Guide details
Best time to visit
November to February, early morning or late afternoon
How to get there
Along the East Coast Road by car, most within an hour
Highlights
Kovalam Blue Flag beach, Covelong surf point, Mahabalipuram
Good for
Day trips, surfing, sunsets, families
Price range
Mostly free, resort day passes from around Rs 1,000
The coastline south of the city has some of the best beaches near Chennai, and the drive down the East Coast Road is half the fun, past fishing villages, roadside coconut water stalls and the occasional glimpse of the sea. Here are the beaches worth building a trip around.
Kovalam, Chennai’s Blue Flag Beach
Not to be confused with the more famous Kovalam in Kerala, this Kovalam sits near Injambakkam on the East Coast Road, about 20 kilometres from the city centre. It earned Blue Flag certification, an international eco label for clean and well managed beaches, putting it among a small handful of beaches in India to meet that standard. Expect cleaner sand, managed facilities and a calmer atmosphere than the busier city beaches, making it a good spot for a proper swim and a relaxed few hours by the water.
Covelong, for Surfing and a Slower Pace
A little further south, Covelong is best known these days for surfing, thanks to the Covelong Point Surf Festival held here and a handful of surf schools that teach beginners on its gentle breaks. The Sofitel Chennai Mamallapuram sits right on this stretch of coast, but you do not need to be a guest to enjoy the public beach nearby, with fishing boats pulled up on the sand and a much quieter feel than Marina.
Mahabalipuram Beach, Where History Meets the Sea
The beach at Mahabalipuram, around 60 kilometres from Chennai, is inseparable from the Shore Temple that stands right at its edge, its carved stone silhouette catching the light beautifully at sunrise and sunset. It is not the calmest beach for swimming, but as a place to walk, take photographs and combine with a visit to the Five Rathas and Arjuna’s Penance, it is hard to beat.
Elliot’s Beach, the City’s Own Favourite
Elliot’s Beach in Besant Nagar, also called Bessy Beach by locals, is the most convenient option if you do not want to leave the city at all. It is cleaner and less crowded than Marina, with a proper promenade, the Karl Schmidt Memorial, and a row of cafes just off the sand that make it easy to turn an evening walk into a proper outing. Sunday evenings here feel like most of Chennai has had the same idea.
Getting the Timing Right
All of these beaches near Chennai are best visited early in the morning or after four in the afternoon, when the heat has eased off and the light is at its most flattering. Weekdays are far quieter than weekends, especially at Elliot’s Beach and Kovalam, and the cooler months from November to February make the whole coastal drive far more pleasant than the peak of summer.
Making a Day of It
Because Kovalam, Covelong and Mahabalipuram all sit along the same stretch of the East Coast Road, it is entirely possible to combine two or three in a single day trip, starting early, stopping for a swim, and finishing with the Shore Temple at sunset. Pack sunscreen, plenty of water and cash for the small stalls selling tender coconuts along the way, and you have one of the best short escapes Chennai has to offer.