Chennai Coast: the largest open-air arena that entertains everyone
For centuries (probably) the answer to the question ‘What shall we do now?’ presented by restless children, bored teenagers and aggrieved seniors in Madras to their family and friends was: “Let’s go to the beach”. Chennai’s long winding coastline offers the city’s largest open-air entertainment zone – a democratized space of salt, sea breeze and sunshine, where you don’t have to look for entertainment – it’s just there.
The coast is rich in its offer. One free stop to the south is DakshinaChitra in Muttukadu. Started as a project of the Madras Craft Foundation in the 1980s and opened to the public in 1996, it showcases South Indian art and culture, a veritable treasure trove to feast the eyes (and shop) on, for visitors and locals alike. For those more inclined towards what nature has to offer, the northern stop Pulicat may be the way to go with boat rides and the thrill of spotting flamingos or migratory birds in season.
For about three decades, starting in 1991, Chennaiités had the luxury of an open-air theatre: the iconic Prarthana drive-in theater in Injambakkam, which closed permanently in 2023. But that didn’t stop film screenings on the sand, alongside beach concerts, musical performances, poetry readings and other events big and small.
Water also offers unlimited fun. While swimming is prohibited on Chennai beaches due to dangerous undercurrents, there are many water sports. From backwater boating to surfing in Kovalam, which has become the top destination for the sport, eFoiling, kayaking, sailing, stand-up paddling and wakeboarding, name any sport and you could probably do it on the Chennai coast.
But it can be said that the best pleasure can be found on the beaches themselves. Perhaps there is something magical about the water that washes over the sand.
Even on a humid weekday evening, there is no shortage of people at Marina Beach. Father and daughter dry off after a quick dip in the ocean, the kids frolic on the playground equipment, while the younger tots dig furiously in the sand and fill and tip over buckets. Ponies whine and dig in the sand, their owners look for adventurous people to ride, balloon shooters set up their stalls and merry-go-rounds spin with delighted squeals.
For 13-year-old M. Divya and her friend, the beach is the place to be, even if it means traveling from Puzhal, where they live. A typical evening for the girls involves playing in the park, dipping their feet in the waves, eating spring potatoes and soan papdi and taking pictures of each other. “We come about four to five times a month,” says Divya.
There is something for everyone: toddlers wave bubble wands, older children throw Frisbees and play sports, adults scroll through their phones or flip through books, and even seniors lounge on benches and watch the world go by. For the artistically minded, there’s sand art to experiment with, the endlessly fascinating sea to paint, or a sunset (or sunrise) to photograph. For animal lovers, there are turtle walks or dog chases in the surf in season. For romance, stars and the backdrop of the beautiful Bay of Bengal. For those seeking respite in solitude, crowds offer anonymity. Refreshments are available in abundance and as a bonus you can have your luck revealed. In the past, the sands have also played host to robust games of cricket, football and frisbee.
Mornings are full of activity – Chennai is famous for its energetic walkers, yoga and exercise classes and sports practices, just as the city stirs for its early cup of filter coffee. But the evenings are the best – just as the sun begins to set, the sands turn golden and the air is filled with the smell of coffee heated in steel canteens.
As 10-year-old DM Dhyanesh says when asked what he likes about Marina, “It’s just the sea”.
Published – 27 Aug 2026 23:38 IST