MAGNIFICENT MARINA

Marina Beach is a beach in the city of Chennai, India, along the Bay of Bengal, part of the Indian Ocean. The beach runs from near Fort St. George in the north to Besant Nagar in the south, a distance of about 12 km.[1] The Marina is primarily sandy, unlike the short, rocky formations that make up the Juhu Beach in Mumbai on the west coast of India . Marina is the second longest beach in the world.

A visit to the Marina is considered a must for any tourist coming to Chennai.

Marina beach is a major tourist attraction. People visiting Chennai make a point to visit the beach. The beach is popular for its shops and 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.
Bathing/swimming is illegal at Marina beach and there are no lifeguards stationed here.


The Chennai Corporation took up the Marina Renovation Project in 2008 which aims at improving landscaping, seating arrangements, walkways and lighting along the promenade and is near completing the work of renovating the beach at a cost of 259.2 million Indian Rupees. There is a skating rink behind the Gandhi Statue which has been improved with hand rails and tiles on the periphery under the Marina Renovation Project. A total of 14 galleries with seating arrangements have been created on the 2.8-km stretch between Triumph of Labour Statue and the Light House. The 3-km stretch from the Anna Square to the Light House has uninterrupted pavement and a sub-road parallel to the main road.

As part of "Chennai Forever" initiative by Tamil Nadu government, a 34-feet tall, artificial Marina Waterfall was installed in September 2005 at a cost of 1.5 million Indian Rupees.

On December 26, 2004, a tsunami caused by an earthquake struck the shores of Chennai at around 8:30 AM. The entire coastline of Chennai, including Marina beach, was affected. Sea water engulfed the entire Marina beach.

The New Marina

The renovated Marine Beach was formally declared open on Sunday 20.12.09.

Walking along the famous Marina beach will never be the same again for locals and tourists, with viewing galleries, landscaping and fountains, created as part of a beautification project,

The entire 3.10 km stretch from Labour statue to the Light House now sports a new look, with 14 galleries, a four metre internal walkway along the sands and fountains. A high-tech lighting arrangement has also been put in place to enable visitors enjoy the scenic beauty of the beach at night.

Also on the anvil are facilities like parking areas, creation of children's playing area, facility for physically challenged and setting up of a food court.