Chennai is a busy metropolis. It is a coastal city as well. So, the locals hardly look for beaches near Chennai. You might be living in Chennai or you might be planning a trip to this metropolitan city. If you live in Chennai, you might be planning a weekend trip to a beach a bit away from the city. Otherwise, you might be a tourist planning to visit a beach located a bit away from the city.
The purpose of this post is to help you know about the best beaches near Chennai. Let us consider, the Chennai Central Railway Station as the central part of the city. You can know the distance from this railway station to different beaches located near this city from this post.
6 Best Beaches Near Chennai
1. Elliots Beach
Elliots Beach otherwise called Besant Nagar Beach is one of the best beaches near Chennai. From the Chennai Central Railway Station, the beach is located around 13.7 km, while from the Chennai International Airport, it is located around 15.6 km. Near this beach, you can also visit Sri Astakshmi Temple and Arupadai Veedu Murugan Temple. Also, you can visit Annai Velankanni Shrine located close to this beach.
How to Reach?
You can hire a cab from the airport or railway station to reach Elliots Beach. Also, you can travel by MTC or Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses. You can board off the bus at the Astalakshmi Temple bus stop and walk a few kilometres to reach the beach.
Key Attractions & Things to Do
- You can find a lot of vendors selling foodstuff on the beach
- Also, you can visit the Astalakshmi Temple located a few metres away from the beach.
- A few kilometres away from the beach, you can reach the Arupadai Veedu Murugan Temple
- Velankanni Shrine is also located a few kilometres away from the beach
Best Time & Season to Visit
Chennai is generally known for its hot climate. So, you can plan your visit from November to February. These are cooler months. So, you can spend some time on the beach. Try visiting early in the morning so that you can cover both the temple and the beach. Otherwise, try visiting late in the evening.
Duration to See
You can spend around 2-4 hours together in the temple and the beach.
Best Restaurants & Cafes Around
- Savoury Sea Shell
- Barista Lavazza
- Burger Hut
- Just Juice
- KFC
Entry Fee and Ticket Prices
There is no entry fee to enter the Elliots Beach and Astalakshmi Temple.
2. Covelong Beach
Covelong Beach is otherwise called Kovalam Beach. It is one of the best beaches near Chennai. The beach was given the former name by the British as they were not able to pronounce the latter name. Kovalam is a fishing village and coastal suburb located around 40 km away from Chennai International Airport. It is around 39 km away from the Central Railway Station.
How to Reach?
You can hire a cab from the airport or railway station to reach the beach with ease. Otherwise, you can also find MTC buses operated from different parts of the city to reach the beach.
Key Attractions & Things to Do
- You can surf under proper guidance on this beach
- Around 4.4 km away from this beach, you can visit Dakshin Chitra Museum
- You can visit Crocodile Park located around 5.1 km away
- MGM Dizzee World, an amusement park is located around 4.5 km away from this beach
- Indeed, you can spend some quality time on the beach with your friends and family.
Best Time & Season to Visit
The ideal season to visit is between October and March for pleasant weather.
Duration to See
You can spend around 2-3 hours on the beach. Then, you can cover the nearby attractions if time permits.
Best Restaurants & Cafes Around
- Surf Turf Café
- Bay View Point
- Upperdeck
Entry Fee
There is no entry fee to visit the beach. However, you will have to pay if you are taking part in some water sports.
3. Thiruvanmiyur Beach
Again, this is one of the best beaches to visit near Chennai. It is located around 16 km away from Chennai International Airport and Chennai Central Railway Station. This less-crowded and calm beach is ideal for morning walkers and solitude seekers.
How to Reach?
You have the option to hire a cab from the airport or railway station to reach the beach. You can find a lot of cab services like Uber and Ola in Chennai. Otherwise, you can cover the distance with the help of public transportation services.
Key Attractions & Things to Do
- When you spend some time in silence the beach is generally less crowded.
- Also, you can visit the Marundheeswarar Temple near this beach that is dedicated to Lord Shiva
- Within a 7 km travel from this beach, you can reach Elliots Beach. So, you can cover both beaches on the same day.
