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Neelankarai Beach

Пляж Ниланкарай
India · Beach · Chennai
moderate
Best month: December

Best for

Ideal for locals and lovers of quiet holidays. Suitable for morning jogs, walks and surfing. Not suitable for families with small children due to strong currents.

Best month

December

Water
+28.0°C
Length
1 000 m
Neelankarai Beach is a quiet and scenic beach in southern Chennai, surrounded by fishing villages. It is a calm spot with clean sand, popular for walks and observing local life.
Surface
sand
Waves
moderate
Entry
moderate
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
Neelankarai Beach is a quiet and scenic beach in southern Chennai, surrounded by fishing villages. It is a calm spot with clean sand, popular for walks and observing local life.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • Quiet atmosphere
  • Less crowded than Marina
  • Turtle watching in season
  • Surfing
  • Morning jogs
  • Local atmosphere

Cons

  • Litter in some areas
  • Strong currents
  • Swimming unsafe
  • Limited infrastructure
  • No lifeguards
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for locals and lovers of quiet holidays. Suitable for morning jogs, walks and surfing. Not suitable for families with small children due to strong currents.
Features
What makes this beach unique
Neelankarai Beach (literally "blue shore") is an important sea turtle nesting site in Chennai. It is one of the few city beaches where you can watch turtles in season. The beach is also popular with surfers.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
grey
Sand Texture
Grain size
medium
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
moderate
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
10 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
not needed
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
1 000 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
blue
Water Clarity
moderate
Average Water Temp
+28.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+30.0 °C
Wave Type
moderate
Wave Height
0.8 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
October November December January February March
Season end
March
Best month
December
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
high
Water Quality
Water purity rating
moderate
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
minimal
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
5.0 km
Dangerous creatures
Jellyfish (in season)
Sea urchins
Insurance & Connectivity
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
No
Umbrellas
No
Showers
No
Toilets
No
Changing Rooms
No
Lifeguards
No
First Aid
No
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
Kids Playground
No
Sports Ground
No
Restaurants Nearby
1 pcs
Best restaurants

Local Eateries near Neelankarai Beach

Tamil and Seafood

Local restaurants with traditional Tamil cuisine and fresh seafood.

Nearby cuisines

Tamil

Traditional Tamil cuisine with rice, dal and curry

Must try: Dosa, idli, sambar

Seafood

Fresh seafood from the Bay of Bengal

Must try: Grilled fish, prawns, crab
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
calm
Crowd Level
moderate
Silence Level
moderate
Sunset Quality
beautiful
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
No
Natural Shade
none
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
No
Diving
No
Surfing
Yes
Kayaking / SUP
No
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Swimsuit Flip-flops Cash Camera
Best Time to Swim
Best time is October to March, in the dry season. In the morning it is cooler and there are fewer people. In the evening — beautiful sunsets. Avoid the monsoon season (June–September).
Local Rules
Swimming is not recommended due to strong currents. Exercise caution on rocks. Littering is prohibited. Respect local residents.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Marina Beach

One of the longest urban beaches in the world, 10 km from Neelankarai.

Besant Nagar Beach

Neighbouring beach with more developed infrastructure.

VGP Golden Beach

Family beach with a water park.

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Neelankarai Beach: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — blue, clarity moderate, average temperature +28.0°C, warms up to +30.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Neelankarai Beach: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — moderate. Average wave height — 0.8 m.
Neelankarai Beach: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — moderate. The shallow area extends for 10 metres from the shore. Bottom — sand. Special shoes are not required — the water entry is comfortable.
Neelankarai Beach: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — grey. Texture — medium. Beach length — 1 000 metres.
Neelankarai Beach: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in October, November, December, January, February, March. It ends in March. The best month for a holiday is December. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Neelankarai Beach: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as moderate. Rip currents are likely — swim only in designated areas. Jellyfish risk — low. Shark risk — minimal. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Neelankarai Beach: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: Jellyfish (in season), Sea urchins. We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Neelankarai Beach: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: parking. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Neelankarai Beach: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
There are no lifeguards on the beach — be especially careful when swimming.
Neelankarai Beach: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Local Eateries near Neelankarai Beach. Cuisines available: Tamil, Seafood. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Neelankarai Beach: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Swimsuit, Flip-flops, Cash, Camera.
Neelankarai Beach: when is the best time to swim?
Best time is October to March, in the dry season. In the morning it is cooler and there are fewer people. In the evening — beautiful sunsets. Avoid the monsoon season (June–September).
Neelankarai Beach: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Swimming is not recommended due to strong currents. Exercise caution on rocks. Littering is prohibited. Respect local residents.
Neelankarai Beach: what activities are available?
The beach offers: surfing. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Neelankarai Beach: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for locals and lovers of quiet holidays. Suitable for morning jogs, walks and surfing. Not suitable for families with small children due to strong currents.
Neelankarai Beach: what makes this beach unique?
Neelankarai Beach (literally "blue shore") is an important sea turtle nesting site in Chennai. It is one of the few city beaches where you can watch turtles in season. The beach is also popular with surfers.
Neelankarai Beach: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: Quiet atmosphere, Less crowded than Marina, Turtle watching in season, Surfing, Morning jogs, Local atmosphere. Cons: Litter in some areas, Strong currents, Swimming unsafe, Limited infrastructure, No lifeguards.
Neelankarai Beach: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Marina Beach, Besant Nagar Beach, VGP Golden Beach. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Neelankarai Beach: how do I get to the city of Chennai?
The beach is located near the city of Chennai. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Chennai.

City

Chennai

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.