Pondicherry: Things to Do

Paradise beach is the best beach near Pondicherry. It is reached by boat (100Rs per head at the time of writing) from Chunnambar resort which is just by the side of NH45A south of Pondicherry, just before the road crosses a bridge over a backwater. Chunnambar is around 8KMs from Pondicherry. You can take a normal boat or a speed boat to Paradise beach.

 There is a very basic and small bar which serves suprisingly cold soft drinks, beer and snacks. There are a couple of shelters for protection from the sun or rain and plenty of palm trees for shade too. The sand is nice and fine, unlike Auro Beach, and the sea doesn't get too steep too soon. Also, Auro Beach is very dirty and access path to the beach is very dirty.

 Though consumption of alcohol is prohibited as per PTDCs rules, as mentioned above beer is sold in shacks on the beach.

 Paradise beach is a must see tourist attraction but lot of of people miss this important location. This is the only beach around Pondicherry which remotely resembles a public beach that you would go to

.

A recommended side trip is a boat 'cruise' at Chunnambar, a "backwater" according to the Pondicherry tourist office.  Although the rickshaw ride seems rather long, and is correspondingly uncomfortable, the birdife that you can see during this short boat ride is worth it. You pay three rupees to get in (and the same amount for parking for your rickshaw if you want it to wait), but the kiosk is unlikey to have any small change, so if you don't bring any, expect to pay at least ten rupees for entrance. The boat trip itself is 30 rupees, and it seems to be a regular family outing for middle-class Indians on holiday in the area. The boat landing is attached to a children's playground, which is pleasantly shaded, so if you brought a picnic it could make an enjoyable family event for a morning or an afternoon. The boat trips get shorter as the day advances