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.
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.Longest beach
Although many locals claim the Marina to be the world's longest (or second longest) beach, there exist in fact several longer beaches, including Praia do Cassino in Brazil (which is actually the longest beach in the world stretching upto 240 kms), Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, Padre Island on the US Gulf Coast, Ninety Mile Beach in Australia and Ninety Mile Beach, New Zealand. However, unlike the other beaches, it is an urban beach similar to the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro.
Although many locals claim the Marina to be the world's longest (or second longest) beach, there exist in fact several longer beaches, including Praia do Cassino in Brazil (which is actually the longest beach in the world stretching upto 240 kms), Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, Padre Island on the US Gulf Coast, Ninety Mile Beach in Australia and Ninety Mile Beach, New Zealand. However, unlike the other beaches, it is an urban beach similar to the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro.
Extent
A famous characteristic of the beach is the set of stone statues that adorn the roadside area of the beach. Most statues are of Indian/local legends like Mahatma Gandhi, Kannagi, Thiruvalluvar, while others have symbolic significance like the Statue of Labour. Also memor
ials for M. G. Ramachandran and C. N. Annadurai, former Chief ministers of Tamil Nadu and Periyar are present on the beach. Recently, a statue of actor Sivaji Ganesan was installed.
The Marina used to be famed for its pristine beauty, jolly ambiance, and rich ecosystems. However, since the middle of the 20th century, the beach and water has become polluted. A proliferation of plastic bags, human waste and other pollutants have rendered many parts of the beach unusable. In recent years, many voluntary organizations have taken up the task of cleaning up the Marina and protecting the ecosystem. Particular efforts include protection of Olive Ridley turtle nests along the Neelangarai section of the beach. Despite these problems however, a visit to the Marina is a sine qua non for any tourist coming to Chennai.
ials for M. G. Ramachandran and C. N. Annadurai, former Chief ministers of Tamil Nadu and Periyar are present on the beach. Recently, a statue of actor Sivaji Ganesan was installed.The Marina used to be famed for its pristine beauty, jolly ambiance, and rich ecosystems. However, since the middle of the 20th century, the beach and water has become polluted. A proliferation of plastic bags, human waste and other pollutants have rendered many parts of the beach unusable. In recent years, many voluntary organizations have taken up the task of cleaning up the Marina and protecting the ecosystem. Particular efforts include protection of Olive Ridley turtle nests along the Neelangarai section of the beach. Despite these problems however, a visit to the Marina is a sine qua non for any tourist coming to Chennai.
Activities
Visiting Marina beach is a tourist spot. People come for the beach side shops, many samadhis, morning walk, jog, lovers spot, kids take bath or wet their feet, get fresh (salty) air etc. Parallel to Marina beach is the beach road that's reasonably wi
de and has lots of Status. There is a auqarium on the on Marina. For large meetings/gathering in thousands there is/was Seerani Arangam.
While you are sitting on the beach sand, smart merchants (young and old) try to sell you chat food.
As part of "Chennai forever" initiative by Tamil Nadu government, Marina Waterfall (artificial) was installed in Sept 2005.
Visiting Marina beach is a tourist spot. People come for the beach side shops, many samadhis, morning walk, jog, lovers spot, kids take bath or wet their feet, get fresh (salty) air etc. Parallel to Marina beach is the beach road that's reasonably wi
de and has lots of Status. There is a auqarium on the on Marina. For large meetings/gathering in thousands there is/was Seerani Arangam.While you are sitting on the beach sand, smart merchants (young and old) try to sell you chat food.
As part of "Chennai forever" initiative by Tamil Nadu government, Marina Waterfall (artificial) was installed in Sept 2005.
Indian Ocean tsunami
On December 26, 2004, a tsunami caused by an earthquake caused huge destruction killing hundreds of people in the vicinity of the beach, including fishing communities settled nearby. While recovery has been difficult, the community has been hard at work rebuilding their treasured coastline to build morale and make the area attractive to vacationers.
On December 26, 2004, a tsunami caused by an earthquake caused huge destruction killing hundreds of people in the vicinity of the beach, including fishing communities settled nearby. While recovery has been difficult, the community has been hard at work rebuilding their treasured coastline to build morale and make the area attractive to vacationers.
