Tamil Nadu, situated in the southernmost part of India, is known for several tourism spots filled with lush green spaces, clear skies, clean beaches, and a lovely atmosphere. Although with a bit of a warm climate, the state attracts a lot of tourists every year. One of the most popular tourism here is through the beaches in Tamil Nadu. There are numerous beach places, filled with lovely ambiance, clear waters, clean environment, and plush looks. Both sunrise and sunsets are beautiful from these beaches and surely give you an everlasting experience. Besides the natural beauty, other things one can look forward to in this state includes welcoming mindsets of people in the state and tasty local cuisine.
Today we have compiled a top list of popular beaches in Tamil Nadu, which are not only touristy but also lesser-known, yet gorgeous in their views. Here they are!
Best Beaches in Tamil Nadu:
Our top favorite picks for beach places which can give us guaranteed comfortable and relaxed time with our loved ones include,
1. Marina Beach:
Marina Beach is referred to as the world’s second-longest urban beach in the world. It is located in Chennai. The sunrise here is something to look forward to, and the natural beauty of this beach is very captivating. People usually come here with their families for a break from the routine humdrum. One can find a variety of eatables in the food stalls along with a track for walking, children’s play area, and horse riding. It is also a significant venue for all the crucial functions of the state. This beach name is very famous all across Tamil Nadu.
Things to Do:
- Enjoy seafood
- Enjoy local tasty cuisine
- Long walks with loved ones
- Gorgeous sunrise
How to Reach:
By road: The beach, situated in Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu. It is accessible through public and private road transport.
By rail: Chennai railway junction is the stop where one has to get down in to reach this city. It is well-connected with all other railway stations in the city.
By air: Chennai has an international airport, and one can reach here through domestic and international connections without any hassles.
Best Time to Visit and Places to Stay:
- The best time to visit the city is from October to February. However, the beach offers comfortable time all around the year
- Several guest houses, hotels and resorts are present in the city. One can stay in any area as per their comfort and budget.
Other Attractions:
- Elliot beach
- Thiruvanmiyur beach
- Government museum
- St George fort
Precautions: It is advised not to swim interior in the beach due to sudden heavy waves in the beach.
2. Kovalam Beach:
All those who want to get away from the city’s routine hustle and bustle can enjoy the scenic beauty of this beach. This is one of the famous beaches in Tamilnadu, very near to Chennai city. Kovalam Beach is also known as the pride of Chennai. It is the perfect place for those who are in search of an environment which will let them relax. It is only 20 minutes away from the city of Chennai and easy to access.
Things to Do:
- Enjoy the tasty local seafood cuisine
- Long walks around the lush green surroundings and blue waters
- Gorgeous sunsets
- Photographic moments
How to Reach:
By road: The beach, situated in Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu. It is accessible through public and private road transport.
By rail: Chennai railway junction is the stop where one has to get down in to reach this city. It is well-connected with all other railway stations in the city.
By air: Chennai has an international airport, and one can reach here through domestic and international connections without any hassles.
- Both private vehicles as well as state-run busses are available to reach Kovalam beach from respective hotels or railway stations/airports.
Best Time to Visit and Places to Stay:
- The beach offers a relaxed time for anyone who visits all around the year. However, the peak season is in winter, from November to March.
- One can choose to stay in resorts and hotels just next to the beach or even in guesthouses/hostels/hotels in the center of the city.
Other Attractions:
- Mahabalipuram
- Marina beach
- Snow Kingdom park
- ISCON temple
- St Thomas Mount
Precautions: It is advised not to get interior on the beach due to massive and rash water waves from the beach.
[See More: Honeymoon Places in Tamil Nadu]
3. Elliot Beach:
Also known as Besant Nagar beach, Elliot beach is among the most well-known beaches inside the city of Chennai. It offers quiet and relaxful evenings for all the residents in and around the area and is comparatively less populated than the main Marina beach. It gives a city vibe for the visitors and yet has a charm and lovely environment due to the pleasant climate of the beach.
Things to Do:
- Enjoy tasty seafood
- Restaurants and bars around for dinners
- Long walks around the beach
How to Reach:
By road: The beach, situated in Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu. It is accessible through public and private road transport.
By rail: Chennai railway junction is the stop where one has to get down in to reach this city. It is well-connected with all other railway stations in the city.
By air: Chennai has an international airport, and one can reach here through domestic and international connections without any hassles.
- Both private vehicles, as well as state-run busses, are available to reach Elliot/Besant Nagar beach from respective hotels or railway stations/airports.
