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'''Marina Beach''', or simply the '''Marina''', is a natural [[urban beach]] in [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]], along the [[Bay of Bengal]]. The beach runs from near [[Fort St. George]] in the north to [[Foreshore Estate]] in the south, a distance of {{convert|6.0|km|abbr=on}},<ref>{{cite web |title=Beaches in Tamilnadu |url=http://www.tamilnadutourism.org/places/beaches/default.aspx?catid=C1&subcat1id=C1S2&subcat2id=&sm=C1S2 |access-date=8 May 2007 |publisher=Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation}}</ref> making it the second longest urban beach in the world, after [[Cox's Bazar Beach]].{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}<ref name="ObservingOurEnviron2">{{Cite book |author=EARSeL |title=Observing our environment from space: new solutions for a new millennium ... |publisher=A. A. Balakema |year=2002 |isbn=90-5809-254-2}}</ref><ref name="OT_LongestBeach2">{{cite journal |last=Doctor |first=Geetha |date=November 2008 |title=Favourite Things: Marina Beach |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gTEEAAAAMBAJ&q=Marina+beach&pg=PT28 |journal=Outlook Traveller |publisher=Outlook Publishing |volume=8 |issue=11 |pages=58–60 |access-date=23 October 2011}}</ref><ref name="PhilStar_ASliceOfChennaiLife2">{{Cite news |last=Pamintuan |first=Ana Marie |date=7 October 2012 |title=A slice of Chennai life |url=http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=856692&publicationSubCategoryId=87 |access-date=7 October 2012 |newspaper=PhilStar.com |location=Manila}}</ref> It is a prominent landmark in Chennai.{{short description|Beach in Chennai, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Coord|13.05418|N|80.28368|E|display=title}}
{{Infobox| title = Marina Beach
| headerstyle  = background:#ccf;
| labelstyle   =
| datastyle    =
| image = [[File:Chennai - bird's-eye view.jpg|center|270 px|Marina Beach as seen from the Chennai Lighthouse]]
| caption = Marina Beach as seen from the Chennai Lighthouse
| label2 = Location
| data2   = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| label3  = Coast
| data3   = [[Coromandel Coast|Coromandel]], [[Bay of Bengal]]
| label4  = Type
| data4   = Urban, natural sandy beach
| label5  = Demarcated
| data5   = {{Start date and age|1884}}
| label6  = Total length
| data6   = {{convert|13|km|abbr=on}}
| label7  = Length of promenade
| data7   = {{convert|6|km|abbr=on}}
| label8 = Maximum width
| data8   = {{convert|437|m|abbr=on}}
| label9  = Orientation
| data9   = North–South
| label10  = Notable landmarks
| data10   = [[Lighthouse, Chennai|Lighthouse]], [[Anna Memorial]], [[M.G.R. and Amma Memorial]], [[Napier Bridge]]
| label11  = Governing authority
| data11   = [[Corporation of Chennai]]
}}

The Marina is a primarily sandy beach, with an average width of {{convert|300|m|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite journal
  | last = Kumar
  | first = Manoj
  | title = Fast Track: 48 Hours in Chennai
  | journal = Spiceroute
  | volume = 6
  | issue = 5
  | pages = 32–40
  | publisher = Spicejet
  | date = May 2011
  }}
</ref> and the width at the widest stretch is {{convert|437|m|abbr=on}}. Bathing and swimming at the Marina are legally prohibited because of the dangers, as the undercurrent is very turbulent. It is one of the most crowded beaches in the country and attracts about 30,000 visitors a day during weekdays<ref>{{Cite news
  | title = Corpn seizes filthy food and beverages from Marina
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 11 May 2011
  | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-11/chennai/29532011_1_soft-drinks-water-sachets-marina-beach
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130511204757/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-11/chennai/29532011_1_soft-drinks-water-sachets-marina-beach
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 11 May 2013
  | newspaper = [[The Times of India]]
  | access-date = 8 October 2011}}</ref> and 50,000 visitors a day during the weekends and on holidays.<ref name="BeachToBecomeTouristFriendly"/><ref name="UnsafeZonesForSwimming"/><ref name="PlaceToEscapeHeat">{{Cite news
  | last = TNN 
  | title = Thousands throng Marina to escape heat
  | location = Singara Chennai
  | date = 5 May 2008
  | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-05-05/chennai/27742175_1_marina-beach-heat-wave-besant-nagar
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130511193351/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-05-05/chennai/27742175_1_marina-beach-heat-wave-besant-nagar
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 11 May 2013
  | newspaper = [[The Times of India]]
  | access-date = 5 October 2011}}</ref> During summer months, about 15,000 to 20,000 people visit the beach daily.<ref>{{Cite news
  | last = Kumar
  | first = K Praveen
  | title = Fake parking attendants on the prowl
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 22 April 2008
  | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-04-22/chennai/27752460_1_fake-parking-parking-fee-marina-beach
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130511204301/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-04-22/chennai/27752460_1_fake-parking-parking-fee-marina-beach
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 11 May 2013
  | newspaper = [[The Times of India]]
  | access-date = 6 October 2011}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:06Marina Madras.jpg|thumb|The beach promenade in 1913]]
Before the 16th century, there were frequent incident of inundation of land near the coast due to rise in sea level. When the sea withdrew, several ridges and lagoons were left behind. On the southern side of [[Fort St. George, Chennai|Fort St. George]], one such sand ridge ran from the mouth of the [[Cooum River]] to the present site of the [[Presidency College, Chennai|Presidency College]]. On the rear side of the ridge was a huge depression on which the college grounds were later developed. The ridge is the site of the present-day beach.<ref name="CMDA_StructureOfChennai"/> When Fort St. George was built in 1640, the sea was too close to the fort. The building of the harbor near the fort resulted in sand accretion to the south of the fort and the harbor and the sea, which was washing the ramparts of the fort, moved afar at about 2.5&nbsp;km away from the fort creating a wide beach between the land and the sea.<ref name="CMDA_StructureOfChennai">{{cite web
 |title=Structure of Chennai 
 |work=Chapter 1 
 |publisher=CMDA 
 |url=http://www.cmdachennai.gov.in/Volume3_English_PDF/Vol3_Chapter01_Structure%20of%20Chennai.pdf 
 |access-date=24 February 2013 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826201439/http://www.cmdachennai.gov.in/Volume3_English_PDF/Vol3_Chapter01_Structure%20of%20Chennai.pdf 
 |archive-date=26 August 2013 
}}</ref>

Before the [[Chennai Port|Madras harbor]] was built, the beach was just a strip of mud, teeming with [[mudskippers]]. The beach washed up close to the present day road for a long time until the harbor was built in 1881. [[Mountstuart Elphinstone Grant Duff|Mount Stuart Elphinstone Grant Duff]], the governor of Madras from 1881 to 1886, who was captivated by the beach on an earlier visit to the city in the late 1870s,<ref name="beach_thehindu">{{cite news
  | last = Muthiah
  | first = S.
  | title = The fourth longest beach?
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 21 August 2002
  | url = http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/08/21/stories/2002082100220300.htm
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20031104144750/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/08/21/stories/2002082100220300.htm
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 4 November 2003
  | newspaper = [[The Hindu]]
  | access-date = 31 December 2011}}</ref><ref name="tercentenary">{{cite book | title=Madras Tercentenary Celebration Committee Commemoration Volume| last=Tercentenary Madras Staff| year=1939| publisher=Indian Branch, Oxford Press|pages=271–273}}</ref> conceived and built the [[promenade]] along the beach in 1884 by extensively modifying and layering with soft sand. He also gave it the name ''Madras Marina'' in the same year.<ref name="beach_thehindu"/><ref name="tercentenary"/> Since the early 19th century, a number of public buildings were constructed fronting the beach.<ref name="CMDA_StructureOfChennai"/>

Ever since the harbor was built, the area south of the port has accreted significantly, forming the present day's beach mainly due to the presence of wave breakers laid for the construction of the harbor, although the coast in the northern region has undergone severe [[erosion]].<ref name="WasteLoadAllocationNorthChennaiWaters">{{Citation
|url=http://www.icmam.gov.in/EnnoreWLA.PDF
|title=Waste Load Allocation & Waster Assimilative Capacity Studies for Ennore Creek & North Chennai Coastal Waters
|publisher=National Institute of Ocean Technology
|access-date=28 September 2011
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401221353/http://www.icmam.gov.in/EnnoreWLA.PDF
|archive-date=1 April 2012
|url-status=dead
}}</ref> Eventually, the north-drifting current widened the beach to its present extent. The beach was formed as a result of arresting the littoral drift by the port's [[breakwater (structure)|breakwater]].<ref>{{Cite web
  | last = Integrated Coastal and Marine Area Management Project Directorate, Chennai
  | title = Shoreline Management Plan for Ennore Coast (Tamilnadu)
  | work = Report
  | publisher = Government of India, Ministry of Earth Sciences
  | date = November 2006
  | url = http://www.icmam.gov.in/slmennore.pdf
  | access-date = 2 October 2011
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120401221501/http://www.icmam.gov.in/slmennore.pdf
  | archive-date = 1 April 2012
  | url-status = dead
  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news
  | last = Fernandes
  | first = Paul
  | title = Experts suggest scientific management of spits
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 16 June 2011
  | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-16/goa/29665164_1_talpona-and-galgibaga-marina-beach-sand
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130511182810/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-16/goa/29665164_1_talpona-and-galgibaga-marina-beach-sand
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 11 May 2013
  | newspaper = [[The Times of India]]
  | access-date = 4 October 2011}}</ref> The area of the beach is increasing 40&nbsp;sq&nbsp;m every year due to [[progradation]].<ref name="ObservingOurEnviron">{{Cite book |author=EARSeL |title=Observing our environment from space: new solutions for a new millennium ... |publisher=A. A. Balakema |year=2002 |isbn=90-5809-254-2}}</ref>

