Pulicat Lake

Chennai, with its blistering heat throughout the summer months does not provide any reprieve to its residents. But there are some uncharted territories around this cultural hub of India that are becoming increasingly popular destinations not only for the tourists but also the locals.
Pulicat/Pazhaverkadu lake is situated on the backwaters of Bay of Bengal sea. Around 30 miles north of Chennai, it offers one of the spectacular beaches that is clean and uncorrupt and offers a much desired alternative to the monotonous and horribly dirty Marina. The place is easily accessible (for a change) through NH 5 and without much traffic you can hit the place in an hour's time. You can get a little bamboozled initially as there are no tourist resorts or anything of that sorts, and the stench of fish might just make you sick, but you have just stepped an tiny village and as you might have guessed, the primary occupation out here is fishing.
Pulicat is an ideal place if you want to plan a picnic with kids and family or surprise your partner in a romantic evening watching the sunset into the horizon. You can find handful of fisher folks, who after their early morning venture into sea, operate a mini-tourism of sorts in the afternoons. For a price of Rs. 500 or thereabouts, you can get a engine-fitted catamaran and a couple of fishermen to sail you into the lake and get you to the beach. After about 30 minutes, you reach the first destination. It can be an ideal location for movie shoot with its trees and bushes. It is a nice idea to engage yourself in a game of frisbee or beach-volleyball if you have the necessary accessories. And then relax in the shade with a nice meal or a beer (not for kids). Beware, there are no stores anywhere. So you need to get everything you need.
It does not end there. After a while you again board the boat and proceed to another spectacular spot. The next beach was mind blowing. There were lagoons, thatched umbrellas and for the ones who are passionate about shells, you get that a plenty. It was undoubtedly the best beach I have ever been to. And I have been to quite a few, including Miami. This beats them all. The mere landscape will blow your mind off. It was unorthodox, to say the least and must visit for those who love the sound of waves and the cool sea breeze hustling past the ears. Believe it or not, the temperature was 3-4 degrees cooler here, and that says a lot.
Making revenue should not be a big deal if the tourism industry could catch hold of this place. But then, Pulicat would have lost its identity and probably never thrive in its virgin beauty again! Folks, its a must visit...