FACTS AND FIGURES Beach Area : 13 kilometers Best Time to Visit :November to March INTRODUCTION Marina Beach is considered to be the second longest beach in the world. Blessed with golden sands, and shimmering blue waters Marina beach attracts innumerable tourists every year. Watching the sunrise and sunset from here is an enthralling experience for those who want to amaze on the wonderful phenomena of universe. Marina beach is more a recreational spot for evenings rather than a sunbathing beach. It is an ideal gateway from the busy city of Chennai. Near Marina beach the Aquarium, Icehouse, the Indo- Sarasenic buildings like Chapauk Place, the former home of Karnatic Nawabs, Madras University and the Presidency College are worth full to visit.

LOCATION
Marina beach is located in the eastern side of Chennai city adjoining the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the capital city of South Indian state, Tamil Nadu. It is in the southeastern coast of India. This coast is also known as the Coromandal coast.

SEASON
Marina beach enjoys a hot tropical climate. The temperature variation is very less between summer and winter. There is throughout rainfall in a year. The climate is too humid and the summer is too sultry and hot. But winter is fairly warm. Chennai has a round year tourist season.

DEPTH & LENGTH
Marina beach is specially noted for its long stretch of beach extending to 13 km, which is the Second longest beach in the world. But the depth is also more hence rather than as a holiday beach resort Marina beach is ideal as a spot to spend idle evenings for better recreation.

HISTORY OF POPULARITY Since the time of British rule this beach is used as a recreational center. Now a day too many people including locals and foreign tourists are reaching here to spend evenings. ACTIVITIES Marina beach is noted for spending pleasant evenings rather than surfing, as the beach has very high undercurrent. In the evenings the beach is full of activities with a lot of food stalls and entertaining facilities. Very near to the beach there is an aquarium, which houses some of the tropical sea fishes and fresh water fishes. This aquatic center gives ample opportunities for a close look of the bio-system of the sea. Another spot to be visited near the beach is the Icehouse where once huge ice pieces were stored those brought from the Americas. One can visit some Indo-Sarasenic styled buildings here.

VICINITY
The popular tourist places to be visited near to Marina beach are scattered in Chennai City. Kapaleeswar Temple of 13th century, which is dedicated to Lord Siva, is still housing many ancient inscriptions. Non-Hindus are allowed to enter only into the premises of the temple.

The Sri Parthasarathy Temple was built by the Pallavas, which belong to 8th century. This temple where the main deity is Lord Krishna, houses the five incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Later the Vijayanagar rulers renovated this temple in the 16th Century.

The Portuguese in 14th and 15th Century built the Santhome Cathedral. This cathedral is named after St. Thomas the apostle who arrived here to spread the holly words of God. Little Mount Shrine, the place where St. Thomas preached, is now a pilgrimage center. St. Thomas's Mount is a hill where it is believed that his assassin killed the great Apostle.

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
In the Chennai city a Festival of Carnatic Music and Dance that takes place during the mid-December to mid-January is one of the largest of its kind in India.

TRADITION AND DRESS CODE
No special dress code is advised here, as Marina Beach is more a jogging or a recreational beach. One should be in a decent dress as a great mass is gathered here at evenings.

SHOPPING
As the Chennai city is near to Marina Beach, the visitors are depending the city for shopping. The traditional handicraft and handloom items are very popular among the tourists. The South silk is a rage among the women for centuries. Victoria terminal Institute at Mount road is famous for handicraft and handloom products. Thyagaraja Nagar is known for good quality silk products. Tamil Nadu Emporium is specially noted for bell metal, stone and bronze products.

ACCOMMODATION
As Chennai city is nearby, almost all of the visitors prefer to be accommodated there. An array of accommodation is available ranging from five star hotels to budget hotels. Major hotel chains like Taj Group of Hotels, Welcome Group, Oberoi etc have properties in Chennai. The youth hostels like YMCA, YWCA, International Youth Hostels are also providing good accommodation here.

HOW TO REACH
Chennai International Airport is the Southeastern getaway of India. From here many International as well as domestic airlines are operating flights. Luftansa, British Airways, Sri Lankan Airways, Swiss Air, Singapore airlines etc are operating their Flights to Chennai. Domestic flights are also available to other major cities of India.

Chennai in well connected with all the major cities of India by rail also. Train links Chennai with far northern, eastern, western northeastern parts of India. While the trains are available from Chennai Central Railway Station for Interstate places, the trains operating within the state can get from Egmore station.

The well maintained road system connects Chennai with almost all parts of India. The national highways connect Chennai with certain state capitals. Local buses and Interstate buses are available in Chennai.

OTHER FACILITIES
Near the Marina beach all the modern communication facilities are available. Good seaside restaurants opens here on the evenings. The South Indian fast food and kiosks are abundant here.

SECURITY PRECAUTIONS
As marina beach has heavy undercurrents swimming, surfing and other marine facilities have to be avoided.