[[File:Chennai monument.jpg|thumb|[[Anna Memorial|C. N. Annadurai's Memorial]]]]
[[File:MGRMemorial PegasusEntrance Full.jpg |thumb|[[M.G.R. and Amma Memorial]]|alt=]]

Since the creation of the promenade in 1884, there were several additions along the stretch. The country's first aquarium was established as one of the first additions in 1909. Shortly after the [[Partition of India|Independence]], the [[Triumph of Labour]] statue and the Gandhi statue in 'march to Dandi' stride, which has been duplicated on the lawns of the [[Indian Parliament|Parliament House]], were erected on the beach. In 1968, a number of statues of icons of [[Tamil literature]] was erected to mark the first World Tamil Conference, including [[Avvaiyar (Sangam poet)|Avvaiyar]], [[Tiruvalluvar]], [[Kambar (poet)|Kambar]], [[Subramania Bharathiyar]], [[Bharathidasan]], the Dravidologist [[Robert Caldwell|Caldwell]], [[G. U. Pope]] and [[Veeramamunivar]]. Anna memorial was built in 1970 and the [[M.G.R. and Amma Memorial]] in 1988, shortening the stretch at its northern end. Later addition was a statue for Kamaraj.<ref name="beach_thehindu"/> In December 2016, the then chief minister of Tamil Nadu [[J. Jayalalithaa]] was also buried here, inside the M.G.R. Memorial campus and a foundation stone for construction of a memorial for her there has been laid.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/foundation-stone-laid-for-rs-50-cr-jayalalithaa-memorial-in-chennai/story-UnT9cs4ahUefuSDmruAKPL.html|title=Foundation laid for Rs 50-cr Jayalalithaa memorial in Chennai|date=7 May 2018|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> On 8 August 2018, former chief minister of Tamil Nadu [[M. Karunanidhi]] was buried beside his mentor [[C. N. Annadurai|Annadurai]] at the Marina Beach.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/karunanidhi-death-updates-live/article24620242.ece|title=M. Karunanidhi laid to rest beside his mentor Annadurai at the Marina|website=The Hindu Businessline}}</ref>

==Ecology==
===Environment===
[[Image:HeavyMineralsBeachSand.jpg|thumb|Magnetite and other heavy minerals (dark) in the beach's quartz sand]]
The Marina beach was famed for its pristine beauty, jolly ambiance, and rich [[ecosystem]]s.<ref name="2297 divya prabhandham"/> However, since the middle of the 20th century, the beach and water have become [[pollution|polluted]].<ref name="BeautifiedBeachThrownOpen"/> Proliferation of plastic bags, human waste, and other pollutants have rendered many parts of the beach unusable. In recent years, many voluntary organizations have taken up the task of cleaning up the Marina and protecting the ecosystem. Particular efforts include protection of [[olive ridley sea turtle|olive ridley turtle]] nests along the [[Neelankarai]] section of the beach.<ref name="Hindu_DeadTurtleWashesAshore"/><ref name="TOI_14NestsFoundAlongCoast">{{Cite news
  | last = Hemalatha
  | first = Karthikeyan
  | title = 14 Olive Ridley turtle nests found along Chennai coast
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 22 February 2013
  | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-22/flora-fauna/37241486_1_neelankarai-and-urur-kuppam-olive-ridley-nests
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130511190700/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-22/flora-fauna/37241486_1_neelankarai-and-urur-kuppam-olive-ridley-nests
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 11 May 2013
  | newspaper = [[The Times of India]]
  | access-date = 3 March 2013}}</ref>

===Flora and fauna===
Marina Beach lies on the stretch of coast where [[olive ridley sea turtle]]s, a species classified as Schedule 1 of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 (critically endangered), nest during mating season, chiefly between late October and April peaking from mid-January to mid-February.<ref name="CMFRIBul_RecoveryProgramme"/> The Ennore–Mamallapuram zone,<ref name="CMFRIBul_RecoveryProgramme"/> on which the beach lies, is one of the three major nesting grounds on the Indian coast.<ref name="NMFS_NOAA_OliveRidley">{{cite web
 | title = Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)
 | publisher = NOAA Fisheries, Office of Protected Resources
 | url = http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/turtles/oliveridley.htm
 | access-date = 3 March 2013}}</ref> However, with the expansion of the shrimp trawling fishery in the eastern coast of India in the mid-1970s, several individuals of the species are washed ashore dead every year.<ref name="Hindu_DeadTurtleWashesAshore"/><ref name="NMFS_NOAA_OliveRidley"/><ref>{{Cite news
  | last = BalasubramanianThe Rock Fountain
  | first = Shyam
  | title = The Olive Ridley turtle nesting season
  | newspaper = IBN Live
  | location = Chennai
  | publisher = IBNLive.com
  | date = 1 March 2012
  | url = http://ibnlive.in.com/news/the-olive-ridley-turtle-nesting-season/234680-60-120.html
  | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130411041656/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/the-olive-ridley-turtle-nesting-season/234680-60-120.html
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 11 April 2013
  | access-date = 3 March 2013}}</ref> The eggs laid by the females along the beach are also sold in the local market by the fishermen and traders.<ref name="CMFRIBul_RecoveryProgramme"/> In 1977, a recovery program was started by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute.<ref name="CMFRIBul_RecoveryProgramme">{{cite journal
  | last = Silas
  | first = E. G.
  |author2=M. Rajagopalan
  | title = Recovery Programme for Olive Ridley ''Lepidochelys olivacea'' (Eschscholtz, 1829) Along Madras Coast
  | journal = CMFRI Bulletin
  | volume = 35
  | pages = 9–21
  | url = http://eprints.cmfri.org.in/1065/1/Bulletin_35-2.pdf
  | access-date = 3 March 2013}}</ref> Many volunteer organizations in the city, such as the Students' Sea Turtle Conservation Network and the Sea Turtle Protection Force of the TREE Foundation, get involved in conservation of the species along the coast.<ref name="Hindu_DeadTurtleWashesAshore">{{Cite news
  | last = Preeti
  | first = Zachariah
  | title = Dead turtle washes ashore at Palavakkam
  | newspaper = The Hindu
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 29 December 2012
  | url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/dead-turtle-washes-ashore-at-palavakkam/article4249760.ece
  | access-date = 3 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news
  | last = Prathibha
  | first = Parameswaran
  | title = Chennai NGO out to save Olive Ridley turtles
  | newspaper = IBN Live
  | location = Chennai
  | publisher = IBNLive.com
  | date = 28 March 2008
  | url = http://ibnlive.in.com/news/chennai-ngo-out-to-save-olive-ridley-turtles/62149-3.html
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100331012816/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/chennai-ngo-out-to-save-olive-ridley-turtles/62149-3.html
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 31 March 2010
  | access-date = 3 March 2013}}</ref>

[[Fauna#Meiofauna|Meiofaunal]] composition at the Marina Beach chiefly includes [[turbellarians]], [[nematodes]], [[polychaetes]], [[oligochaetes]], and [[Harpacticoida|harpacticoids]].<ref name="ImpactOfTsunamiOnMeiofauna"/> Species of [[gastrotrichs]] are also found in the region.

Common fishes found along the beach include [[Mullet (fish)|mullets]], [[shark]]s, [[silver bellies]], [[Ray (fish)|rays]], [[ribbon fish]], [[skate (fish)|skate]]s, [[whitebait]], [[dussumieria]], [[Epinephelus itajara|Jew fish]], [[horse mackerel]], [[crabs]], [[seer fish|seer]], [[pellona]], [[pomfret]], [[perches]], [[Lactarius (fish)|lactarius]], [[lethrinus]], [[flying fish]], [[engraulis]], [[sardine]]s, [[lobster]]s, [[sabre fish]], [[barracuda]], [[hilsa]], [[tunny fish]], [[Indian salmon]], [[leather jackets]], [[cookup]], [[breams]], [[catfish]], [[Lutjanidae|snappers]], [[synagris]], [[bonito]], [[sole (fish)|sole]]s, [[polynemus]], and [[prawn]]s, among others.<ref>{{Citation
 | last = Muthiah 
 | first = S. 
 | title = Madras, Chennai: A 400-year Record of the First City of Modern India 
 | publisher = Palaniappa Brothers 
 | volume = 1
 | year = 2008 
 | edition = 1
 | chapter = 1 
 | page = 52
 | isbn = 978-81-8379-468-8
 }}</ref>

==Dimensions and characteristics==
The Marina is a natural [[Urban beach|urban sandy beach]] along the [[Coramandel coast]] on the [[Bay of Bengal]]. Primarily sandy, the beach spans about {{convert|13|km|abbr=on}}, running from near [[Fort St. George]] in the north to [[Besant Nagar]] in the south and is the longest natural urban beach in India.<ref>{{cite web
 | title = Top 10 Longest Beaches in the World 
 | publisher = Graphs.net 
 | url = http://graphs.net/worlds-longest-beaches.html
 | access-date = 7 August 2014}}</ref> The average width of the beach is {{convert|300|m|abbr=on}} and the width at the widest stretch is {{convert|437|m|abbr=on}}.