Best Time to Visit and Places to Stay:
- Winters are the best time to visit the place. October to March are peak season months for beaches in Chennai
- Several hotels and hostels are available for visitors to reside in the city, as per the budget preference and choice for area location.
Other Attractions:
- Mylapore temple
- Shopping in fancy handmade item shops
- Kalakshetra foundation
4. Mahabalipuram Beach:
The Mahabalipuram beach Tamil Nadu is a beautiful one located in the southern region of Chennai. One can find local fishing boats, and raw atmosphere around, which also is a striking feature from other mainstream beaches. Mahabalipuram is a famous ancient historical site, well known for temples sculpted out of rocks,and stone carvings. It is an important artistic and religious place, just an hour away from Chennai. It is an excellent destination for all the holiday seekers and however, it is crowded during most times of the year.This is among the best beach in Tamil Nadu.
Things to Do:
- Enjoy a peaceful and relaxed time
- Long walks around beach
- Local cuisine and food
- Witness the gorgeous sunrise
How to Reach:
- Chennai is the nearest road/rail/air route to reach Mahabalipuram. Once you reach Chennai, you can either take private transport and vehicle to reach the place (which is an hour away from the city), or even catch frequent state-run busses. To reach Chennai,
By road: The beach, situated in Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu. It is accessible through public and private road transport.
By rail: Chennai railway junction is the stop where one has to get down in to reach this city. It is well-connected with all other railway stations in the city.
By air: Chennai has an international airport, and one can reach here through domestic and international connections without any hassles.
Best Time to Visit and Places to Stay:
- One can visit the site all around the year. However, monsoons and winters are most preferable.
- Limited decent hotels are available inside Mahabalipuram to stay. It is advised either to prebook your accommodation or stay in Chennai.
Other Attractions:
- Shore temple
- Lighthouse
- Pancharathas
- Varaha cave temple
5. Kanyakumari Beach:
In case you are looking for more Tamil Nadu beach places, Kanyakumari may be the one for you! Kanyakumari Beach is located in the extreme south of India. It is known for its sunsets and full moons and is a remarkable place for holidays. The beach has multi-colored sand which makes this place unique and noteworthy. Those who are looking for full-fledged holiday options can visit this place.
Things to Do:
- Enjoy the seafood
- Witness gorgeous sunsets
- Beach activities such as paragliding
How to Reach:
By road: Kanyakumari is well-connected from road transport corporation busses in south India. You can easily catch regular busses from Kerala and in and around places in southern India too
By rail: Kanyakumari railway station is well-connected point from several main cities in India.
By air: Trivandrum airport is the nearest airport (67 km) to reach Kanyakumari.
Best Time to Visit and Places to Stay:
- The place is known for its moderate climate throughout the year. However, the peak season is between October to March every year
- Several hotels and resorts are available around the area for tourists. You can choose the place to stay easily as per your budget and options.
Other Attractions:
- Vivekananda Rock memorial
- Shaktipeeth
- Gandhi Mandapam
- Sunset point
- Thiruvalluvar statue
[See More: Waterfalls In Tamil Nadu]
6. Poompuhar Beach:
Many do not know this beach in Tamil Nadu, but this is known for its calm and secluded nature. The Poompuhar beach is a beautiful beach that has a lot of historical significance and relevance. The stories of this place are found in the famous Tamil epic ‘Silapathikaram’ and carry a lot of importance. This beach is stunning and starts from the Kaveririver. Another significant feature is that the sand around the beach spreads out to more than three km radius.
Things to Do:
- Beautiful sunrise
- Long walks
- Local food stalls
How to Reach:
By road: The road connectivity to Poompuhar is decent enough with busses running from main towns such as Sirkali. There are busses from Chennai and Pondicherry as well.
By road: Sirkali is the nearest railway station (12 km away). You can connect to this station from significant cities like Chennai
By air: Tiruchirapalli is the nearest airport here, which is around 140 km away. You have to rent a private vehicle from the airport to reach this place.
Best Time to Visit and Places to Stay:
- October to March is peak months with pleasant climate and relaxed evenings here.
- There are decent stay options both near to the beach and Nagapattinam. One can choose the best option as per their budget, and it is advised to prebook the accommodation.
Other Attractions:
- Dutch fort
- Museum
- Silappadikaram art gallery
- Thirupallavaneeswaram temple
Precautions: It is recommended not to stay in the beach area post late evenings as it is not a much-crowded area. Swimming is also prohibited here.
7. Rameswaram Beach:
The Rameswaram beach is one of the historical shores of Tamil Nadu since it is believed as the holy land of Lord Rama. This place is full of significant temples which are enshrined with the statues of all the main characters of Ramayana. Those who are looking for a spiritual and religious getaway must visit this place, for both natural beauty and peaceful time.
