Paradise Beach, also known as Plage Paradiso, is situated in Chunnambar, close to Pondicherry town. Adorned with the golden sand, this famous and highly sought after beach is always swaying in a cold sea breeze. This is a little-isolated beach, and to reach here, you have to take a ferry across the backwaters, which takes around 20-30 minutes. The sand of the paradise beach is extraordinarily soft and grainy - and a walk along the entire beach is fantastic.
Part of the fun in reaching the beach is the beautiful ferry from the boathouse - the backwaters on the way to the beach are green and have thick mangrove forests. Especially after the monsoons, the backwaters are fresh and green. You can spot a lot of birds while on the ride - and photography enthusiasts would relish the opportunity to get some great photos here.
The currents in the water are high, so it is advisable to not go deep in the water. There are a few shacks along the main entrance to the beach, and you can get fresh coconut water and some simple snacks - don't expect any fancy street food though. Paradise beach is a great spot to reach early morning and get a view of the sunrise on the eastern coast. You can spend hours sitting on the beach and enjoying the waves. A variety of water sports facilities are available here as well - enthusiastic tourists can try a hand at fishing as fishing rods and nets are easily available for rent.
Things To Do at Paradise Beach
Photography : The beach is truly a paradise for people who love landscape photography. You will find many inspiring sights to capture even throughout the boat ride to the beach. Especially after a spell of rains, the forest of mangroves on the river banks become a lush green blanket of leaves. As you approach closer to Paradise beach, the dark blue water of the Chunnambar river can be seen entering the sea at the 'sangamam'.
Play a Sport : Once you reach the beach, it is a beautiful spot to play beach football, cricket or volleyball with your friends. The fabled soft sand of the beach makes it the ideal place to play sports.
Walk : Kick off your sandals and walk the length of the beach
Eat : You may find few vendors on the beach selling hot 'bhajjis' and coconut water or soft drinks. Perch yourself at a good spot on the sand and munch on a few of these local snacks while gazing out at sea.
Watch the Sunrise : On a perfectly bright day, you will enjoy various shades of blue stretching to the horizon and beyond. And if you are at the beach during sunrise, nature will put on an amazingly colourful show, a feast for your senses.
Best Time To Visit Paradise Beach
The best time to visit paradise beach for these activities is November to March in the winter season. The retreating monsoon occasionally brings heavy rain to the area in October and November and it is best to avoid a trip to Pondicherry at this time.
How to Reach Paradise Beach
You can take an auto from the main city to the Chunnambar boat house, which is about 7kms south of the main town.