==Infrastructure and activities==
[[File:The artificial rock fountain at Marina Beach.jpg|left|thumb|The Rock Fountain]]
Marina beach is a major tourist attraction of the city. It is also the main place for the local people to escape from the summer heat.<ref name="PlaceToEscapeHeat"/> The beach is popular for its shops and food stalls run by about 500 shops run by about 1,212 vendors.<ref name="ActAgainstIllegalShops">{{Cite news
  | last = Xavier Lopez
  | first = Aloysius
  | title = Civic body to act against illegal shops on Marina
  | newspaper = The Hindu
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 6 July 2012
  | url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article3606998.ece
  | access-date = 6 July 2012}}</ref><ref name="INR100FineForUsingPlastic">{{Cite news
  | last = Mariappan
  | first = Julie
  | title = Now, using plastic on Marina will attract fine of Rs 100
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 10 November 2010
  | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-11-10/chennai/28240078_1_plastic-bags-marina-beach-traders
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130511195003/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-11-10/chennai/28240078_1_plastic-bags-marina-beach-traders
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 11 May 2013
  | newspaper = [[The Times of India]]
  | access-date = 8 October 2011}}</ref> The memorials and statues, [[oceanway|morning walk, joggers' track]], lovers' spot, aquarium, and the like make it a hangout for people of all ages. Kite flying and beach cricket are common sports at the beach, and there are also facilities for pony rides. Beach cricket at the Marina dates back several decades. However, Chennai City Police has banned it at different points due to its interference with traffic and beach walkers.<ref>{{Cite news
 |last=Sreedevi 
 |first=K. 
 |author2=Pradeep Damodaran 
 |title=Chennai beach cricket goes to Lord's 
 |newspaper=Deccan Chronicle 
 |location=Chennai 
 |date=14 April 2012 
 |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/chennai-beach-cricket-goes-lords-268 
 |access-date=14 April 2012 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413225436/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/chennai-beach-cricket-goes-lords-268 
 |archive-date=13 April 2012 
}}</ref> The sea is generally rough and waves are strong. There are fishermen colonies present at both ends of the beach. There are also joyrides, merry-go-rounds and mini giant wheels along the stretch, although they are installed without permission from any government agency.<ref name="Joyrides">{{Cite news
  | last = Ayyappan
  | first = V
  | title = Joyrides to come under scanner
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 22 April 2009
  | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-04-22/chennai/28005109_1_island-grounds-marina-beach-fair-grounds
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130511185724/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-04-22/chennai/28005109_1_island-grounds-marina-beach-fair-grounds
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 11 May 2013
  | newspaper = [[The Times of India]]
  | access-date = 5 October 2011}}</ref>

[[File:Marina Fishermen Chennai 1 retouched.jpg|thumb|Fishing nets on the beach]]
[[File:Marina Beach Rd, Chennai.jpg|thumb|A night view of the beach promenade]]
There are two swimming pools along the stretch—the Marina swimming pool and the Anna swimming pool. The Marina swimming pool was built in 1947 and is located on a 1.5-acre compound opposite the Presidency College. The pool is 100&nbsp;m long and 34&nbsp;m wide, bigger than the standard Olympic pool size of 50&nbsp;m × 25&nbsp;m and is {{convert|3|to|5.5|ft|m}} deep. The shallow end is 3.5&nbsp;feet deep. It is maintained by Corporation of Chennai. It underwent renovation in 1994, 2004, and 2009 (at {{INR}}7 million).<ref name="Hindu_SummerReliefByThePoolside"/><ref name="DinamalarApr2022"/> On an average, the swimming pool receives 1,500 people. During the summer months of April and May, the footfall goes up to 2,500 people.<ref name="Hindu_SummerReliefByThePoolside">{{cite news
 | last = Paitandy 
 | first = Priyadarshini 
 | title = A shelter for the sun-burnt 
 | newspaper = The Hindu
 | location = Chennai
 | date = 21 June 2017
 | url = http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/summer-relief-by-the-marina-poolside/article19114692.ece
 | access-date = 24 June 2017}}</ref> The pool can accommodate around 400 people at any given time and has 10 cloak rooms.<ref name="DinamalarApr2022">{{cite news
 | last = 
 | first = 
 | title = மெரினா நீச்சல் குளம் மீண்டும் திறப்பு 
 | newspaper = Dinamalar
 | location = Chennai
 | language = ta
 | date = 3 April 2022
 | url = https://www.dinamalar.com/news/tamil-nadu-district-news-chennai/news/2998348
 | access-date = 3 April 2022}}</ref> As of 2018, there were 30 staff in the pool and six surveillance cameras.<ref>{{cite news
 | title = Man dies in swimming pool
 | newspaper = The Hindu
 | location = Chennai
 | publisher = Kasturi & Sons
 | date = 14 March 2018
 | url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/man-dies-in-swimming-pool/article23230840.ece
 | access-date = 17 March 2018}}</ref> The Anna swimming pool is located opposite the clock tower building of the University of Madras and virtually remains hidden behind the Anna Square bus terminus. The pool is said to be the first Olympic size pool to be built in Tamil Nadu. It was constructed in 1976 with a diving board. However, the diving board was removed later during a renovation. The pool is {{convert|4|to|11|ft|m}} deep. It also has a toddler pool that is {{convert|2.5|ft|m}}. Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) conducts regular coaching camps at the pool.<ref name="PlaceForSportAndRecreation">{{cite news
 | last = Peter
 | first = Petlee
 | title = Place for sport and recreation
 | newspaper = The Hindu
 | location = Chennai
 | date = 12 May 2012
 | url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article3412179.ece
 | access-date = 17 May 2012}}</ref>

The oval-shaped skating arena at the beach has an outer railing and standing area for people to watch from.<ref name="PlaceForSportAndRecreation"/>

As part of the 'Chennai Forever' initiative by the [[Government of Tamil Nadu|Tamil Nadu government]], a {{convert|34|ft|adj=on}} tall, [[artificial waterfall]] was installed in September 2005 at a cost of {{INR}} 1.5 million.<ref name="waterfall">{{Cite news
  | last = Ghosh
  | first = Bijoy
  | title = Marina waterfall
  | newspaper = The Hindu Business Line
  | location = Chennai
  | publisher = The Hindu
  | date = 17 September 2005
  | url = http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/2005/09/17/stories/2005091702251900.htm
  | access-date = 2 October 2011}}</ref> A visitor center near the [[Cooum River]] mouth on the Marina, similar to the [[Marina Barrage]] Visitor Centre in Singapore and [[San Antonio]] Visitor Center in the United States, has been planned as part of an initiative to create awareness of the need for clean waterways.<ref>{{Cite news
  | last = Lopez
  | first = Aloysius Xavier
  | title = Visitor centre proposed near Cooum river mouth
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 20 February 2011
  | url = http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/20/stories/2011022063310300.htm
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110223104837/http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/20/stories/2011022063310300.htm
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 23 February 2011
  | newspaper = [[The Hindu]]
  | access-date = 2 October 2011}}</ref>

In 2008, two floating fountains with spray height of 100 feet with color lights for night view were planned to be installed in sea waters off the beach.<ref name="FloatingFountains">{{Cite news
  | title = Chennai Marina Beach to get Floating Fountains
  | newspaper = Marine Buzz
  | publisher = MarineBuzz.com
  | date = 27 January 2008
  | url = http://www.marinebuzz.com/2008/01/27/chennai-marina-beach-to-get-floating-fountains/
  | access-date = 4 October 2011}}</ref>
In 2010, the Chennai Corporation procured new cleaning equipment to clean the beach at a cost of {{INR}} 8.011 million. These included a sand-cleaning machine capable of cleaning 15,000&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup> area in an hour procured at a cost of {{INR}} 3.267 million, three skid steer loaders to clean narrow lanes commissioned at a cost of {{INR}} 2.652 million, imported lawn mower, ride-on mechanical sweeper, tree pruner and hedge trimmer. An automatic ticket-vending machine at a cost of {{INR}} 170,000 was also commissioned at the Marina swimming pool for managing the crowd. The corporation also planned to construct two more public conveniences at the beach.<ref>{{Cite news
  | title = New equipment bought to clean up Marina beach
  | newspaper = The Hindu
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 31 March 2010
  | url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article329613.ece
  | access-date = 3 October 2011}}</ref> About 150 corporation staff, including a junior engineer, maintains the lawns and service lanes on the beach.<ref name="INR100FineForUsingPlastic"/>

As of 2013, the 3.1-km stretch of the beach from the Triumph of Labor statue to the lighthouse has 31 high-mast lamps.<ref>{{Cite news
  | title = Musical fountain to make waves at Marina
  | newspaper = The Hindu
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 23 June 2013
  | url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/musical-fountain-to-make-waves-at-marina/article4841380.ece
  | access-date = 30 June 2013}}</ref>

According to police statistics, about 5,000 people use the 2-km-long Loop Road daily for their morning walk.<ref>{{Cite news
  | last = Sivaraman 
  | first = R. 
  | title = Vehicle-free stretch along Marina for morning walkers 
  | newspaper = The Hindu
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 3 July 2018
  | url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/vehicle-free-stretch-along-marina-for-morning-walkers/article24315657.ece
  | access-date = 15 July 2018}}</ref>

As of 2017, there were 1,544 vendors on the beach, which increased to 1,962 by 2019. In 2019, the Corporation decided to restrict the licensed vendors to 900.<ref name="TH_PlanForWaterSports"/> There are toilets at six locations across the stretch and about 175 sanitary workers deployed at the beach on shift basis.<ref name="TH_PlanForWaterSports"/>

The beach had facility to park 2,271 two-wheelers, 457 cars, and 80 vans and buses.<ref name="TH_PlanForWaterSports"/>

