Pondicherry, the coastal town of India, is known for its beautiful and serene beaches. That magical sound of waves crashing to the shore, the palm trees, soft golden sand touching your feet, peaceful view of the horizon will not fail to mesmerise you! Check these best beaches to visit in Pondicherry.
Paradise Beach
This isolated beach located at Chunnambar is one of the peaceful and serene places you will witness. The best part is that it’s clean and not overly crowded, thereby giving you your quiet time. Moreover, you can also indulge in dolphin spotting activity, which has become quite popular recently.
Popular for: Cleanest beach in Pondicherry coupled with beach activities.
How to reach: The beach is at a distance of 8 km from Pondicherry.
Take an auto/ rent a bike from the main city to “Chunnambar boat house”. Park your bike/car (if any) at their parking space. From this place, take a ferry to the beach. The ferry takes around 20-30 minutes. The entry fee is about INR 150 (USD 2), and chairs at INR 75 (USD 1) per hour. Note: This pristine private beach can be accessed only from the Chunnambar Resort/boathouse.
The beach is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm.
Rock Beach
Rock beach, also known as Promenade beach, is one of the most popular beaches in Pondicherry.
The attraction of this place is not per-se the beach but the ambience and the atmosphere around the place. Strolling down the promenade and enjoying the colonial structures, French villas, French memorials etc., will surely rejuvenate your mind.
The best time to visit is before 7:30 am or after 6 pm, when no vehicle is allowed to enter the entire stretch.
Popular for: Spectacular sunrise and splashing sound of waves.
How to reach: Just 300 meters from white town, you can walk it up to the promenade.
Serenity beach
One of the most pristine beaches in Pondicherry, you will be enchanted by its golden sand, clear water and palm trees as a backdrop. It is very popular for its surfing activity.
Popular for: Surfing along with other activities and flea market.
How to reach: It is located at the northern side of Pondicherry. You can hop on the bus or hire an auto/cab to reach the beach. The bus stand is located at the Centre of the city.
The beach is at 6km distance from the bus stand.
Veerampattinam beach
This beach lies along with the coastal village of Veerampattinam. It lies between Pondicherry and Cuddalore.
If you are curious to know about the culture of fishermen, this place answers your questions! The beach is a hidden gem and unpopular amongst tourists.
Popular for: hosting some upbeat festivals, spending some moments in solitude and mesmerizing sunsets.
How to reach: 7km from the Centre, you can hire an auto or rent a bike to reach. Moreover, buses regularly ply to the village so reaching the place isn’t an issue.
Auroville Beach
As the name suggests, Auro beach is close to Auroville. This is one of the famous beaches in Pondicherry. One cannot deny the serenity that this beach offers.
Generally, local people, coupled with tourists, visit the beach over the weekend. However, on weekdays, the beach is comparatively less crowded. You can spend your day lying on the beach, lazing around, swimming or even surfing!
Known for: Clearwater, seashells and surfing.
How to reach: The beach is about 9.5 km from Pondicherry (Centre/bus stand) and 6 km from Auroville (Matrimandir). Take an auto or rent a bike to reach Auroville.
Reppo Beach
One of the most reviving beaches in Pondicherry, Reppo beach, falls short of words!
Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Reppo beach will rejuvenate your mind and soul! With less crowd and a relaxed atmosphere, it paints a charming picture of beaches in Pondicherry!
Known for: Peaceful ambience.
How to reach: The beach is located near Auroville. Visit this beach at the time of visiting Auroville.
Mahe Beach
Not many have heard of Mahe or know that it forms a part of the Union Territory of Pondicherry.
If you are a sun-chaser, photographer, or simply a nature lover, you will fall in love with this beach. It is one of the secluded beaches in Pondicherry. For its unspoiled beauty and serenity, this tops the list. If you like fishing, try to do it with the locals. It will be one of your life experiences!
If you plan to spend a day here, do not forget to carry your food, water, some essential beach items due to limited options available here.
Popular for: Fishing boats, picturesque view and photography.
How to reach: It is located 27 km from Kannur city.
We know this is nowhere close to a comprehensive list of beaches in Pondicherry. However, we have tried to enlist the top 8 beaches worth your visit, keeping varied parameters and experiences in mind.
Pondicherry is a perfect example of a place in India where history meets modernity. If you have been planning to visit Pondicherry, here is the suggested Pondicherry itinerary for you.
No matter what your reason is to visit Pondicherry, you will end up finding a spot perfectly tailored to make your trip unforgettable! 🙂
Also read: “How to spend 3 days in Dalhousie?”.
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