Hey, lovely readers! The longest beach in India is Marina which everyone one of you knows. But, do you know that it is also the second-largest beach in the world? Ohh, you knew it too? Well, are you aware of the historical and cultural importance of Marina Beach? I’m sure most of you don’t. So, we will look into every aspect of Marina Beach in this article. Are you eager already? Well, dive into the Marina. Oops, I meant into this Marina blog!
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Where Exactly Marina Is?
We know that the Marina is in Tamil Nadu’s capital, Chennai. And who doesn’t know Chennai?! It is the medical capital of India, the Detriot of Asia, etc. It is also one of the important cities where IT companies thrive! Marina Beach is located along the Coromandel coast in the Bay of Bеngal.
The beach extends for about 12 kilometers starting from St. George Fort in the north, to Beasant Nagar in the south of Chennai. If you are someone from another country who wishes to visit Marina Beach, well, it is just around 18 km from the Chennai Airport. You can directly reach Marina with a metro train from the Airport. Moreover, all you need is only 40 to 50 rupees for this!
Marina Beach – Tracking History
Apart from the fact that the Marina is the longest beach in India, it also has a great historical significance. Marina Beach became prominent when Fort St. George was built in the year 1640. There was a harbor as well near the fort. In the year 1884, Mount Stuart Elphinstone Grant Duff who was the governor of Madras then, felt that the beach was eye-catching and layered the beach.
Later, the beach was called Madras Marina, which was so affected by her appearance. This was the time when Marina Beach became a remarkable place for the people nearby. Today, Marina Beach, the longest beach in India acts as one of the largest tourist destinations that attracts people from all over India and other countries. People in Tamil Nadu will never fail to wet their feet in Marina when they visit Chennai!
Marina: The Longest Beach in India
Marina stands as the longest beach in India and runs for about 12 kilometers in Chennai. It is nearly 300 metres wide on average and the widest part of the Marina beach is 473 metres. That’s a huge number and not many beaches have this big width. The land of Chennai and the Marina whisper tales of eternity, and every grain of sand holds the secrets of time! This beach is not merely long, it’s a bridge between the heartbeats of every Chennaite in the bustling city and the serene pulse of the Bay of Bengal!
World’s Second Longest Beach
If Marina is the second longest beach in the world, then which is the first?! It is the Casino Beach or Praia do Cassino which is located in Brazil along the South Atlantic Ocean, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. When we compare the Marina, the longest beach in India, and the Casino Beach, The Casino is way longer than the Marina and covers about 212 kilometers. But, when you look at the historical significance, it is the Marina that stands high.
Marina Beach Timings
If you ask me what is the time for the beach, it’s fine, the beach watch is open. However, for a better experience, you can visit Marina Beach around 6 to 8 am, and at the same time in the evening. This time can be best to get a fresh, cold air on the beach. Imagine going with the seawaves after a tired day in the office. Looks very relaxed? If you are a sports freak, you can go for a jog along the beach to enjoy the stage as you run!
If you are not in Chennai and are planning to visit Marina Beach, I suggest you come in the months from November to February as it could be the best time with pleasant weather. Witness the longest beach in India and cherish your memories!
The Lighthouse at Marina Beach
One of the best attractions of Marina Beach is Lighthouse. East Coast Constructions and Industries opened it in the year 1977. It is a triangular cylindrical concrete structure with a lantern and double gallery, with 11 stories high. The exact height of the lighthouse is 45.72 meters and the height of the light source is 57 meters. If you want to see this lighthouse, you can leave Monday and go on weeks and weekends. They charge only about rupees. 10 for Indians, Rs. For 5 children, Rs. 25 for foreigners, and Rs. 20 for cameras!
Marina Beach at Night
What is special about Marina at night?! Well, this is the time when the beach is adorned with all light and peaceful wind. Apart from this, there will be many road shops where you can buy food, snacks, or handmad crafts, etc. Marina Beach, India’s longest beach, bathed in the silver glow of the moon, turns into a magical realm after the evening. As the sun retreats beyond the horizon, the waves whisper to the sand, and the salty air dances with your hair. Here, the time slows down, and the simple becomes extraordinary!
Other Longest Beaches in India
If you are a person who cannot visit Marina, then why not try other major beaches in India?! Yes, in addition to Marina Beach, there are ten other longest beaches in India that are beautiful as Marina in Chennai. They are located in various places like Hyderabad, Vizag, etc., let’s see what those beaches are!
1. Colva Beach
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | South Goa |
| Length | Approximately 2.4 km |
| Areas Covered | Extends from Bogmalo to Cabo de Rama |
| Specialty | Known for its powdery white sands and shacks |
| Historical Significance | History of Portuguese influence |
2. Muzhappilangad Beach
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | About 7 km from Thalassery in Kannur |
| Length | 4 km stretch |
| Areas Covered | Part of the Malabar Coast |
| Specialty | Kerala’s only drive-in beach |
| Historical Significance | Culturally rich Malabar region |
3. Ramakrishna Beach – Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Beach Road, Visakhapatnam |
| Length | 3.7 km |
| Areas Covered | East coast of Bay of Bengal |
| Specialty | Named after the nearby Ramakrishna Mission ashram, has some of the best beach resorts in Vizag |
| Historical Significance | Lighthouse guiding ships for decades |
4. Kaup Beach – Udupi, Karnataka, India
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Coastal Karnataka |
| Length | Long sandy shoreline |
| Areas Covered | Panoramic views of the Arabian Sea |
| Specialty | Famous for its lighthouse |
| Historical Significance | The lighthouse dates back to 1901 |
5. Ganpatipule Beach – Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Ratnagiri district |
| Length | 6 km |
| Areas Covered | Near the Ganpatipule Temple |
| Specialty | Known for water sports and religious significance |
| Historical Significance | Centuries-old pilgrimage site |
6. Ahmedpur Mandvi Beach – Junagadh, Gujarat, India
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Near the border of Gujarat and Diu |
| Length | 6 km |
| Areas Covered | Stretches along the Arabian Sea |
| Specialty | Known for water activities and fishing hamlet |
| Historical Significance | Close to historical temples and palaces |
7. Radhanagar Beach – Andaman & Nicobar Islands
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Havelock Island |
| Length | Vast shoreline |
| Areas Covered | The western coast of the island |
| Specialty | Voted as one of the best beaches in Asia |
| Historical Significance | Natural treasure of the Andamans |
8. Swargadwara Beach – Puri, Odisha, India
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Puri |
| Length | 1 km |
| Areas Covered | Main Marine Drive of Puri |
| Specialty | Believed to be the gateway to heaven |
| Historical Significance | Associated with Sri Chaitanya dev and Vaishnava cult |
9. Digha Beach – Digha, West Bengal, India
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Purba Medinipur district |
| Length | 7 km |
| Areas Covered | The northern end of the Bay of Bengal |
| Specialty | Popular sea resort known for its shallow sand beach |
| Historical Significance | History of British influence |
Also read: Tourist Places in Goa
