Marina Beach is a beach in the city of Chennai (Madras), India, along the Bay of Bengal, part of the Indian Ocean. The beach runs from near Fort St. George in the north to in the south, a distance of 13 km. The Marina is primarily sandy, unlike the short, rocky formations that make up the Juhu Beach in Mumbai (Bombay) .

Attractions and activities

Marina beach is a major tourist attraction. People visiting Chennai make a point to visit the beach. The beach is popular for its shops and food stalls. The memorials and statues, morning walk, joggers' track, lovers' spot, aquarium, etc., make it a hangout for people of all ages. The sea is rough and waves are strong. There are fishermen colonies present at both ends of the beach.

Bathing/swimming is illegal at Marina beach and there are no lifeguards stationed here.

The Chennai Corporation previously known as, 'The Madras Corporation' took up the Marina Renovation Project in 2008 which aims at improving landscaping, seating arrangements, walkways and lighting along the promenade and is near completing the work of renovating the beach at a cost of 259.2 million Indian Rupees. There is a skating rink behind the Gandhi Statue which has been improved with hand rails and tiles on the periphery under the Marina Renovation Project. A total of 14 galleries with seating arrangements have been created on the 2.8-km stretch between Triumph of Labour Statue and the Light House. The 3-km stretch from the Anna Square to the Light House has uninterrupted pavement and a sub-road parallel to the main road.

As part of "Chennai Forever" initiative by Tamil Nadu government, a 34-feet tall, artificial Marina Waterfall was installed in September 2005 at a cost of 1.5 million Indian Rupees.