicinity. Just land on this beach and unwind your mind and body from the hustle and bustle of city life.
- Activities: Sports activities, diving, sunbathing, windsurfing, motor boating.
- Nearby Attractions: Dakshinachitra, Five Rathas, Shore Temple, Tiger’s Cave, Open Air Museum.
- Nearby Restaurants: Babu’s Café, Sea Rock Restaurant, Fish and French Fries.
How to Reach: Board a train from the nearest railhead – Chennai Railway Station. Take a taxi or bus to reach Mahabalipuram Beach. You can also opt for a private taxi or cab from Chennai, Thiruvallur, and Kanchipuram to reach the beach.
2. Marina Beach
Location: Mylapore, Marina Beach Road, Tamil Nadu
Marina Beach is the 2nd biggest beach in Tamil Nadu. The enchanting beach, pristine waters, and glistening sands will leave you spellbound. The beauty of Marina Beach can be admired from various angles. Just sit delightfully on the seaside and enjoy the mesmerizing views of Sunrise and sunset.
- Activities: Horseback rides, leisure walking, swimming, tasting south Indian snacks, taking a to the aquarium, watching deep sea-fishes.
- Nearby Attractions: Vivekananda House, Santhome Cathedral Basilica, Connemara Library, Dash’ N Splash, Valluvar Kottam.
- Nearby Restaurants: KFC Santhome, Grill Box Restaurant, Domino’s Pizza, Sky Blue Restaurant.
How to Reach: Take a flight to Anna International Airport in Chennai. The Chennai airport is only 17 km from the beach. You can also board Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminal (CMBT) to reach the beach. Taxi and auto rickshaws can also get you to Marina Beach.
3. Besant Nagar Beach
Location: Besant Nagar, Tamil Nadu
Also known as Elliot’s beach, Besant Nagar Beach is the cleanest beaches in Tamil Nadu. You can have a walk along the beach to experience a blissful day. The white sand and beautiful blue water are an incredible sight to behold here. With the sky painted golden by the sun’s rays, the view of the sea is splendid!
- Activities: Witnessing Sunrise, surfing, boating, sunbathing, Ferris wheel, Buying fresh flowers and selling vendors.
- Nearby Attractions: Annai Velankanni Church, Karl Schmidt Memorial, LightHouse, Huddleston Garden, Aarupadai Veedu Temple.
- Nearby Restaurants: Eden, Murugan Idli Shop, Jonah’s Bistro, and Patisserie.
How to Reach: The nearest Airport to the beach is Chennai International airport. The distance between the Airport and the beach is 14.68 km. Hire a taxi from the Airport. In around 16 minutes, you will be on the beach. 6 minutes.
4. Kanyakumari Beach
Location: Southernmost part of Tamil Nadu
The ocean-tasting beach is an excellent destination for vacation in Chennai. It’s one of the best beaches in Tamil Nadu with the most inviting sea waves. Forming a union of three water bodies, the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean, Kanyakumari Beach attracts innumerable tourists to its beauty!
The clean blue water on the beach and the sea breeze makes this place feel like heaven. While walking along the coast and soaking in the sun, as you look towards the horizon, you see the magnificent view of the Thiruvalluvar Statue, Vivekananda Rock, and a lighthouse.
- Activities: Strolling along the golden shore of the beach, sunbathing, backwater rides on boats, watching LightHouse, and Photography.
- Nearby Attractions: Kanyakumari Wax Museum, Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Gandhi Mandapam, Kanyakumari Amman Temple.
- Nearby Restaurants: Hotel Seaview Restaurant and Bar, Sangam Restaurant, Archana Restaurant, Redsun Bar.
How to Reach: To reach Kanyakumari Beach, take a flight to Trivandrum International Airport, which is 67 km away. Hire a cab or taxi directly to Kanyakumari Beach. Trivandrum Central Railway station connects tourists to the beach.
5. Dhanushkodi Beach Point
Location: Dhanushkodi, Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
Dhanushkodi Beach is one of the prettiest beaches in Tamil Nadu. The beach is surrounded by the Bay of Bengal on one side and the Indian Ocean on another side. The turquoise waters of this beach attract huge crowds of holidaymakers every year.
