Have you ever found yourself every now and again, thinking of walking bare feet on still golden sands, the sea breeze blowing through your hair, and the sun in the process of setting into the horizon? It is the magic at the Besant Nagar Beach. The beach invites you to relax, take a breath, and live. Be it with friends, family, or alone, your visit here will help you get in touch with the waves, evening lights, and the soft humming of the sea.
Get ready as the blog is going to unveil the secrets of Besant Nagar Beach, its history, how you can reach there, the best time to visit the beach, and activities that you can enjoy to make unforgettable memories.
About the Besant Nagar Beach
Besant Nagar is a vibrant, but quiet coastal region in South Chennai. It is named after the famous activist Annie Besant. Besant Nagar Beach, also known as Elliot Beach or Bessie, is located on the Bay of Bengal and is clean with coconut trees and fresh air.
Mornings in this place are peaceful as people run or meditate with the sunrise. Evenings are alive, friends come there to chill, children play among themselves, couples walk on the banks of the water, and the urban lights blend with the waves' movement. The best thing about this beach is that it is very balanced between calm and energy, you can prefer to spend some time relaxing or to be part of the flow, depending on your mood.
Essential Information About Besant Nagar Beach
Some vital facts that one must know before going to the beach are:
Besant Nagar Beach Timings: The beach is available all day long since early morning, and it should not be kept too late, like 9 PM time when the activity is minimal.
Besant Nagar Beach Distance: The beach is approximately 1014 km away, depending on the location of the starting point.
Location: The beach is located along the shore of Besant Nagar, which has a direction towards the east towards the Bay of Bengal. You enter the city side of it.
Entry Fees: There is no entry fee. It could have a little change, a parking charge.
Facilities and Safety: The beach is among the cleaner beaches of Chennai and is partially safe, but this does not ensure the safety of swimming due to the tides.
What to carry: Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, water bottle, good and comfortable shoes, sandals and a camera to capture photos.
Best Time to Visit Besant Nagar Beach
Choose the most appropriate moment to visit the beach to make the most out of your trip:
November to February (winter): The best time to visit Chennai is in the winter. It is cool and pleasant with temperatures of about 19-27 degrees Celsius, ideal in terms of walking and admiring the beauty.
Summer & Monsoon: Chennai is very hot and rainy during summer and the heavy monsoon months; thus, it is better to avoid these months.
Sunrise or evening: Try to visit between 6:00- 8:00 AM or 5:00- 7:00 PM in order not to be exposed to the heat in midday.
How to Reach Besant Nagar Beach
Here are easy modes of commuting:
Chennai Airport: The distance between the beach and the airport is approximately 14-15 kilometres. By taxi, it takes 30-45 minutes, depending on the traffic.
From Chennai Central: Cabs and auto-rickshaws will get to Besant Nagar down the main city roads. The route is easy to follow.
By Bus/ Metro/ Auto: You can take the city bus or the metro to the Adyar/Besant Nagar locality and then get on a short auto ride to the beach.
Besant Nagar Beach Direction: Go south to the coast or the main road from central Chennai to Besant Nagar. The sea and sand will be visible to the east.
Things to Do at Besant Nagar Beach
There are a lot of things to do in Chennai, and visiting this beach is one of them. These are the five best activities to experience for a fun-filled day out at the beach.
1. Beach walk & Sunset stroll
One of the best things to do at Besant Nagar Beach is a lengthy stroll along the coastline, watching the surf, the sky change colour, and running through the sand. It is relaxing, mind-clearing, and it is ideal among couples, friends or solo travellers who need peace, unlike the Marina Beach, which is suitable for people who like to party and engage with the crowd.
Timings: Busiest at 5 PM- 7 PM sunset.
Price: Free ( yours or sandals yourself)
2. Relish Street Food & Local snacks
At a distance near the beach, there will be numerous savoury dishes such as fried fish, corn on the cob, mirchi bajji, fresh coconut water, dosa and idli from local shacks and shops. Take a bite, sit on the bench by the prom, and see the world go by. The combination of taste and seashore breeze makes the whole experience something to remember.