==Structures along the beach==
[[File:Marina-Beach-Light-House-Chennai.jpg|thumb|Chennai lighthouse as seen from Marina Beach]]
[[File:Public Works Department Office, Chennai 101.JPG|thumb|PWD Complex]]
Being the city's primary area for recreation, the entire stretch features numerous statues and monuments that have come up over the years along the beach promenade, called Kamaraj Salai. While the beach stretches along the eastern side of the road, the western side is dotted with various governmental institutions and historic and stately buildings from the [[British rule in India|British rule]] all along its length. [[Victory War Memorial]], a memorial for the warriors who lost their lives in the [[World Wars]], marks the northern end of the beach. Memorials for [[C. N. Annadurai]], [[M. G. Ramachandran]], [[J. Jayalalithaa]] and [[M. Karunanidhi]], former [[chief minister]]s of [[Tamil Nadu]], are present on the northern end of the promenade known as the ''Anna Square''. As of May 2018, a Lilliputian Children's Traffic Park was under construction near the Anna Memorial adjacent to the Anna Swimming Pool at a cost of {{INR}} 20.7 million. The traffic park measures 4,140 square meters, with facilities such as a viewing gallery, walking track, children's play area, traffic sign boards, and a riding track.<ref>{{cite news
 | last = Srikanth 
 | first = R. 
 | title = Children's traffic park coming up in Anna Square
 | newspaper = The Hindu
 | location = Chennai
 | publisher = Kasturi & Sons
 | date = 3 May 2018
 | url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/childrens-traffic-park-coming-up-in-anna-square/article23753825.ece
 | access-date = 4 May 2018}}</ref>

All along the length of the promenade, stone statues adorn the roadside area of the beach starting from the Triumph of Labour statue, the first statue erected in the beach, near the memorials at the Anna Square to Mahatma Gandhi statue near the [[Lighthouse, Chennai|lighthouse]]. Most statues are of national or local legends while others have symbolic significance like the Triumph of Labour statue. The statues along the promenade are (from north to south):<ref name="AStroll_LearningExperience">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-downtown/article2581222.ece|title=A stroll could be a learning experience too|last=Srikanth|first=R.|date=30 October 2011|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=1 February 2012|location=Chennai}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
  | title = Statues
  | publisher = Madura Welcome
  | url = http://www.madurawelcome.com/chennai/statues.htm
  | access-date = 1 February 2012}}</ref>
* [[Robert Caldwell]] (erected on 2 January 1968)
* [[Kambar (poet)|Kambar]] (erected on 2 January 1968)
* [[Ilango Adigal]] (erected on 7 November 1971)
* [[Triumph of Labour|Triumph of Labor]] (erected on 25 January 1959)
* [[Subramaniya Barathiyar|Bharathiyar]] (erected on 2 January 1968)
* [[Kannagi statue]] (erected on 2 January 1968/re-erected on 3 June 2006)
* [[Subhas Chandra Bose]] (erected on 15 December 1997)
* [[Thiruvalluvar]] (erected on 2 January 1968)
* [[George Uglow Pope]] (erected on 2 January 1968)
* [[Annie Besant]]
* [[Bharathidasan]] (erected on 2 January 1968)
* [[Swami Vivekananda]] (erected on 12 July 1964)
* [[Avvaiyar (Sangam poet)|Avvaiyar]] (erected on 2 January 1968)
* [[Mahatma Gandhi]] (erected on 14 April 1959)
* [[Constanzo Beschi|Veerama Munivar]] (erected on 2 January 1968)
* [[Kamaraj]]
* 
{{gallery
|width=125 |title=|height=125
|Image:MarinaBeach_AnnieBesant.jpg|Annie Besant statue
|Image:MarinaBeach_Avvaiyaar.jpg|Avvaiyaar statue
|Image:MarinaBeach_Barathidasan.jpg|Barathidasan statue
|Image:MarinaBeach_Barathiyaar.jpg|Bharathiyar statue
|Image:MarinaBeach_FishermenStatue.jpg|Fishermen at the Buckingham Canal statue
|Image:MarinaBeach_GUPope.jpg|George Uglow Pope statue
|Image:MarinaBeach_Ilangovadigal.jpg|Ilangovadigal statue
|Image:MarinaBeach_Kambar.jpg|Kambar statue
|Image:MarinaBeach_Kannagi.jpg|Kannagi statue
|Image:MarinaBeach_MahatmaGandhi.jpg|Mahatma Gandhi statue
|Image:MarinaBeach_NSCBose.jpg|Subhas Chandra Bose statue
|Image:MarinaBeach_RobertCaldwell.jpg|Robert Caldwell statue
|Image:MarinaBeach_Vivekanandar.jpg|Vivekanandar statue
|Image:Triumph of Labour at Marina Beach.jpg|Triumph of Labour statue
|Image:MarinaBeach Thiruvalluvar.jpg|Thiruvalluvar statue
|Image:MarinaBeach ThilagarThidal.jpg|Thilagar Thidal plaque
|Image:Statue of Kamarajar.jpg|Kamaraj statue
|Image:Golden Jubilee of Independence memorial pillar, Marina, Chennai.jpg|Golden Jubilee of Independence memorial pillar}}

Earlier present near Gandhi statue traffic island was a statue for [[Sivaji Ganesan]], which was erected on 21 July 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news/june-06-04/30-06-06-karunanithi.html|title=Tamil movies : CM inspects the Sivaji statue! To be unveiled on July 21st!!|date=30 June 2006|publisher=Behindwoods.com|access-date=7 May 2011}}</ref> Following a court order, it was shifted on 3 August 2017<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/sivaji-ganesan-statute-removed-from-marina/articleshow/59893142.cms|title=Sivaji Ganesan statue was removed from Marina Beach area|website=Times of India}}</ref> to a newly built [[Sivaji Ganesan Memorial|memorial]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/sivaji-statue-removed-from-kamarajar-salai/article19422152.ece|title=Sivaji statue removed from Kamaraj Salai|website=The Hindu}}</ref> at [[Adyar, Chennai|Adyar]].

[[File:Marina Swimming Pool.jpg|thumb|Marina Swimming Pool]]
The other side of the road houses several historical buildings and institutions including the [[M. A. Chidambaram Stadium|Chepauk Cricket Stadium]], the [[University of Madras]], the [[Presidency College, Chennai|Presidency College]], [[Vivekananda House]], [[Queen Mary's College, Chennai|Queen Mary's College]], [[Police headquarters building, Chennai|Inspector General of Police Headquarters]], [[All India Radio]]—Chennai, [[Dr. Annie Besant Park, Chennai|Dr. Annie Besant Park]].

==Renovation==
[[File:MarinaBeach PromenadeTowardsLighthouse.jpg|thumb|Promenade leading to the lighthouse]]
[[File:MarinaBeach Decorative Installations.jpg|thumb|One of the several decorative installations at the beach]]
[[File:MarinaBeach PromenadeWithGallaries.jpg|thumb|The beach has 14 landscaped galleries]]
In February 2008, the [[Chennai Corporation]], previously known as ''The Madras Corporation'', took up the Marina Renovation Project with improved landscaping, seating arrangements, walkways, and lighting along the promenade, and architectural elements such as plazas, gazeboes, and pergolas were installed all along the stretch including 4&nbsp;m-wide non-slippery granite footpaths near the service lane, another 5&nbsp;m-wide footpath, and 15&nbsp;m-wide lawns. The blueprint of the renovation project included ornamental fountains, exclusive parking lots for two- and four-wheelers, a children's play area, bus shelters, ramps for physically challenged, and food courts.<ref name="90PercentBeautificationOver">{{Cite news
  | last = TNN 
  | title = Mayor says 90% work on Marina beautification over
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 25 August 2009
  | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-08-25/chennai/28210609_1_footpaths-marina-beach-project
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130511193530/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-08-25/chennai/28210609_1_footpaths-marina-beach-project
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 11 May 2013
  | newspaper = [[The Times of India]]
  | access-date = 6 October 2011}}</ref> The whole length of the stretch from Triumph of Labor Statue to the [[Lighthouse, Chennai|Lighthouse]] measuring 3.1&nbsp;km has been divided into 14 harmonious landscaped galleries dotting its span, each with an element of drama attached to the design in the form of small theatre-type galleries where visitors can sit.

All the 14 sections vary significantly from one another and were designed in such a way as to the differentiation of sections not leading to any break in the walkway, which is a continuous walking stretch from the Triumph of Labor Statue to the Kamaraj Statue.<ref name="MarinaGetsAMakeover">{{Cite news
  | last = Frederick
  | first = Prince
  | title = Marina gets a makeover
  | newspaper = The Hindu
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 1 November 2009
  | url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article41762.ece
  | access-date = 4 October 2011}}</ref> One of these galleries is flanked by two semi-circular stainless-steel pergolas resting on wire-cut brick columns. The galleries can accommodate over 1,000 people. The choice of natural stones and pillars used in each section of the promenade was based on the type of the buildings on the other side of the road. The walkway was designed as low-lying as is necessary to have a clear view of the beach from the road. A total of 428 octagonal poles with seagull-shaped light fittings and additional high-mast lamps have been erected.