Things to Do:
- Enjoy beautiful sunrise
- Spend a relaxed time with family
- Photographic moments
How to Reach:
By road: Rameswaram is well-connected by regular state transport busses from major cities in Tamil Nadu.
By rail: The Rameswaram railway station is the nearest point here. One can reach here by taking trains from Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy or other main cities in Southern India
By Air: Madhurai Airport is the nearest point to reach Rameswaram. It is around 160 km away.
Best Time to Visit and Places to Stay:
- Rameswaram beach can be visited all year around. However, the peak season is from October to April every year.
- There are plentiful stay options in and around Rameswaram, ranging from high-level hotels and resorts to budget guesthouses and hotels.
Other Attractions:
- Rameswaram temple
- Agni teertham
- SethuMadhava
8. Muttukadu Beach:
The Muttukadu Beach is a very thrilling, exciting and fun place to be in. It is known for its calm nature and blue seas, given the location of the beach. For those who want to get away from the busy hustle of the city, this beach is best to go for. The estuary adds to the charm of this place.
Things to Do:
- boat riding
- long walks
- witnessing the sunrise
How to Reach:
- Muttukadu beach is located just in the outskirts of Chennai, on the way towards Pondicherry and Mahabalipuram. Chennai is the nearest hub to reach the beach, which can be accessed through state bus or private vehicles.
By road: The beach, situated in Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu. It is accessible through public and private road transport.
By rail: Chennai railway junction is the stop where one has to get down in to reach this city. It is well-connected with all other railway stations in the city.
By air: Chennai has an international airport, and one can reach here through domestic and international connections without any hassles.
Best Time to Visit and Places to Stay:
- Winters are the best time and season of the year to enjoy a pleasant time on the beach. Peak seasons are between October to February
- There are beach houses and resorts in and around the beach, on the outskirts of Chennai. You can either opt to stay there or in hotels inside the center of the city.
Other Attractions:
- Boathouse
- DakshinaChitra museum
- ISCON temple
Precautions: Given its location outside city limits, it is advised not to get interior to water and go swimming inside.
[See More: Tamil Nadu Temples]
9. Vattakottai Beach:
Vattakottai beach is a beautiful and isolated beach located inKanyaKumari, Tamil Nadu. This beach is well known for its exotic beauty with palm trees all around the coastline. This place was known as the Vattakottai Fort during the 18th century. The sunlit beaches, coconut trees, and calm weather make this place worth visiting. Those who love natural beauty and clear coastlines must visit this one. It is surely among top beautiful beaches in Tamil Nadu.
Things to Do:
- Photography
- Long walks around the beach
- Sunrise and sunset watching
How to Reach:
By road: Kanyakumari is well-connected from road transport corporation busses in south India. You can easily catch regular busses from Kerala and in and around places in southern India too
By rail: Kanyakumari railway station is the well-connected point from several main cities in India.
By air: Trivandrum airport is the nearest airport (67 km) to reach Kanyakumari.
Best Time to Visit and Places to Stay:
- The place has a moderate climate all around the year. However, peak season runs between October to March months, when it remains fresh and pleasant.
- There are ample hotels, hostels, guest houses, and resorts in the city of KanyaKumari, where one can arrange their stay.
Other Attractions:
- Sunset point
- Wax museum
- Vivekananda rock memorial
- Kanyakumari beach
- Gandhi memorial
With these several beaches in Tamil Nadu, we hope you found your suitable holiday destination for upcoming plans. While this list is a combination of both city-based beaches and secluded beaches, it is up to you to choose the beach of your choice. Most of these beach places offer to relax, calm and serene experience for those who want to get away to nature. Visit them, and we are sure you would fall in love with these places. Tell us your thoughts; we love to hear from you!
Frequently Asked Questions And Answers:
1. Which is The Largest Beach in India?
Marina beach is said to be the world’s second-largest urban beach comprising a length of 13km. It spans from Marina beach and continues up to Elliot’s beach as well.
2. How to Reach Kanyakumari, and What is The Specialty of The Beach There?
Kanyakumari is the southernmost point of India and is well connected with trains and flights. All major cities in India have trains to Kanyakumari. What makes this beach special is that one can see all the 3 seas, Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea merging at a beautiful point. It is also well known for the multi-colored sands of the beaches.
3. What Are That Other Coastal Districts One Can Visit in Tamil Nadu?
Other places that one can visit for a coastal experience in the state of Tamil Nadu include Kanchipuram, Thanjavur, Cuddalore, Thiruvarur, Villupuram, and Thoothkudi.