Spend a day here and witness a dazzling sunset on the shores. You will be amazed at the mesmeric beauty of the azure waters constantly kissing the broad stretch of the sandy coast!
- Activities: Building sand castles, sea surfing, watching the sunset.
- Nearby Attractions: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Memorial, Arichal Munai, Water Bird Sanctuary, Ram Sethu Viewpoint.
- Nearby Restaurants: Mr. Fish, Ahaan – The Restaurant, The Curry.
How to Reach: The nearest Airport from the beach is Madurai (191 km away). To reach Dhanushkodi Beach, one can board a train from Rameshwaram, which is 18 Km away from the beach. The extensive bus network can take tourists to the beach directly via road.
6. Covelong Beach
Location: Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu
The beach is located in a picturesque location, and the beauty of this beach sets it apart from other shores. The entire stretch of the beach is covered with white sand. And the serene blue waters here offer an excellent view for visitors.
Here, on the beach, you can enjoy the thrill of windsurfing and motorboating or unwind and relax by the sea. Believe it, the sublime beauty of the beautiful beach Covelong is not just another beach in Tamil Nadu, but it is a paradise!
- Activities: Surfing, Parasailing, Boating, and Fishing.
- Nearby Attractions: Mahabalipuram, Crocodile Farm, DakshinaChitra Museum.
- Nearby Restaurants: Deep Purple, Bay View Point, Seagull, Fisherman’s cove.
How to Reach: This beach is some 35 kilometers from Trivandrum city. Visitors can travel here by bus. Board a bus from the Chennai Metropolitan Transport Corporation and TNSTC Villupuram. If traveling by air, take a flight to Salem Airport. And hire a taxi to reach the beach, which is 263 km away.
Must Read: – 7 Best Places to Visit in Tamil Nadu in March
7. Sothavilai Beach
Location: West Coast in Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu
Sothavilai beach is one of the top romantic beaches in Tamil Nadu for couples! This beach is a must if you are searching for a quiet romantic spot. This beach is perfect for honeymooners who want to enjoy the beautiful blue waters. The place is immaculate and always has soft breezes. This beach will make you feel rejuvenated after a long tiring day.
- Activities: Swimming, Water Bath, Rest in the resting cottages, Romantic Drive along the sea coast.
- Nearby Attractions: Thanumalayan temple, Ulakkai Aruvi
- Nearby Restaurants: Arya Bhavan, Sea View Restaurant, The Ocean Restaurant.
How to Reach: The nearest Railway Stations from Sothavilai Beach are Kanyakumari or Nagercoil. One can also reach the beach by air. The nearest Airport is located at Thiruvananthapuram. Or, board a bus to Nagercoil followed by another to Sothavilai to reach the beach.
8. Ariyaman Beach
Location: Side of The Palk Bay, Rameswaram District, Tamil Nadu
Ariyaman Beach is a brilliant, magnificent beach that extends to a stretch of 2 km and measures around 150 km in width. The beach is simply breathtaking and looks like a dream. The calm and serene water is a perfect hangout for day lovers. The tall casuarina trees, fine white sand, and azure blue waters will make your trip to Rameswaram an unforgettable experience.
- Activities: water sports, windsurfing, water scooter, boating, parasailing.
- Nearby Attractions: The Ramanathaswamy Temple, Panchamukha Anjaneya temple, Agnitheertham, Muthupettai Ramanathapuram.
- Nearby Restaurants: The Royal Lebanese, Aruba Restaurant.
How to Reach: The beach is around 27 km from Rameshwaram. So, you can reach the beach by boarding cars or buses. You can also come to Ariyaman Beach from Madurai railways/roadways, which is a 178 Km distance.
9. Kunthukal Beach
Location: Gulf of Mannar, Kunthukal Village, Rameshwaram
Kunthukal Beach is among the best beaches in Tamil Nadu for groups of friends and families to go on a vacation. This beach is blessed with heavenly white sand and pale blue water that forms a spectacular contrast. The fresh sea breeze and the soothing sound of the waves will help you relax peacefully and forget your daily worries!