Ten modern stainless steel bus shelters have been erected near the beach.<ref name="BeachToBecomeTouristFriendly"/> There is a [[Roller rink|skating rink]] behind the Gandhi Statue which has been improved with hand rails and tiles on the periphery under the project. A total of 14 galleries with seating arrangements and a 4-m internal walkway along the sands and fountains have been created on the {{convert|3.1|km|adj=on}} stretch from the Anna Square to the Lighthouse.<ref name="BeautifiedBeachThrownOpen">{{Cite news
  | title = Beautified Marina beach thrown open to public by CM
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 20 December 2009
  | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-12-20/chennai/28084565_1_beautification-project-fountains-beach
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130511212042/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-12-20/chennai/28084565_1_beautification-project-fountains-beach
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 11 May 2013
  | newspaper = [[The Times of India]]
  | access-date = 29 September 2011}}</ref> This stretch has uninterrupted pavement and a sub-road parallel to the main road. Five reverse osmosis plants capable of providing 30,000 liters of drinking water an hour free of cost to visitors is under construction.<ref name="BeachToBecomeTouristFriendly">{{Cite news
  | title = Marina beach to become more tourist-friendly
  | newspaper = The Hindu
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 20 December 2009
  | url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article67701.ece
  | access-date = 2 October 2011}}</ref> As part of the beautification project, the decade-old 250-watt lamps were replaced with 690 anti-corrosive lamps along Kamaraj Salai and the service road.<ref name="90PercentBeautificationOver"/> The renovation was completed in December 2009 at a cost of {{INR}} 259.2 million. Although initially the corporation planned to outsource security personnel to protect the renovated structures,<ref>{{Cite news
  | last = Mariappan
  | first = Julie
  | title = Corporation plans 24-hour private security at beautified Marina
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 22 October 2009
  | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-10-22/chennai/28070986_1_security-personnel-footpaths-tight-security
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130511205625/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-10-22/chennai/28070986_1_security-personnel-footpaths-tight-security
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 11 May 2013
  | newspaper = [[The Times of India]]
  | access-date = 9 October 2011}}</ref> the plan was dropped and about 50 corporation staff were employed to man the stretch.<ref>{{Cite news
  | last = TNN 
  | title = CM to formally open beautified Marina on 20 Dec
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 13 December 2009
  | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-12-13/chennai/28076762_1_marina-outsource-security-personnel-beautified
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130511190423/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-12-13/chennai/28076762_1_marina-outsource-security-personnel-beautified
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 11 May 2013
  | newspaper = [[The Times of India]]
  | access-date = 9 October 2011}}</ref>

In 2009, a 4.5-km-long stretch along the beach was announced plastic-free zone, prohibiting the sale and use of plastic.<ref name="90PercentBeautificationOver"/><ref>{{Cite news
  | last = PTI 
  | title = Marina beach to be plastic-free from August 15
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 30 June 2009
  | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-06-30/chennai/28207293_1_plastic-free-marina-beach-blanket-ban
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130511185101/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-06-30/chennai/28207293_1_plastic-free-marina-beach-blanket-ban
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 11 May 2013
  | newspaper = [[The Times of India]]
  | access-date = 4 October 2011}}</ref> In November 2010, the corporation imposed a fine of {{INR}} 100 on the usage of plastic items that are less than 20&nbsp;[[μm]] thick on the entire stretch. Within a couple of years since the ban, the use of plastics on the beach was reduced by 70 percent.<ref name="INR100FineForUsingPlastic"/>

In 2012, the government allotted {{INR}} 89 million for the renovation of the memorials of Anna and M.G.R. This include {{INR}} 12 million and {{INR}} 43 million towards renovation of Anna Memorial and M.G.R. and Amma Memorial, respectively, {{INR}} 34 million towards additional construction at the M.G.R. and Amma Memorial.<ref>{{cite news
  | title = Anna, MGR memorials to be renovated at Rs 8.90 crore
  | newspaper = The Economic Times
  | location = Chennai
  | publisher = The Times Group
  | date = 29 January 2012
  | url = http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-01-29/news/30676018_1_memorials-renovation-work-aiadmk
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130511181236/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-01-29/news/30676018_1_memorials-renovation-work-aiadmk
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 11 May 2013
  | access-date = 31 January 2012}}</ref>

In 2012, the corporation allotted {{INR}} 48.4 million for installing two high-mast lamps, a police watchtower, and a giant chess board and an interactive fountain in the children's play area. This also includes relocation of the shops to specific locations on the sand at a cost of {{INR}} 41.2 million.<ref>{{cite news
  | title = Giant chess board for children planned at Marina
  | newspaper = The Hindu
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 26 July 2012
  | url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article3683554.ece
  | access-date = 28 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
  | title = Chennai: Corporation to call for tenders to beautify Marina Beach
  | newspaper = IBN Live South
  | location = Chennai
  | publisher = IBN Live
  | date = 26 July 2012
  | url = http://ibnlive.in.com/news/chennai-call-for-tenders-to-beautify-marina/274942-62-130.html
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120729085459/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/chennai-call-for-tenders-to-beautify-marina/274942-62-130.html
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 29 July 2012
  | access-date = 28 July 2012}}</ref>

In 2017, plans to revamp the beach under the Swadesh Darshan scheme of the Indian government at a cost of {{INR}} 500 million have been drawn.<ref>{{Cite news
  | last = Xavier Lopez
  | first = Aloysius
  | title = Soon, a light and sound show on the Marina
  | newspaper = The Hindu
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 9 May 2017
  | url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/soon-a-light-and-sound-show-on-the-marina/article18413140.ece
  | access-date = 11 May 2017}}</ref>

{{Panorama
|image   = File:Chennai Marina beach panorama1.jpg
|height  = 230
|alt     = Panoramic view stretch of the sandy Marina beach.
|caption = Panoramic view stretch of the sandy Marina beach
}}

==Safety measures and policing==
The Marina continues to remain the most dangerous place to bathe or swim, recording the highest number of drownings in the state of [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref>{{Cite news
  | last = Narayanan 
  | first = Vivek 
  | title = Marina beach sees most drownings in the State 
  | newspaper = The Hindu
  | location = Chennai
  | pages = 3
  | date = 20 June 2018
  | url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/marina-beach-sees-most-drownings-in-the-state/article24205032.ece
  | access-date = 28 July 2018}}</ref> Bathing and swimming are illegal at Marina beach since the [[Subsurface current|undercurrent]] in the region is very strong,<ref>{{Cite web
  | title = Marina Beach, Chennai
  | work = Chennaiepages.com
  | publisher = Chennai epages
  | date = nd
  | url = http://www.chennaiepages.com/Marina_Beach_Chennai.php
  | access-date = 2 October 2011}}</ref> and there are no lifeguards stationed here. As many people throng the beach, quite often there are drowning mishaps. An estimated five sea-bathers are drowned every month at the beach, and most of the swimmers are dragged by the tides into the debris of a tramp ship ''SS Damatis'' that sank off the beach during a cyclone in 1966.<ref name="SSDamatisSankNearMarina"/> Police personnel and lifeguards constantly patrol the whole area, which is divided into seventy-two sections,<ref name="PlaceToEscapeHeat"/><!-- FIGURE APPEARS AMBIGUOUS IN THE SOURCE. NEED TO BE VERIFIED --> by means of horses and [[all-terrain vehicles]] (known as ''beach buggies'').<ref>{{Cite news
  | last = Selvaraj
  | first = A.
  | title = 10 all-terrain vehicles on city beaches before Kaanum Pongal
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 5 January 2011
  | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-05/chennai/28363237_1_atv-elliots-beach-police-outpost
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121104092800/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-05/chennai/28363237_1_atv-elliots-beach-police-outpost
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 4 November 2012
  | newspaper = [[The Times of India]]
  | access-date = 2 October 2011}}</ref> Five spots off the beach, including near the Anna Square, Kannagi Statue, Triumph of Labor Statue and behind Vivekananda House, have been identified by the police as extremely unsafe due to the presence of [[whirlpools]] and rock projections in the [[seabed]]. In 2010, 75 people drowned in the sea along the 5-km stretch of the beach.<ref name="UnsafeZonesForSwimming">{{Cite news
  | last = Ponnusamy
  | first = Mahalingam
  | title = Two drown off Marina, Neelankarai beaches
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 20 September 2011
  | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-20/chennai/30179365_1_beach-buggies-labour-statue-anna-square
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120418143132/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-20/chennai/30179365_1_beach-buggies-labour-statue-anna-square
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 18 April 2012
  | newspaper = [[The Times of India]]
  | access-date = 4 October 2011}}</ref> Of this, the 1-km stretch from Anna Square to the Anna swimming pool is considered the most dangerous with as many as 29 persons drowning in the sea in 2010. The deep sea in this stretch is considered to still hold parts of the smacked ship.<ref>{{Cite news
  | last = TNN 
  | title = 1-km stretch off Marina claimed 29 lives in 2010
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 10 February 2011
  | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-02-10/chennai/28542649_1_marina-beach-police-booth-police-commissioner
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130511191108/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-02-10/chennai/28542649_1_marina-beach-police-booth-police-commissioner
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 11 May 2013
  | newspaper = [[The Times of India]]
  | access-date = 8 October 2011}}</ref> In 2011, in addition to the tie-up with Coast Guard security personnel, the city police planned for a tie-up with the fire and rescue services department to provide a stand-by rescue team at the beach to save people from drowning. The rescue team, equipped with a rubber boat and a motor-fitted boat, was planned to be stationed at the Anna Square police station or the Marina police station.<ref name="MarinaBeachFireDeptPatrol">{{Cite news
  | last = Selvaraj
  | first = A
  | title = Police seek help from fire dept for Marina beach patrol
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 18 July 2011
  | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-18/chennai/29786821_1_marina-beach-police-station-anna-square
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130511193403/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-18/chennai/29786821_1_marina-beach-police-station-anna-square
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 11 May 2013
  | newspaper = [[The Times of India]]
  | access-date = 4 October 2011}}</ref>

