Beaches in Pondicherry

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The most famous beaches in Pondicherry include the Paradise Beach or the Pondicherry beach, Auroville beach and the backwaters at Chunnambar.

The Pondicherry beach (Serenity Beach) is located inside the town and is a popular evening hangout with the locals and the tourists.

Auroville beach is just outside town and is much more peaceful than the Serenity Beach . Chunnambar backwaters are a popular spot for adventure activities such as scuba diving, surfing and other water sports. Near Chunnambar is the serene Paradise Beach.

Read detailed guides on these Pondicherry Beaches:


Auroville Beach
The Auroville Beach is close to Auroville in Pondicherry town. Located around 12 kms from the main Puducherry Town, off the East Coast Road (ECR) just opposite the road leading to Auroville. Its shallow waters and small waves make it an ideal place for swimming.

It is a fairly popular destination on weekends. On weekdays, it is relatively less crowded. There are two monuments of historical importance on the beach.

The sea front is graced by an impressive 4 meter tall statue of Mahatma Gandhi, set amidst eight exquisitely carved pillars and, a wonderful war memorial commemorating the soldiers who lost their lives during the World War I. The Lighthouse and the 284 meters long New Pier are located further south.

Chunnambar boathouse and backwaters
The Chunnambar Boat House is located just 8 kms from the Pondicherry city, along the Cuddalore Main Road. This particular boat house is a place of great tourist attraction.

Whenever you visit Pondicherry, Chunnambar makes an excellent place for relaxation. The water is clear and it is also an ideal place for sun bathing and beach sports.

Chunnambar is situated in Nonangkuppam which is 8 Kms from Pondicherry on the main road to Cuddalore. All buses (minimum charge) going to Cuddalore will take you to the bus-stop near the main gate of the boat house from Pondicherry main bus stand.

What to see in Chunnambar?

Chunnambar is a tropical paradise which is filled with a quiet creek on one side. You can move downstream to the sands also. Tree-houses, for overnight staying, on the backwaters provides you with a relishing experience and an unforgettable one.

The beach at Chunnambar is also known as Plage Paradiso, which is located near the mouth of the backwater. A short, pleasant cruise into the sea from here could reward you with the memorable sight of playful dolphins in natural habitat, horsing around.

Adventure Activities

Pondicherry Tourism enterprise PTTDC has boating, backwater boat tours, trekking and picnics on Paradise Beach for friends and families. The resort offers various kinds of rental boats (speed, motor, sail, rowed paddled and peddled) in addition to beach volleyball and other beach sports. For peddle boat you have to pay Rs.60/hour. For speed or motor boat you have to pay Rs.125 per head for a trip up to paradise beach.

‘Sunrise Panorama’ gives you an unrestricted view of the backwater up to its mouth. ‘Palm house’ on the other hand overlooks the artificial pond and the park. ‘Nest bird’ is the perfect abode for the adventure loving folks; it has a rope ladder that leads to a small balcony, all in a tree

An increasing number of people find pleasure in bird watching at the lakeside bird sanctuary. Pondicherry Tourism authorities offer pleasure boat rides. Pedal boats and row boats are available on hire. A lakeside restaurant serves meals & snacks.

Seagulls is a multi-cuisine restaurant-cum-bar is just near the backwater. It specialises in Chinese and Tandoori food. It is an ideal setting for a theme party or an offbeat get-together. It also serves food in the thatched huts just outside the restaurant. You can also order a picnic lunch to the beach. Here accommodation is available on the three tree top houses that offer you the bliss of eco-tourism.
Tourist Information
Chunnambar Backwater Resort,
Cuddalore Road, Chunnambar, Puducherry.
Tel: 0413 – 2356816


Paradise Beach
Paradise beach, also called Plage Paradiso Beach. This is located at Chunnambar near the mouth of the backwater just outside Pondicherry town in India.

This is located about 8 kms away from Pondicherry towards Cuddalore Main Road. A popular beach attraction outside Pondicherry, this is a must-visit destination.

It is a perfect place for leisure holiday and beach sport. Visitors can sail to the backwaters to the sands and pitch up a cozy sea side tent. One can see playing dolphins if cruised into the sea.


Serenity Beach
The Serenity Beach or the Pondicherry Beach is Pondicherry’s main beach and is located inside the town. It is 1.5 kilometers long.

It’s a beautiful site to watch as it is cool and clean. This beach is ideally suited for relaxation, swimming and sun-bath.

The pleasant breeze from the Bay of Bengal makes us to have a stroll or jog or sit in the parapet by the sea. The beach has a history behind it as this witnessed the bloodiest of the battles between the French and the British.

You cannot get down to the beach as the tides are high and water deep. Embankments have been built in the shore. You can enjoy a cool evening in the rocks on the shore and catch the sun set.

Don’t also miss out snacks sold in the beach such as Kalakkai (fried groundnuts) and Sundal (Peanut Snack) when you laze near the beach.



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