- Activities: Surfing, Swimming, Bathing, Strolling, Water sports.
- Nearby Attractions: Marine Museum, Vivekananda Memorial, Pamban Bridge, and Rameshwaram.
- Nearby Restaurants: Mr. Fish, Café, Hotel Ashoka VEG Restaurant, Abs-a Barbecue Shop.
How to Reach: Roadways are the best transport to reach Kunthukal. The beach is 12 kilometers away from Rameswaram. Board a taxi/bus from Ramersaram to reach the beach. Located around 163 kilometers from Rameswaram lies the nearest Airport at Madurai. Tourists can board a train from the nearest railway station, PAMBAN JN or MANDAPAM.
Must Read: – 9 Best Honeymoon Places in Tamil Nadu
10. Golden Beach
Location: East Coast Road, Injambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Renowned for being one of the best places for beaches in Tamil Nadu, the Golden Beach is the best holiday destination to relax and enjoy with your loved ones. The long sandy stretch, soft golden sore, and clear blue water make it a picturesque beach! In addition to its scenic beauty, its pristine surroundings and safe seawater make it an ideal spot for activities such as swimming, walking, and jogging.
- Activities: Sunbathing, Swimming, Leisure Walking, Jogging.
- Nearby Attractions: VGP Universal Kingdom (amusement park), Art Centre, Aradhana Theatre, Marundeeswarar Temple.
- Nearby Restaurants: Bhangra, Virundhu, Sitcom-The Drama Diner
How to Reach: The best way to reach the best is through Railways. The nearest railway station from Golden Beach is located in Chennai. You can also travel to Golden beach via E Coast Road and Anna Salai/Mount Road/Trichy Chennai Highway. The closest Airport to this beach is the Chennai international airport.
11. Silver Beach
Location: Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu
The southeast coast of India has Silver Beach, which is popular among tourists for its pristine beauty! The water here is calm, the sand is soft, and the sun is warm. This beach is best for a quiet and romantic getaway because it’s left untouched and pure. Take an early morning stroll along the shores, relax on an empty stretch of the sands, and enjoy a light lunch under the dense mangrove trees.
- Activities: Water Sports, Sunbathing, Boating.
- Nearby Attractions: Sri Valli Devasena Shiva Subramanya Temple, Chidambaram Temple, Virudhachalam, Pondicherry Museum, Svaram.
- Nearby Restaurants: Abiram Absolutely Vegetarian Restaurant, Hotel Ananda Bhavan, Adyar Ananda Bhavan.
How to Reach: Silver beach is at a 2 km distance from Cuddalore city. One can board private or government buses from Cuddalore to reach the beach. Hiring a taxi from any part of Cuddalore is another good traveling option.
Wrapping Up
Now you know that these Beaches in Tamil Nadu are some of the most popular beaches in the state, and it’s not strange for tourists to flock to them on weekends to experience a luxurious holiday. If you plan your trip to Tamil Nadu, you can visit the vast coastline of beautiful beaches. Seek peace, relax, and have fun on the best Tamil Nadu beaches!
Popular Tour Packages for Tamil Nadu
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People also ask about Beaches of Tamil Nadu
What are the famous beach destinations in Tamil Nadu?
Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Kanyakumari, Auroville, and Rameshwaram are a handful of famous beach destinations in Tamil Nadu.
Can I swim at public beaches in Chennai?
No, swimming in the water at Chennai beaches is prohibited due to pebbles and rocks. However, you can take a romantic stroll with couples on the seashore.
Is swimming allowed on Mahabalipuram beaches?
No, swimming is not allowed at Mahabalipuram beaches. But you can enjoy sunbathing here in the winter.
Does Kanyakumari beach have water-based activities?
No, Kanyakumari Beach is not suited for water-based activities due to its rocky setting.
Am I allowed swimming in the Pondicherry Beaches?
Yes, there are dozens of beaches in Pondicherry where you can swim, and surf at the same time but at the desired point only.
Which beach in Tamil Nadu is ideal for swimming?
Auroville Beach in Tamil Nadu is ideal for swimming due to its shallow setting.
