What to expect
Highlights
- A working fishing village with brightly painted boats hauled up on the sand
- A heritage beach resort built within a former Nawab-era fort by the shore
- A well-known local surf school offering lessons and board hire
Covelong Beach
Covelong, or Kovalam, is a fishing village and beach on the East Coast Road about 40 km south of Chennai, on the site of an old port developed in the 18th century under the Nawab of the Carnatic and later European traders.
Practical guide
Plan Covelong Beach
Typebeach
Nearest baseMamallapuram
Best timeThe cooler, drier months and the early morning or late afternoon are the most pleasant times for the beach and the water
Time neededA relaxed visit runs about two to three hours, or half a day if you add a surf lesson
EntryFree public beach; surf lessons and resort facilities charged separately (indicative)
Nearest town/baseMamallapuram
DistrictChengalpattu
Place typebeach
Time neededA relaxed visit runs about two to three hours, or half a day if you add a surf lesson.
Covelong, or Kovalam, is a fishing village and beach on the East Coast Road about 40 km south of Chennai, on the site of an old port developed in the 18th century under the Nawab of the Carnatic and later European traders.
The old fort here was converted into a heritage beach resort, and the village has become known in recent years as a hub for surfing on the Tamil Nadu coast.
Visiting
Covelong Beach — at a glance
TimingsOpen access; daylight hours are safest for the water (indicative)
Best timeCooler, drier months and early morning or late afternoon (indicative)
Entry: Free public beach; surf lessons and resort facilities charged separately (indicative)
Getting there: About 40 km south of Chennai on the ECR toward Mamallapuram; reachable by car, taxi or ECR bus (indicative)
Swim only where it is safe and watch for currents; arrange surf lessons in advance through the local surf school
Getting there
How to visit
- Drive or take an ECR bus about 40 km south from Chennai toward Mamallapuram to reach Kovalam or Covelong
- Spend time on the beach and by the fishing village, then head to the surf school if you want a lesson
- Book surf lessons ahead and go early in the day for calmer, cooler conditions
Distance by road
- Chennai55 km
- Kanchipuram65 km
- Puducherry95 km
- Chengalpattu (town)30 km
- Vellore130 km
Road km to Chengalpattu; ghat roads and traffic vary — allow extra.
Timing
Best time
The cooler, drier months and the early morning or late afternoon are the most pleasant times for the beach and the water.
Weather in Covelong BeachSeasonal guide
Live forecast loads in your browser.
Visitor notes
- This is a working fishing beach as well as a leisure spot, so be respectful around boats, nets and the fishing community
- Arrange surfing through the established local surf school rather than swimming out alone in unfamiliar water
Safety
Good to know
- The open sea here can have strong currents and there may be no lifeguards, so swim with care, stay near the shore and heed local advice.
On the map
Where Covelong Beach is
Good to know
Covelong Beach — frequently asked
When is the best time to visit Covelong Beach?
The cooler, drier months and the early morning or late afternoon are the most pleasant times for the beach and the water.
What are the entry fee and timings at Covelong Beach?
Entry: Free public beach; surf lessons and resort facilities charged separately (indicative). Timings: Open access; daylight hours are safest for the water (indicative). Fees and timings are indicative — confirm on site before you travel.
How do I reach Covelong Beach?
Drive or take an ECR bus about 40 km south from Chennai toward Mamallapuram to reach Kovalam or Covelong Spend time on the beach and by the fishing village, then head to the surf school if you want a lesson Book surf lessons ahead and go early in the day for calmer, cooler conditions
How much time do I need for Covelong Beach?
A relaxed visit runs about two to three hours, or half a day if you add a surf lesson.
What else is near Covelong Beach?
Nearby you can pair Muttukadu Boat House (2.3 km), DakshinaChitra (4.1 km), Madras Crocodile Bank Trust (5.0 km), Krishna's Butterball (19.8 km).
What should I know before visiting Covelong Beach?
The open sea here can have strong currents and there may be no lifeguards, so swim with care, stay near the shore and heed local advice.
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