Best Time & Season to Visit
You can choose cooler months between November and February to visit this beach.
Duration to See
You can spend 2-3 hours on this beach before you head to the temple nearby.
Best Restaurants & Cafes Around
- Bassera
- Cream Stone
- Chakraa Multi Cuisine Restaurant
- Café Coffee Day
- Thalappakkattu
Entry Fee
There is no entry fee to visit this beach.
4. VGP Golden Beach
VGP Golden Beach even though popular for the amusement park is one of the best beaches near Chennai as well. As an amusement park is located very close to the beach, this is one of the best places to visit with family and kids.
How to Reach?
From Chennai Central Railway Station, VGP Golden Beach is located around 23.4 km. You can hire a cab to reach the beach. You can also travel by local MTC buses to reach the beach.
Key Attractions & Things to Do
- The beach is known for its golden sand.
- When you visit the beach, you can also choose to stay at the VGP Golden Beach Resort
- You can also visit the amusement park
- The amusement park opens at 11 am and closes at 7.30 pm
Best Time & Season to Visit
For enjoyable weather, you can consider visiting in a season with moderate sunlight.
Duration to See
You can spend around 2-3 hours on the beach before you visit the amusement park, where you can spend more hours.
Best Restaurants & Cafes Around
- New Town
- Hot pieces of bread
- Charcoal Kitchen
- Beach Garden Restaurants
- Raja Hotel
Entry Fee
The VGP Golden Beach is private and it is part of the VGP Universal Kingdom that includes a resort and an amusement park. So, you will have to pay an entry fee of around Rs.500 per person for adults.
5. Mahabalipuram Beach
You might have heard about Mahabalipuram Cave Temples. These cave temples are noted as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The rock-cut temples are standing tall by the Mahabalipuram Beach. This is a great place to take some stunning pictures amidst the rock statues.
How to Reach?
From the Chennai International Airport, the beach is located around 66 km. You can drive via the scenic East Coast Road to reach the beach. Also, buses are operated from different parts of Chennai to this world heritage site.
Key Attractions & Things to Do
- You can take some stunning pictures by the sea
- If you love to meditate, this is a perfect place
- You can visit the shore temple
- Take some pictures of the Pancha Rathas
- You can visit the nearby museum
- Also, the lighthouse visit is a good option
Best Time & Season to Visit
For a comfortable visit, you can plan your trip anywhere between October and March.
Duration to see
After spending one or two hours on the beach, you can spend more time in the rock-cut temples.
Best Restaurants & Cafes Around
- The Melting Pot
- The Wharf
- Kokommo tikki Shack
- Waters Edge
- Searock Restaurant
Entry Fee & Ticket Prices
There is no entry fee for the beach. For pancha rathas, the entry fee is Rs.40, for shore temple, it is Rs.10.
6. Palavakkam Beach
Palavakkam Beach is one of the best beaches near Chennai to visit. However, this beach is less popular. So, it will be less crowded. If you wish that the beach you choose should have fewer crowds, you can consider visiting this beach.
How to Reach?
From Chennai Central, Palavakkam beach is located around 16 km. So, you can hire a cab to reach the beach easily. Nevertheless, if you do not want to pay for a cab, you can use public bus services operated by the local government to reach the beach.
Key Attractions & Things to Do
- You can enjoy the peaceful ambience in this less-crowded beach
- You can walk along the shore
- Also, you have the option to take a refreshing bath by the sea.
Best Time & Season to Visit
You can visit either in the morning or evening during winter months to explore the beach comfortably.
Duration to See
Similar to other beaches near Chennai, you can spend around 2-3 hours on this beach.
Best Restaurants & Cafes Around
- Bayroot Restaurant
- Sugar Plunge
- Thoondil the Family Restaurant
- East Coast at Madras Square
- Starbucks Coffee ECR
Entry Fee
There is no entry fee to enter Palavakkam Beach.
Checkout my other posts on Chennai and Tamil Nadu:
50 Places to visit Near Chennai
What Is So Unique About Dhanushkodi and Why It Should Be On Your List?
