Welcome, beach lovers, to the charming world of spectacular beaches in Tamil Nadu! If you’re looking for sun, sand, and waves, you’ve come to the right place. Tamil Nadu, located in southern India, is a real paradise for beach lovers. Its varied seashore boasts a collection of beaches that cater to every traveler’s desires, whether you’re in the mood to visit a lively place or a calm place.
In this article, we’ll take you on a journey to the beautiful beaches in Tamil Nadu, unveiling the top 10 beaches that you should explore.
10 Best Beaches in Tamil Nadu for Perfect Vacation
1. Mahabalipuram beach
About: It is also known as Mamallapuram. Located 58 km away from Chennai, Mahabalipuram Beach is one of the best beaches in Tamil Nadu. This historic town is a famous place among visitors and a tourist hub in Tamil Nadu. Mahabalipuram Beach is one of the best-known beaches and a center of attraction due to its amazing beauty and picturesque landscapes.
With over 20 km of shoreline, Mahabalipuram Beach is renowned for its sparkling waters and stunning sands. This beach, one of the longest in India, is encircled by the glistening sea and rolling hills. On the shore of Mahabalipuram Beach, there is plenty of sightseeing including the rock-cut temples that stare out over the Bay of Bengal.
Best Weather: Winters
Best time to visit: October to March
Famous for: water sports, sunbathing
Time required:2-3 hours
Entry Fee: Nil
2. Kanyakumari beach
About: Located in the southernmost part of India, the multi-colored sand is the major attraction of Kanyakumari Beach. It is one of the rare things you will find on the best beaches in Tamil Nadu. The amazing view of the colored sand, shining as the sunlight falls on the sand makes the sand look nothing less than a postcard picture.
The beauty promises you scenic beauty throughout the day and night and the beauty becomes more eye-catchy during sunrise and sunset. The sand looks glittering in red color during the sunrise and sunset at Kanyakumari Beach. Not only the day but also the night is equally enchanting. The full moon nights at the beach offer a picture-perfect view on the beach.
Don’t forget to carry your camera along with you to capture these amazing moments. You need to be careful while playing in the sea waves. The beach is rocky, so doesn’t have a swimming option but presents a great place to sit and admire the beauty.
When at the beach, visitors get a chance to buy a variety of shells at the small shops located at the beach. You can also visit other tourist places nearby namely, Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Devi Kanyakumari Temple, and Sangam.
Best Weather: winters
Best time to visit: November to March
Famous for: soft golden sand
Time required:1-2 hrs
3. Marina Beach
About: Marina Beach is one of the best holiday destinations in India. The beach has an Italian name after the Governor-General and it became famous in Chennai in 1881.
Spread over 13km, the shining sands of the beach are as reviving as they are scenic. During the 19th century, many buildings and monuments were built to grab the attention of the visitors visiting the place. Marina Beach is the home to many beautiful buildings and statues. History lovers can find this place of great interest as they can see many statues commemorating the lives of many leading rulers of Indian history.
If you are thinking of something romantic, then you can go for a romantic horse ride by the seashore to enjoy the mesmerizing 360° view of the city from the Chennai lighthouse.
Best Weather: winters
Best time to visit: November to February
Famous for: The aquarium and the Ice House
Time required:1-2 hrs
Entry Fee: Nil
4. Covelong Beach
About: Located near the Bay of Bengal, Covelong Beach was initially established by Saadat Ali for Carnatic Nawabs. Later, it was captured by the French in 1746 and destroyed by the Britishers in 1752. Kovalam Beach offers several activities to keep its visitors engaged in various adventure activities such as Surfing, Parasailing, Boating, and Fishing. Tourists can enjoy the splendid beach by renting a motor boat.
The waves on the beach of Covelong are gentle and calm, making it an ideal destination for surfers to enjoy.
Best Weather: Winters
Best time to visit: November to February
Famous for: Sunbathing, swimming,
Time required:2-3 hrs
Entry Fee: Rs. 10
5. Elliot's Beach
About: Eliot’s Beach aka “Besant Nagar Beach” is present in Besant Nagar, Chennai. He also served as the Governor of Chennai during British times. There is Velankanni Church and the Ashtalakshmi Kovil nearby. The enthralling beach is one of the cleanest and best beaches in Tamil Nadu. If you are on a beach trip to relax then this site is perfect for you to admire the beauty of nature in peace while soaking your feet in the splashing seawater.
It is one of the popular tourist spots in Tamil Nadu which was limited to white people during the Colonial rule. There are plenty of restaurants nearby to offer you delicious cuisines. It is a less crowded beach in comparison to the Marina beach, mostly tourists visit this place. During the evening, you can see youngsters roaming on this beach.