[[File:Chennai catamaran.jpg|thumb|left|A [[catamaran]] on the beach]]
The law-enforcing agencies is planning to bring the beach under close watch by means of two watchtowers and at least a dozen surveillance cameras. The Chennai Corporation has agreed in principle to create the security infrastructure based on a proposal sent by the [[Greater Chennai Police]]. The watchtowers are proposed to be erected behind the Triumph of Labour statue and the Gandhi statue.<ref>{{Cite news
  | last = Kumar
  | first = S. Vijay
  | title = Surveillance cameras, watchtowers to mount vigil on Marina beach
  | newspaper = The Hindu
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 21 May 2011
  | url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article2035902.ece
  | access-date = 2 October 2011}}</ref> In August 2012, the government sanctioned six more all-terrain vehicles for patrolling the beach.<ref>{{Cite news
  | title = Jaya sanctions 9 all-terrain vehicles for policing beaches
  | newspaper = Business Line
  | location = Chennai
  | publisher = The Hindu
  | date = 2 August 2012
  | url = http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/states/article3716395.ece
  | access-date = 2 August 2012}}</ref>

In December 2012, in a measure to regulate parking and to control the entry of vehicles into the beach, the [[Chennai Corporation]] decided to install drop gates at seven entry points on the beach's service lane, including near the PWD Building, Subash Chandra Bose statue, Dr. Annie Besant statue, Vivekanandar Illam, Avvaiyar statue, Veeramamunivar statue and the lighthouse.<ref>{{Cite news
  | title = Drop gates to come up along Marina Beach service lane
  | newspaper = The Hindu
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 14 December 2012
  | url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/drop-gates-to-come-up-along-marina-beach-service-lane/article4196797.ece
  | access-date = 15 December 2012}}</ref>

Despite intensive patrolling, illegal bike races and night races are also held along the stretch, resulting in public nuisances and, at times, death of the racers.<ref>{{Cite news
  | last = Selvaraj
  | first = A
  | title = Focus back on night racing
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 1 September 2009
  | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-01/chennai/28100104_1_marina-beach-besant-nagar-inspector
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130511200140/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-01/chennai/28100104_1_marina-beach-besant-nagar-inspector
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 11 May 2013
  | newspaper = [[The Times of India]]
  | access-date = 9 October 2011}}</ref>

==Controversies==
[[File:Santhome beach by LMB.jpg|thumb|Crowd at the beach in the evening]]
With a length of 13&nbsp;km, including a 6&nbsp;km promenade, the Marina is considered the world's second longest urban beach,<ref name="ObservingOurEnviron"/><ref name="OT_ScorchingHot">{{cite web | url = https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/explore/story/70874/things-to-do-in-chennai | title = Scorching hot during summer and unbelievably crowded, the modern city of Chennai dipped in traditions from its Madras days never fails to surprise a traveller | last = Mohan | first = Vishnu | date = 5 October 2020 | website = | publisher = Outlook Traveller | access-date = 31 December 2021 | quote = }}</ref> although there exist in fact several longer beaches, including [[Praia do Cassino]] (254&nbsp;km) in [[Brazil]], [[Cox's Bazar]] (120&nbsp;km) in [[Bangladesh]], [[Padre Island]] on the U.S. Gulf Coast, [[Ninety Mile Beach, Victoria|Ninety Mile Beach]] in Australia and [[Ninety Mile Beach, New Zealand|Ninety Mile Beach]] (88&nbsp;km) in [[New Zealand]]. However, unlike most beaches, Marina is a natural sandy urban beach<ref name="OT_LongestBeach">{{cite journal |last=Doctor |first=Geetha |date=November 2008 |title=Favourite Things: Marina Beach |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gTEEAAAAMBAJ&q=Marina+beach&pg=PT28 |journal=Outlook Traveller |publisher=Outlook Publishing |volume=8 |issue=11 |pages=58–60 |access-date=23 October 2011}}</ref><ref name="PhilStar_ASliceOfChennaiLife">{{Cite news |last=Pamintuan |first=Ana Marie |date=7 October 2012 |title=A slice of Chennai life |url=http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=856692&publicationSubCategoryId=87 |access-date=7 October 2012 |newspaper=PhilStar.com |location=Manila}}</ref> similar to the [[Copacabana beach]] in [[Rio de Janeiro]], helping it earn the title.

In December 2001, the Kannagi statue, which was erected in 1968 on the occasion of a World Tamil Conference held in Chennai, was removed for traffic maintenance reason<ref>{{Cite news
  | title = Presidency College ground ideal for Kannagi statue: panel
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 16 June 2002
  | url = http://hindu.com/2002/06/16/stories/2002061603490400.htm
  | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130125102424/http://hindu.com/2002/06/16/stories/2002061603490400.htm
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 25 January 2013
  | newspaper = [[The Hindu]]
  | access-date = 9 October 2011}}</ref> as part of modernization of the beach, which led to a huge protest and demonstration by the opposition [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (DMK) party. When the DMK later came to power, the statue was installed in the same place on 3 June 2006 by the DMK party chief [[M. Karunanidhi]].<ref>{{Cite web
 |title=Kannagi Statue in Marina 
 |publisher=Marinabeach.info 
 |url=http://www.marinabeach.info/articles/kannagi.html 
 |access-date=9 October 2011 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425052847/http://www.marinabeach.info/articles/kannagi.html 
 |archive-date=25 April 2012 
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news
  | last = Menon
  | first = Jaya
  | title = On Marina beach, Karunanidhi keeps date with Kannagi
  | newspaper = Indian Express
  | publisher = indianexpress.com
  | date = 16 May 2006
  | url = http://www.indianexpress.com/news/on-marina-beach-karunanidhi-keeps-date-with-kannagi/4509/0
  | access-date = 9 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news
  | last = Tiwari
  | first = Binita
  | title = Kannagi's statue adorned Marina Beach
  | newspaper = Newstrack India
  | date = 23 August 2007
  | url = http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/735
  | access-date = 9 October 2011}}</ref>

On 9 August 2003, an open-air stage located 350&nbsp;ft from the sea<ref>{{Cite news
  | title = Jayalalithaa's Government justifies demolition of Seerani Arangam
  | newspaper = Asian Tribune
  | date = 11 August 2003
  | url = http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2003/08/11/jayalalithaas-government-justifies-demolition-seerani-arangam
  | access-date = 9 October 2011}}</ref> on the sands of the Marina called ''Seerani Arangam'', constructed in 1970,<ref>{{Cite news
  | last = Kannan
  | first = Ramya
  | title = The fall of Seerani Arangam
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 11 August 2003
  | url = http://www.hindu.com/lf/2003/08/11/stories/2003081107240200.htm
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140305095844/http://www.hindu.com/lf/2003/08/11/stories/2003081107240200.htm
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 5 March 2014
  | newspaper = [[The Hindu]]
  | access-date = 9 October 2011}}</ref> which was used by religious groups and political parties to address gatherings, was demolished by the state government (ADMK) in order to modernise the beach. This spot was a place where rallies were held for the freedom movement during the British Raj, and the stage was considered a symbol of the historical events that had taken place in the Marina.<ref>{{Cite news
  | last = Das
  | first = Swati
  | title = The Marina 'Seerani Arangam' is no more
  | newspaper = The Times of India
  | location = Chennai
  | publisher = The Times Group
  | date = 10 August 2003
  | url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/The-Marina-Seerani-Arangam-is-no-more/articleshow/123635.cms
  | access-date = 9 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news
  | last = Manikandan
  | first = K.
  | title = Seerani Arangam demolished
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 10 August 2003
  | url = http://www.hindu.com/2003/08/10/stories/2003081009150300.htm
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090411063408/http://www.hindu.com/2003/08/10/stories/2003081009150300.htm
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 11 April 2009
  | newspaper = [[The Hindu]]
  | access-date = 9 October 2011}}</ref> This created a great controversy.

==Incidents==
In 1966, a [[tramp ship]] ''SS Damatis'' sank near the Marina due to a cyclone in the region.<ref name="SSDamatisSankNearMarina">{{Cite news
  | last = IANS 
  | title = Two missing off Chennai beach
  | newspaper = Thaindian
  | publisher = Thaindian News
  | date = 18 July 2008
  | url = http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/two-missing-off-chennai-beach_10073271.html
  | access-date = 2 October 2011}}</ref>