Timings: Late afternoons and evenings (4:00 PM -9:00 PM)
Price: ₹50 to ₹300, with regard to food and location.
3. Visit Dashtalakshmi Temple and Karl Schmidt Memorial
Near the beach are some fascinating attractions, such as the grand ornamented Ashtalakshmi Temple, dedicated to eight incarnations of Goddess Lakshmi, and the little heritage monument, which is the Karl Schmidt Memorial, constructed in honour of a sailor who lost his life rescuing an individual at sea. These make your visit to the beach very interesting, a blend of culture, story and sea.
Timings: Temples are normally open in the morning up to the evening (enquire on the local board)
Price: Free entry
4. Spend Time at a Beach Cafe
Feel like sitting back, enjoying coffee or a smoothie, maybe a cold drink and watching the waves? Precisely that is served in the cafes along the promenade at the Besant Nagar Beach. Take a table over the beach, order your favourite, and leave the sea and sound to do the rest. It is best post-walk or a pre-evening supper.
Timings: Usually noon and late in the evening.
Prices: Beverages/ meals ₹150 to ₹500 depending on the place.
5. Kids' Play & Family Time
In case of travelling with family or with children, the beach is very family-friendly. It contains playgrounds, seasonal rides, shaded benches, and sand play space. The children can construct sandcastles, play with kites or play in the water. It is harmless, transparent, and you can observe them with ease as you unwind.
Timings: Morning (8:00 AM-11:00 AM) or evening (4:00 PM-7:00 PM).
Price: Mostly free. Some rides may cost about ₹50 to ₹200.
6. Shopping at Besant Nagar Beach
It is not purely sand and sea, but you can also have a vibrant shopping experience in Besant Nagar. Although there are various shopping places in Chennai but this beach offers a different shopping experience. There are beautiful boutiques, local craft shops, beach shops, souvenirs and cafes along the beach road and in the neighbouring streets that sell craft items. To have a very easy time shopping, plan a morning visit and follow it up with a brunch by the beach.
Timings: 10 am–9 pm
Price: Depends upon what you buying
Besant Nagar Beach Nightlife
As the sun sets and the sea breeze subsides, the area of the Besant Nagar Beach becomes bright. The beach bars, cafes and restaurants are open late, which also offer you sea-view dining, live entertainment, rooftop bars and sleepy lounges. People sell snacks, coconut water, grilled meat and hot dogs in the street. To have a fine evening, take a stroll along the beach, walk on the sand with bare feet, pause and have an ice cream or a beverage, and look at the stars as they are reflected on the water. You can plan a dinner in the vicinity and a bonfire (only in the case of permission) during the night, or take a nighttime couples/family walk.
Travel Tips While Visiting Besant Nagar Beach
Some tips always come in handy while going to a new place for a better trip. A few tips which you should consider are:
Go in the early morning or at sunset to enjoy the most.
Wear light, comfortable clothes, use sunscreen and keep water with you.
One should not swim around; it is best to watch the waves on the beach.
Keep the beach clean with the help of dustbins.
Taste the local snacks such as bajji and tender coconut water.
If you come late in the evening, ensure you stay close to the well-lit areas.
Always check the weather before you go.
Conclusion
The waves in Besant Nagar Beach do motivate you to stop, relax and appreciate the basic pleasures of sea, sand and sky. It may be walking in the early morning, having a snack at night, or sitting down and enjoying the breeze. This beach is a pleasant change of pace. Don’t wait any longer for someone to do it for you. Plan your trip, reserve your car, and arrive at the golden hour to ensure that your visit is swift and unforgettable. Such moments are not merely observed, but experienced. So, bring your hat and your spirit of adventure as Besant Nagar Beach is waiting for all of you.
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