Best Weather: Winters
Best time to visit: November to February
Famous for: cleanest and safest beaches
Time required: 1 to 2 hrs
Entry Fee: Nil
6. Rameshwaram Beach
About: It is located on the side of Palk Bay and extends over 2kms. Rameshwaram Beach is 30 km away from Rameshwaram on the Highway. Rameshwaram Ariyaman Beach is the perfect place for tourists and environmentalists to roam around to admire and capture the beauty of a serene beach. The major point of attraction is that it is the cleanest beach covered with casuarina trees offering shelter to visitors. You can also enjoy various kinds of fun activities including water sports and dry games, as sports like snorkeling, and scuba diving.
Best Weather: Winters
Best time to visit: October to February
Famous for: migratory birds especially flamingos during winters
Time required to 2 hrs
Entry Fee: Nil
7. Golden Beach
About: Located on the Puri coast on the east side of Odisha, Golden Beach extends along the Bay of Bengal. It represents serenity and attracts people to its beauty. The name of the beach, Golden Beach stands for the sparkling gold color of the sand and azure water. Golden Beach is famous for its amazing sunrise and set beauty and offers a perfect retreat for nature lovers. It has calm and gentle waves so it is the best getaway for anyone looking for a day out on a beach.
Best Weather: Summer and winter both
Best time to visit: October to February
Famous for: amazing views of sunrises and sunsets
Time required: 2 to 3 hrs
Entry Fee: Dolphin – 20 Rs per person. Valid for 3 hours.
Oyster – 300 Rs monthly pass per person. Valid for 3 hours on entrance.
Splash – 50 Rs per person. Only valid for the people of Puri.
Shell – 100 Rs per person. Day passes for tourists.
The free entry below is for kids below 10 years of age.
8. Dhanushkodi Beach Point
About: Dhanushkodi Beach is covered with sand on all three sides. This mystery place has a long shore that stretches to 15 km. You can enjoy this beach with your family and friends by taking a walk along it or sitting nearby admiring the beauty of the long sea and blue sky. It can be fatal to bathe or swim on the beach. People who aren’t aware of swimming should not go inside as the beach is 12 feet deep in some areas. Night visits to this place are completely banned.
Best Weather: winter
Best time to visit: October to February
Famous for: Ram Sethu viewpoint
Time required: 1 to 2 hrs
Entry Fee: Nil
9. Silver beach
About: Located 2km away from downtown Cuddalore and stretched to 57 km Silver Beach is on the southeast coast of India. In the state of Tamil Nadu, Silver Beach is located in the Cuddalore district and is named in the list of the longest beaches on the Coromandel Coast and also in Asia. Boating is not available for renting as the boat house has been closed on the beach.
Best Weather: Summers
Best time to visit: September to March
Famous for: the second-longest beach
Time required to 3 hrs
Entry Fee: Nil
10. Kunthukal Beach
About: Present in Pamban Island, Kunthukal Beach is a quaint tourist destination. The beach is located in the fishing village of Kunthukal. It is a place where you can spend some quality time with your loved ones away from the hustle and bustle of the city in a completely peaceful environment. The surreal views of blue water and shiny white sand give an incredible holiday experience to tourists in Tamil Nadu. Vivekananda Memorial is another famous attraction on this beach. You can enjoy swimming, bathing, or strolling around the seashore and allowing water to touch your feet.
Whether you are on a romantic vacation or just for adventure, Kunthukal Beach is a great place to make your beach experience memorable.
Best Weather: Winters
Best time to visit: October to March
Famous for: Swami Vivekananda’s memorial
Time required: 2 to 3 hrs
Entry Fee: Nil
Conclusion
Enough with Tamil Nadu bragging! If you don’t come here and experience the beauty and thrill for yourself, we’re confident you won’t believe it all. Grab a car and head south to India for a long vacation. We are confident that the friendly and hospitable locals would be delighted to welcome you, allow you to partake in their cultural customs, and even tour their beautiful beaches.
FAQs
What makes the Tamil Nadu beaches so special?
The brilliant blue waves are both gentle and violent. The salty and earthy smells carried by the sea breeze, the peaceful sounds of the gulls, and the ocean—all these factors make beaches a place of great interest for visitors. You can find a great area to unwind and reset at the beach if you wish to leave your work stress and hustle behind.
What do people do on beach days?
Other than swimming and playing in the sand, there are a ton of other activities you can do with your family at the beaches in Tamil Nadu. Depending on the beach you visit, you can engage in water sports, participate in beach activities, build sandcastles, and have fun with your loved ones.