[[File:Chennai beach2.jpg|thumb|The Marina Beach after the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami|tsunami]]]]
The beachfront was severely damaged by the [[2004 Indian Ocean tsunami]]. The [[tsunami]] waves, caused due to an ''M'' 9.2 magnitude earthquake at about 257&nbsp;km south-southeast of [[Banda Aceh]], [[Sumatra]], Indonesia, on the Indian Ocean floor on 26 December 2004 at 6.20&nbsp;am IST, struck the beach, which is about 2028&nbsp;km North West from the [[epicentre]], at 8.40&nbsp;am IST. The reported height of the tsunami waves at the beach was 6&nbsp;m<ref>{{cite web
  | last = Yadava
  | first = Y. S.
  | title = The Impact of Tsunami on the Livelihoods of Coastal Fisher communities in Tamil Nadu, India – A Preliminary Damage and Needs Assessment
  | url = http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/7C028BE51D24F2CC49256F82002660D2-bobp-sasia-07jan.pdf
  | access-date = 26 October 2011}}</ref> which washed away about 206 persons on the beach,<ref>{{cite web
  | title = TSUNAMI: Chennai District
  | publisher = Asha for Education, New York
  | url = http://www.ashanet.org/projects/project-view.php?p=665
  | access-date = 26 October 2011}}</ref><ref name="BeachClosedFollowingTsunami">{{Cite news
  | last = Chandramouli
  | first = Rajesh
  | title = Marina beach still closed to public
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 29 December 2004
  | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-12-29/india/27148795_1_marina-beach-second-longest-beach-imd
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130511194226/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-12-29/india/27148795_1_marina-beach-second-longest-beach-imd
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 11 May 2013
  | newspaper = [[The Times of India]]
  | access-date = 4 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
  | title = Asia's Deadly Waves
  | newspaper = The New York Times
  | url = https://www.nytimes.com/packages/khtml/2004/12/26/international/20041227_QUAKE_FEATURE.html
  | access-date = 26 October 2011}}</ref> most of whom were morning joggers and children playing cricket on the beach, including a few tourists.<ref>{{cite news
  | last = Thomas
  | first = Evan
  | title = Tide of Grief
  | newspaper = Newsweek Magazine
  | publisher = The Daily Beast
  | date = 9 January 2005
  | url = http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2005/01/09/tide-of-grief.html
  | access-date = 26 October 2011}}</ref> With the assistance of the [[World Bank]], the government built 2,000 temporary Marina beach shelters each measuring about 250&nbsp;sq.ft. to house families affected by the tsunami at a cost of {{INR}} 172.3 million.<ref>{{Cite news
  | last = Narayanan
  | first = Vivek
  | title = 11,000 remain homeless even as shelters rot
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 6 March 2011
  | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-06/chennai/28659663_1_shelters-marina-beach-tsunami
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111105210723/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-06/chennai/28659663_1_shelters-marina-beach-tsunami
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 5 November 2011
  | newspaper = [[The Times of India]]
  | access-date = 5 October 2011}}</ref> However, in 2012, new houses for residents of tenements on the Marina Beach was planned to be taken up under a Disaster Preparedness Project of the state government.<ref>{{cite news
  | last = Xavier Lopez
  | first = Aloysius
  | title = Tenements to take shape under new scheme
  | newspaper = The Hindu
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 29 January 2012
  | url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article2840588.ece
  | access-date = 31 January 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Chennai beach1.jpg|thumb|Rescue operations at the beach after the tsunami]]
As a visible change in the beach immediately after the tsunami, the intertidal area was much flatter on 27 December 2004, which usually featured a gentle slope. However, the usual slope started to appear 4 days after the tsunami and normal profile was restored in about 15 days. The receding wave after the tsunami lasted for more than 24&nbsp;h. Post tsunami, there was a distinct variation in the distribution of sand grains in the beach until the 4th day. However, from the 5th day after the tsunami, normal composition of sand grains appeared to have been restored at different depths.<ref name="ImpactOfTsunamiOnMeiofauna">{{Citation
  | last = Altaff
  | title = Impact of tsunami on meiofauna of Marina beach, Chennai, India
  | journal = Current Science
  | volume = 89 | issue = 1 
  | pages = 34–38
  | date = 10 July 2005
  | display-authors =etal 
  | url=http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/jul102005/34.pdf}}</ref> The tsunami also resulted in various geomorphological changes in the region such as those in the [[Contour line|contour]] of the 2,000&nbsp;km-long [[Burma Plate]], which sits atop the [[Indo-Australian Plate|India plate]], resulting in a rise in the land level of Chennai, ranging between 0.5&nbsp;cm and 3&nbsp;cm.<ref name="RiseInTidalVariations">{{Cite news
  | last = Ravi
  | first = Bhama Devi
  | title = Rise in tidal variations along city coastline
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 9 September 2009
  | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-09/chennai/28088040_1_tides-marina-beach-plate
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130511204443/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-09/chennai/28088040_1_tides-marina-beach-plate
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 11 May 2013
  | newspaper = [[The Times of India]]
  | access-date = 9 October 2011}}</ref>

Following the tsunami, there was a distinct increase in the [[Fauna#Meiofauna|meiofaunal]] density in the beach. Various meiofauna found in the beach after tsunami include [[foraminiferans]] (''Elphidium'' sp.), [[cnidarians]] (''Halammohydra'' sp., ''Psammohydra'' sp.), [[turbellarians]] (''Otoplana'' sp., ''Macrostomum'' sp.), [[nemertines]], [[nematodes]] (''Halalaimus setosus'', ''Desmodora'' sp., ''Chromadora'' sp., ''[[Sabatieria furcillata|Sabatieria]]'' sp., ''Steineria'' sp., ''Metapselionema'' sp.), [[gastrotrichs]] (''Chaetonotus'' sp., ''Thaumastoderma'' sp.), [[rotifers]], [[kinorhynchs]] (''Cateria'' sp.), [[polychaetes]] (''Hesionides'' sp.), [[Haplodrili|archiannelids]] (''Polygordius madrasensis'', ''Saccocirrus minor''), [[oligochaetes]] (''Marionina'' sp.), [[Harpacticoida|harpacticiod]] [[copepods]] (''Arenosetella indica'', ''Psammastacus acuticaudatus'', ''Leptastacus euryhalinus'', ''Emertonia minuta'', ''Sewellina reductus''), [[ostracods]] (''Polycope'' sp.), [[isopods]] (''Angeliera phreaticola''), halacarids (''Halacarus'' sp.), insects, and various other species.<ref name="ImpactOfTsunamiOnMeiofauna"/>
[[File:MarinaProtests1.jpg|thumb|Jallikattu protest at Marina Beach]]
Marina Beach was also the venue of the [[2017 pro-jallikattu protests|2017 pro-Jallikattu protests]]. The mass gathering of more than a million people in protest of the ban on the traditional bull-fighting sport [[Jallikattu]] at the Marina beach in Chennai for 10 consecutive days turned several eyes on the city's beach from across the nation. The leader-less movement grew much bigger as protests began in other cities across the country and later by [[Tamils]] in 15 countries including [[United States|United States of America]], [[United Kingdom|UK]], [[China]], [[Japan]] and [[Singapore]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/news-shots/jallikattu-protests-peaceful-protests-held-in-minneapolis-usa.html|title=Jallikattu Protests: Peaceful protests held in Minneapolis, USA|website=Behindwoods News Shots|access-date=2017-03-14}}</ref> The protest came to end only after the ban was revoked after the [[Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act]], 1960 was amended by the state government to allow the sport.

== Events ==
[[File:Foreshore-Ganesh.jpg|thumb|Immersion of Ganesh idols on the Marina at [[Foreshore Estate]]]]
Being the most prominent open space in the city, the Marina Beach hosts several events throughout the year. The annual [[Independence Day (India)|Independence Day]] and the [[Republic Day (India)|Republic Day]] ceremonial parades and airshows are held along the promenade along with the unfurling of the [[Indian Flag|national flag]] in the Marina. The annual idol-immersion event following the [[Hindu]] festival of [[Vinayaka Chathurthi]] takes place at the beach where most of the idols of [[Lord Ganesh]] kept on display during the festival in the city is immersed into the sea. The event occurs in the month of August–September. The beach is also the venue for several [[marathon]] and [[walkathon]] campaigns throughout the year conducted for various cause.

The beach receives the maximum number of visitors on the Kannum Pongal day, a day in the festival season of [[Pongal (festival)|Pongal]] in mid-January, when about 150,000 people come to the beach.<ref>{{cite news
  | last = Madhavan
  | first = D.
  | title = City zoo gets most visitors in a decade
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 18 January 2012
  | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-18/chennai/30638730_1_kssvp-reddy-vandalur-zoo-lion-cub
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130511203959/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-18/chennai/30638730_1_kssvp-reddy-vandalur-zoo-lion-cub
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 11 May 2013
  | newspaper = [[The Times of India]]
  | access-date = 19 January 2012}}</ref>

The annual [[Chennai Marathon]] managed by Chennai Runners is held in the beach starting from the Anna Square to Annai Velankanni Church on the [[Elliot's Beach]] in [[Besant Nagar]]. It is India's biggest city [[marathon]] and is also said to be South India's richest marathon, in which over 1,000 athletes and more than 20,000 people participate, which includes various categories such as a 21-km run for professional athletes, a city run for everybody, a junior run for children, a master's run for senior citizens and a wheelchair run for the disabled.<ref>{{Cite news
  | last = TNN 
  | title = Hundreds hit the road in aid of poor children
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 13 July 2008
  | url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Hundreds-hit-the-road-in-aid-of-poor-children/articleshow/3227652.cms
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130511210711/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-13/chennai/27943230_1_marina-beach-underprivileged-children-varsha
  | url-status = live
  | archive-date = 11 May 2013
  | newspaper = [[The Times of India]]
  | access-date = 13 October 2011}}</ref>

From 2016, the Marina Runner Marathon managed by Marina Runner Running Group is held every year in the last weekend of February, this event prides itself on promoting running along Marina Beach, the second longest Urban beach in the world.

In 2008, the beach played host to India's first International Beach Volleyball Championship, ''BSNL FIVB Chennai Challenger:2008'', from 15 to 20 July to popularize [[beach volleyball]]. The event was organized by the Beach Volleyball Club and was sponsored by [[Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited]]. Eleven Indian teams along with 60 teams from 21 countries participated in the 6-day-long tournament offering a total prize money of US$40,000 in the men's and US$6,400 in the women's events.<ref>{{Cite news
  | last = ANI 
  | title = India seeks to popularise beach volleyball
  | newspaper = Thaindian
  | publisher = Thaindian News
  | date = 21 July 2008
  | url = http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/south-asia/india-seeks-to-popularise-beach-volleyball_10074262.html
  | access-date = 2 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news
 |title=Chennai to host first int'l beach volleyball tourney 
 |newspaper=Hindustan Times 
 |date=10 July 2008 
 |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Chennai-to-host-first-int-l-beach-volleyball-tourney/Article1-323093.aspx 
 |access-date=3 October 2011 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101024040318/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Chennai-to-host-first-int-l-beach-volleyball-tourney/Article1-323093.aspx 
 |archive-date=24 October 2010 
}}</ref>

In March 2016, "My leader" campaign was launched in this historical place. The main focus of this event was to attract youngsters to take up politics.
[[File:Survival Instincts Anti-Terrorism Drill.png|thumb|[[Survival Instincts]] provides mission briefing to Navy, Coast Guard, and Police Coastal security group.]]
From 2014, Tsunami <ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-06-03 |title=Sea rescue drill captivates crowds on Marina beach |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/Sea-rescue-drill-captivates-crowds-on-Marina-beach/article11624489.ece |access-date=2023-07-26 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> and Anti-terrorism Drills have been conducted at the beach<ref>{{Cite web |title=Movers and Shakers of the Deep get Set for Any Tsunami |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2014/may/31/movers-and-shakers-of-the-deep-get-set-for-any-tsunami-619597.html |access-date=2023-07-26 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> by [[Survival Instincts]] jointly with Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Tamil Nadu Disaster Management Authority, and Tamil Nadu Police Coastal Security Group.

