Marina Beach

Marina runs about thirteen kilometres along the Chennai seafront and is unusually wide, several hundred metres of sand in places between the promenade and the water, which makes it one of the largest urban beaches anywhere. It was laid out as a promenade in the 1880s. Statues line the walkway, memorials to Tamil political figures stand at the northern end, and the beach fills in the evening with families, cricket, horse rides, vendors selling sundal and bajji, and fishing communities working boats at the northern end. The 2004 tsunami struck here and killed many along this shore.

What you actually see

• The width - several hundred metres of sand between road and sea.
• The evening crowd - families, cricket, vendors and horse rides at dusk.
• The statues and memorials - the promenade line and the northern memorials.
• The fishing boats - working craft at the northern end near the harbour.

When to go

November to February for the coolest weather; evenings are when the beach is used. Cyclone season runs October to December. Summer is severely hot and humid.

Honest expectations

Swimming is prohibited and dangerous; the undertow is strong and drownings occur. Water quality is poor. The beach is littered in places despite cleaning drives. Vendors are persistent.

Nearby

Fort St George lies north; Kapaleeshwarar temple is west in Mylapore.