Akkarai Beach - Chennai

Mention beaches in Chennai and Marina or Besant Nagar usually comes to mind first. But travel further south along the East Coast Road and the character of Chennai's coastline begins to change.

One such stretch is Akkarai Beach, near Sholinganallur.

Compared with Marina or Besant Nagar, Akkarai is smaller and generally feels less urban. There are no long rows of monuments, large promenades or the constant activity associated with Chennai's better-known beaches. What you get instead is a more open stretch of sand, the Bay of Bengal in front and the rapidly developing ECR neighbourhood behind.

A Quieter Beach Along ECR

Akkarai Beach has gradually become familiar to residents of southern Chennai, particularly those living around Sholinganallur, Injambakkam, Panaiyur and the OMR corridor.

The beach is best experienced without expecting too much infrastructure. Come here for the sea, sand and a walk along the shore.

Early morning is particularly pleasant. Chennai's coast faces east, so watching the sun rise over the Bay of Bengal is one of the simple attractions of beaches along this stretch.

Evenings attract more families and groups, especially during weekends.

What I like about Akkarai is that it still feels different from Marina. The scale is smaller. There is less happening around you. That itself can sometimes be the reason to choose it.

Near ISKCON Chennai

Another useful landmark nearby is the ISKCON Chennai temple, located at Hare Krishna Land in Akkarai, off East Coast Road.

This makes it possible to combine the temple and beach during the same trip if you are exploring this part of ECR.

Akkarai today is no longer the distant coastal locality it once was. Sholinganallur and the surrounding areas have grown enormously, and residential developments have moved steadily towards the sea.

The beach, however, still gives you a brief break from all that construction.

Walk a little closer to the water, turn away from the buildings and, for a while, there is only the sand and the Bay of Bengal.

Sometimes a Chennai beach does not need anything more.

Happy travelling.