The Marina Beach is a beach situated along a 12 km shoreline in the city of Chennai, India along the Bay of Bengal, part of the Indian Ocean. Unlike the short, rocky formations that make up the Juhu Beach in Mumbai on the west coast of India, the Marina is primarily sandy.
Although many locals claim the Marina to be the world's longest, it is the second largest beach in a city after the Ocean Beach, San Francisco, California, the world's longest city beach. There exist, in fact, several longer beaches, including Praia do Cassino in Brazil, Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, Padre Island on the US Gulf Coast, Ninety Mile Beach in Australia and Ninety Mile Beach, New Zealand. A similar beach exists in Dubai, UAE. However, unlike the other beaches, it is an urban beach similar to the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. The width of the beach at the most widest stretch is 437 meters.
View of Marina Beach
Other Places to See around marina Beach
Marina beach is a major tourist attraction. People visiting chennai make it a point to visit the beach. The beach is popular for its shopsand food stalls. The memorials and statues, morning walk, joggers' track, lovers' spot, aquarium, etc., make it a hangout for people of all ages.The sea is rough and waves are strong. There are fishermen colonies present at both ends of the beach.
Facing the Marina Beach stands the Vivekananda House (formerly known as the Ice House) where the great monk stayed for nine days in 1897. The Vivekananda House hosts Art/Painting exhibits about the life and mission of Swami Vivekananda, the ideologies of the Hindu Religion, etc. which form an attraction.
Being the city's primary area for recreation, the entire stretch features numerous statues and monuments that have come up over the years along the beach promenade, called Kamarajar Salai. The stretch is also home to various governmental institutions and historical buildings from the British rule.
Transportation and Other Interesting Places in Marina Beach
Marina Beach is located on the eastern side of Chennai, adjoining the Bay of Bengal. This 12 km long beach is the second longest beach in Asia.
Beautiful stone statues of Tamil scholars, patriots and noted personalities adorn the beach. Among these, the Statue of Labor and the memorials of Annadurai and M G Ramachandran who were the former chief ministers of Tamil Nadu, attract many visitors. There is an aquarium, which has a huge collection of tropical sea fishes and fresh water fishes. To the south of the aquarium is the historic Ice House. The most beautiful buildings in Chennai such as the University of Chennai, Senate House, Chepauk Palace, and Presidency College are located on this beach drive.
Chennai International Airport is about 20 km from downtown Chennai. Chennai Central Railway Station is a major railhead, 4 km from Chennai. |
