Paradise Beach is the beach most people picture when they think of a day at the sea in Pondicherry. It lies on a sandbar between the Chunnambar backwaters and the Bay of Bengal, about 7–8 km south of the town centre by road, near the village of Pooranamkuppam. There is no bridge from town, so the standard way to get there is a short boat ride from the government-run Chunnambar Boat House.
The boat trip is half the fun: you glide down a wide, calm backwater lined with coconut palms and green banks, then walk over the sand to a long, open beach with soft golden sand. Unlike the rocky Promenade in town, this is a real beach to walk barefoot on and paddle in.
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How the boat works
Drive or take an auto to the Chunnambar Boat House on the Cuddalore road, buy your ticket at the counter and join the queue for the next boat. Boats are run by the Pondicherry Tourism Development Corporation (PTTDC). The ride itself is short, and the boats drop you at a jetty on the sandbar, a few minutes’ walk from the sea.
Your ticket covers the return trip. On busy days there can be a long wait for both the outward and return boats, so plan for it.
Timings and tickets
At the time of writing, boats run from about 9 AM, with the last boat to the beach around 4 PM and the last boat back around 5:30 PM. The PTTDC tariff lists the regular boat at ₹300 per adult and ₹150 per child, plus GST, which works out at about ₹354 per adult. Speedboat rides cost more. Prices and timings change, and services can be suspended in rough weather or during the monsoon, so check at the boat house or on the PTTDC website before you go.
There is no separate fee to be on the beach itself.
What to do at Paradise Beach
- Walk the long stretch of sand and look for shells and crabs.
- Paddle at the water’s edge. Swim only if conditions are calm, and always come out when staff on duty ask you to.
- Eat at the snack stalls and small restaurants near the jetty: fried fish, corn, coconut water and cold drinks are the usual fare.
- Watch the fishing boats and the birds on the backwater during the boat ride.
- Photograph the dunes and the empty stretches away from the jetty in the soft morning light.
Best time to visit
Go early. The first boats after 9 AM are quieter, the sand is cooler and the light is better. From late morning the sun is fierce and there is little natural shade, so a visit between about 11 AM and 3 PM needs hats, sunscreen and plenty of water. Weekends and holidays are very crowded, with long ticket queues; weekdays are far more relaxed.
November to March is the most pleasant season. During the north-east monsoon (roughly October to December) boat services can stop at short notice.
Practical tips
- Safety: the Bay of Bengal has strong currents and sudden deep patches. Stay within your depth and keep children close.
- What to carry: water, sunscreen, a hat, a light towel and a change of clothes. Keep valuables to a minimum.
- Footwear: flip-flops or sandals; the sand gets very hot by midday.
- Dress: casual beachwear is fine on the beach, but carry a cover-up for the boat and boat house.
- Parking: there is parking at the boat house. Our drivers wait there while you are on the beach.
- Plastics: carry your rubbish back with you; the backwater and dunes are fragile.
Nearby places
Close by are the Arts and Crafts Village at Murungapakkam, the ancient Roman trading site of Arikamedu and the Blue Flag Eden Beach at Chinna Veerampattinam. All can be combined with Paradise Beach in one day with a car.
Visiting on a tour
Paradise Beach is included in our heritage and beaches tour, the Pondicherry family holiday and the honeymoon plan. It can also be added to local sightseeing if you start early. See more coastal ideas on our beaches page.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Paradise Beach in Pondicherry?
Most visitors take the government boat from the Chunnambar Boat House, about 7–8 km south of the town centre on the Cuddalore road. The ride through the backwaters is short and the ticket covers the return trip.
What is the Paradise Beach boat ticket price?
At the time of writing, the PTTDC tariff lists the regular boat at ₹300 per adult and ₹150 per child, plus GST (about ₹354 per adult). Check current rates at the boat house before you go.
What are the Paradise Beach boat timings?
At the time of writing, boats run from about 9 AM, the last boat to the beach leaves around 4 PM and the last return is around 5:30 PM. Services can stop in bad weather.
Is it safe to swim at Paradise Beach?
Paddling is popular, but the sea has strong currents. Stay in shallow water, follow instructions from staff on duty and keep children close.
How much time do you need at Paradise Beach?
Plan half a day: the drive, ticket queue and boat ride take time, and most people spend two to three hours on the beach.