==Transportation==
[[Image:Kamarajar Salai and Marina Beach.jpg|thumb|Kamaraj Salai running along the beach]]
Kamaraj Salai, a six-lane road and one of the arterial roads of Chennai City, runs alongside the beach providing a sea view starting from the Victory War Memorial near the [[Cooum River]] delta till the lighthouse to the south. The road extends further south beyond the lighthouse where it is known as the 'Santhome High Road', running away from the sea but parallel to the beach until [[Santhome]]. The [[Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai)|Metropolitan Transport Corporation]] has a terminus called the 'Anna Square' terminus at the northern end of the beach, Triplicane Terminus near Kannagi statue/Pycrofts Road, Vivekananda House (Ice House) Terminus and Foreshore Estate terminus. Railway stations alongside the beach include the [[Chepauk railway station|Chepauk]], the [[Thiruvallikeni railway station|Tiruvallikeni]] and the [[Light House railway station|Lighthouse]] [[Chennai MRTS|MRTS]] railway stations. The Poonamallee–Lighthouse [[Line 4 (Chennai Metro)|(Line 4)]] section of the [[Chennai Metro]] (Phase II) under construction will connect the beach with other parts of the city.

There was a plan to build a 9.7-km elevated road along the beach connecting the lighthouse with the East Coast Road in the south at a cost of {{INR}} 10,000 million. However, the plan was dropped due to opposition from the public such as the 'Save Chennai Beaches' campaign.<ref>{{Cite news
  | title = Elevated road project dropped, State government tells court
  | newspaper = The Hindu
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 9 September 2011
  | url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article2439962.ece
  | access-date = 8 October 2011}}</ref>

==Legacy==
[[File:Chennai (6708347785).jpg|thumb|The pedestrian path along the beach]]
Although the beach promenade was created in 1884, the sandy shore has been mentioned in the literature much earlier. The beach shore has a mentioning in the verse no. 2297 of the [[Divya Prabandha|4000 Divya Prabandham]] written by [[Peyalvar|Peyalwar]]. The verse, dating back to 7th century CE, was written in [[Tamil language|Tamil]], and it says that the sea was so rich with white waves bringing to the shore very precious [[Gemstone|gems]] like red [[coral]]s and white [[pearl]]s and that the light of the dusk (moonlight) falls on these gems at the shore and makes the area brightened with beautiful colors.<ref name="2297 divya prabhandham">{{cite web|title=Verse 2297 by Peyalwar, in the '4000 Divya Prabhandam'|url=http://dravidaveda.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2886|work=Dravida Veda|access-date=16 April 2012}}</ref>

[[Mountstuart Elphinstone Grant Duff|Grant Duff]], the governor of Madras who developed the beach promenade, recalls in his memoirs:
{{cquote|Our way lay first along the shore and made me think of the very sensible answer made to me when I was talking about going to India. 'Go', he said, 'For God's sake go. If you spend only twelve hours on the beach at Madras, it will be a great deal better than nothing'.<ref name="beach_thehindu"/>}}
Grant Duff christened it the ''Madras Marina'' in 1884, the same year when the beach promenade was created,<ref name="beach_thehindu" /> on which he explains in a letter:
{{cquote|We have greatly benefited Madras by turning the rather dismal beach of five years ago into one of the most beautiful promenades in the world. From old Sicilian recollections, I gave in 1884 to our new creation the name of Marina; and I was not a little amused when walking there last winter with the Italian General Saletta, he suddenly said to me 'On se dirai a Palerme'.<ref name="tercentenary" />}}
In ''New India'', the newspaper that was run by [[Annie Besant]], the Irish theosophist and Home Rule advocate, the beauty of Marina Beach was described back in 1914. On 6 October 1914, Anne Besant wrote,<ref name="Sivaraman2006">{{cite book|author=Mythily Sivaraman|title=Fragments of a life: a family archive|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AXN1Mq2WuYsC&pg=PA44|access-date=13 October 2011|year=2006|publisher=Zubaan|isbn=978-81-89013-11-0|page=44}}</ref>
{{cquote|One of the chief attractions of Madras is undeniably its Marina. There is nothing in all of India to match this long and pleasantest of promenades that runs by the side of the foam-crested surf from the southern extremity of the Fort to Santhome. The Marina is certainly a cap of this 'city of magnificent distances'. An old promenade, popularly known as 'Cupid's Bow' south of the fort, now hides her head in shame besides her statelier and more favoured sister.}}
She also added that Madras<ref name="Sivaraman2006"/> {{cquote|... in keeping with her dignity as a progressive city with a population of over half a million souls, (its) delectable evening resort, Marina Beach will be converted into being 'a thing of beauty and joy forever'.}}

==Future developments==
[[File:Chennai, India (21014159698).jpg|thumb|220px|View of the beach from the lighthouse]]
[[File:Chennai WV banner.jpg|thumb|500px|Southern stretch of the beach, south of the lighthouse]]
In January 2014, the corporation announced a makeover of the 2.8-km stretch on the southern part of the beach from Lighthouse to Foreshore Estate, including development of walkways, benches, a gallery, bicycle tracks, concrete roads, service trenches, rainwater trenches and streetlight fittings at an estimated cost of {{INR}} 400 million. The development would provide alternative accommodation to vendors of the existing market on the Marina Loop Road by commissioning of a modern fish market on the stretch. The loop road connecting the Lighthouse and Foreshore Estate, which is currently a 20-metre-wide road, will be converted to a four-lane concrete road barricaded on both sides with stainless steel pillared railings and will pass all along the Santhome coast of the Marina Beach. A 2.4-metre-wide bicycle track, a 3.3-metre-wide walkway and a 2.5-metre-wide gallery will be developed on the eastern side of the road. The western side of the road will have a fish market with cold storage facilities as well as a walkway.<ref name="Hindu_SouthernStretchToGetFacelift">{{Cite news
  | last = Lopez 
  | first = Aloysius Xavier 
  | title = Southern stretch of Marina to get facelift 
  | newspaper = The Hindu
  | location = Chennai
  | date = 8 January 2014 
  | url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/southern-stretch-of-marina-to-get-facelift/article5550256.ece
  | access-date = 18 January 2014}}</ref>

The corporation also plans to develop more than 300 heritage pillars, each 1.2 meters tall, on the western side of Kamaraj Salai opposite the beach. The uniformly designed heritage pillars will be made of granite and iron on the stretch from All India Radio to Swami Sivananda Salai. The pillars would replace the existing walls of various institutions to improve aesthetics around the beach.<ref name="Hindu_SouthernStretchToGetFacelift"/> In 2018, the Corporation revealed plans to make the beach disabled-friendly.<ref>{{Cite news
  | last = Poorvaja 
  | first = S. 
  | title = Corpn. plans to make Marina accessible to the disabled 
  | newspaper = The Hindu
  | location = Chennai
  | publisher = Kasturi & Sons
  | date = 14 December 2018
  | url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/corpn-plans-to-make-marina-accessible-to-the-disabled/article25737551.ece
  | access-date = 16 January 2018}}</ref>

As of 2019, the Greater Chennai Corporation was exploring the feasibility of conducting water sports on the Marina beach.<ref name="TH_PlanForWaterSports">{{Cite news
  | last = Mohamed Imranullah
  | first = S. 
  | title = Chennai corporation exploring feasibility of water sports at Marina, Commissioner tells HC
  | newspaper = The Hindu
  | location = Chennai
  | pages = 3
  | publisher = Kasturi & Sons
  | date = 17 December 2019
  | url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/corporation-exploring-feasibility-of-water-sports-at-marina-commissioner-tells-hc/article30324494.ece
  | access-date = 28 December 2019}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
Marina Beach has been featured in numerous [[Tamil cinema|Tamil movies]], including the 2012 [[Tamil language|Tamil]] movie ''[[Marina (2012 film)|Marina]]'' that is entirely based upon the lives of child workers in the beach. The entire story and screenplay for the comedy hit film ''[[Kadhalikka Neramillai]]'' were conceived on Marina Beach and the "Enna Paarvai" song sequence in the film was filmed in this beach.

==See also==
* [[Elliot's Beach]]
* [[Golden Beach, Chennai|Golden Beach]]
* [[List of beaches in India]]
{{Portal bar|India|Geography|Environment}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book | last = Muthiah| first = S. | author-link = S. Muthiah | title = Madras Rediscovered| publisher = EastWest | date = 2014 | location = Chennai | isbn = 978-93-84030-28-5}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{Wikivoyage inline}}
{{Chennai Topics}}
{{Hydrography of Tamil Nadu}}
{{Tourism in Tamil Nadu}}

[[Category:Tourist attractions in Chennai]]
[[Category:Beaches of Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Geography of Chennai]]