Edward Elliot’s Beach Chennai

Elliot’s Beach was named after Edward Elliot, the Chief Magistrate, Superintendent of Madras, and Governor of Chennai during the British era. It is situated in Tamil Nadu on the Eastern Coastal Plains of India near Basant Nagar and is comparatively quieter and ideal for sea bathing.

Elliot’s Beach is also known as Besant Nagar Beach. The famous Marina Beach in Chennai extends further south, giving rise to Elliot’s Beach. Located near Besant Nagar, this scenic beach Popular among travelers who seek a secluded and serene beach to enjoy quality time with their loved ones amidst a peaceful ambiance.

This beach is pleasant with safe swimming, and ideal for lazing around and picnicking. The calm atmosphere, combined with the many attractions at the beach, ensures that the place is frequented by tourists and locals residing in the nearby regions. Affectionately nicknamed “Bessie”, Elliot’s Beach is lined with fast food joints, small stores, and a few shrines and serves as a popular hangout for today’s younger generation.

Location: Besant Nagar, Chennai

About Elliot’s Beach

Elliot’s Beach is among the famous tourist spots in Chennai where tourists can rejuvenate and relax. It is a paradise for nature lovers and peace seekers. Elliot’s Beach is a popular place to visit on weekends in Chennai due to the salubrious weather for families, kids, local college students, and couples.

Britishers often visited this beach during the colonial era. Several monuments were built on the beach, including the Karl Schmidt Memorial, which was built in honor of the Dutch sailor Karl Schmidt who is believed to have lost his life while saving the life of a drowning girl in 1930.

Type of Destination: Sightseeing and rejuvenating

• Timings: 24-hours
• Entry Charges: Nil
• Duration: 2 – 3 hours

How to Reach Elliot’s Beach

Elliot’s Beach is in Chennai, just 18 km away. It is among Chennai’s most popular and clean beaches, flocked by many tourists. This beach is easily accessible from the major cities and towns of Tamil Nadu and other nearby states. Chennai has its airport and railway station. Tourists can easily travel to Elliot’s Beach by cab or taxi from the airport and railway station. 

Here is the detailed information about how to reach Elliot’s Beach:

• By Air: Chennai has its airport, Chennai International Airport, that serves Elliot’s Beach, which is 18 km away. There are many direct and connecting domestic and international flights to Chennai from Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Madurai, Goa, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur. Taxis and buses are readily available from the airport to Elliot’s Beach.
• By Rail: This is the cheapest and the most convenient way to reach Elliot’s Beach. The nearest railhead is from Elliot’s Beach in Chennai Railway Station, which is 15 km away. Taxis, cabs, and buses are readily available outside the station for the beach.
• By Road: Elliot’s Beach is easily accessible from the major nearby cities of Chennai, including Mahabalipuram, Thiruvallur, and Kanchipuram, by road. Regular buses are plying from these places for Chennai, from where one can travel in a private taxi, cab, or bus to reach here.

Best time to visit Elliot’s Beach

The best time to visit Elliot’s Beach is in the winter, from November to February, when the region enjoys calm and soothing weather. This is the peak season to visit the beach and indulge in outdoor activities. During the summer, this place experiences hot and humid climatic conditions, making sightseeing and outdoor activities uncomfortable.

This beach’s magnificence and breathtaking beauty can be best enjoyed in winter when the weather remains pleasant. It is an amazing time to stroll at the beach and witness the enchanting sunset. Tourists can indulge in water sports and adventure activities along with scenic vistas. Delight in the breathtaking views of the serene ambiance.

Major Highlights of Elliot’s Beach

About a kilometer to the north of Elliot’s beach is a nice, clean, and quiet stretch of the beach behind the Theosophical Society headquarters. This is the place where the river Adyar meets the sea. This place is a favorite haunt for bird-watchers, where they can spot a variety of birds like egrets, pond-herons, and flamingoes.

The southern part of the beach is lined with some beautiful shrines like the Ashtalakshmi Temple, the country’s newest shore temple dedicated to the eight manifestations of Goddess Lakshmi, a Ganesha Temple, and the Velankanni Church, which is believed to have the same miraculous attributes as the Mother Shrine in the south. Another popular place is The Schmidt Memorial, a stone memorial to Danish sailor Karl Schmidt, who lost his life rescuing a drowning swimmer. It is one of the famous landmarks on the beach. Elliot’s Beach is an ideal option for tourists looking to enjoy a leisure time sunbathing amidst tranquil environs.

Places to visit near Elliot’s Beach

There are a plethora of places near Elliot’s Beach which can be explored during the Chennai trip. Some of the popular destinations near the beach are:

• VGP Golden Beach
• ISKCON Temple
• Government Museum
• Marina Beach
• Marundeeswarar Temple
• Arignar Anna Zoological Park
• Valluvar Kottayam
• Ashtalakshmi Temple
• Dakshinachitra Museum
• Vivekananda House
• Madras War Cemetery

Places to Stay near Elliot’s Beach

Located in Chennai and the vicinity of many tourist attractions, Elliot’s Beach is a popular place among families and couples. To cater to the accommodation demands of different travelers, Chennai houses a plentiful of staying options. Some of the best places to stay near Elliot’s Beach are:

• The Bentley Seaside Boutique Hotel
• Starlit Suites
• Coastal Paradise Beach House
• Holiday Inn Chennai
• Eldoris Hotel Resort
• The Leela Palace, Chennai
• Somerset Greenways
• Savera Hotel
• Taj Club House
• Citadines OMR Chennai
• ibis Chennai