Rock Beach Pondicherry – Timings, Transport, Hotels, Facilities, Nearby Places & Pictures

“From the French Architecture to spiritual retreat; Pondicherry is sure to entice you”.

Pondicherry currently Puducherry is a little “France in India”. This coastal city is one of the tourist attractions in South India. The city is popularly known for its unique French architectures and wonderful beaches. Further, the city has never failed to fascinate its visitors with its scenic beauty.  Hence, it is a perfect place to plan your trip.

If you wish to make your trip a memorable one, visit “Pondicherry beach” or “Promenade Beach”. This beach is popularly known as “Rock Beach” or “Gandhi Beach”. In this post, we provide you with the location, transport facilities, hotels, and other necessary info regarding the Rock beach to make your trip comfortable and easy.

Rock Beach or Promenade Beach

Rock Beach is the “Pride of Pondicherry”. This beach stretches approximately 1.5 Kilometres across the shore. This beach is a wonderland for the visitors. It has some admirable landmarks like 

• Statue of Joan of Arc
• French War Memorial
• Heritage Town Hall

In addition to it, the rock beach has some of the mesmerizing attractions like

• Statue of Mahatma Gandhi
• Statue of Dupleix
• Old Lighthouse
• Remains of the old pier
• The old french customs office

Things to do at Rock Beach

During weekends, the beach will be a bit crowded than the weekdays. If you don’t like a crowded place, it is advisable to go on the weekdays. 

The Promenade beach is the real gift of mother nature. The shoreline of the beach is filled with rocks. It is the best place to sit with your loved one and view the bay water that hits around the black rocks. Don’t forget to take photographs on the rock with the bay water view. 

Early Morning at the Rock beach

If you visit the beach in the early morning, the cool breeze and fresh air will make you feel fresh with peace. Further, visiting the beach in the early morning will delight your eyes with a wonderful sunrise. Aside from these, you can do activities like Jogging, Walking, and Yoga.

Play with the waves

Opposite to the chief secretary’s office, you can see the sandy beach. You can climb down and play with the waves on the sandy shoreline. Alongside it, it offers a wonderful scenic charm where you can take lovely photographs with your loved one. Though the old pier is inaccessible to the public, it has an amazing setting for Photography. 

 Events

During weekends, awareness programs and events like dance, music will be organized and held at Gandhi Thidal (Opposite to Gandhi Statue). Furthermore, on every New year night, Pondicherry tourism department will organize events for the general public. In addition, there will be a huge crowd on the Rock beach to celebrate the New Year.

Shopping 

Near the old customs office, you can find Craft Mela or Handicraft Emporium. Here, you can buy a memorable thing for your friends and family. Also, there are some road-side shops which sell children toys, soap bubbles, and colourful balloons.

Necessities

At Rock beach, you can spot many stalls, restaurants, and cafes. You can buy whatever food you wish to have. Near Gandhi Thidal, you can find street food market, where you can buy street foods like Pani Poori, Popcorns, Paav Baji, Shawarma, Chicken Burger, Ice creams, etc. Also, you can find some shops that sell seashell ornaments and home decor. 

At the end of the street food market, there are paid restrooms for Men and Women. You need to pay ₹5.00/- to use the restroom over there. 

Vehicular Traffic at Rock Beach

During day time, you can roam in your bike or car on the beach road. But, in the evening, the vehicular traffic is controlled. From 5:30 PM, Vehicles are not allowed on the beach road. So, if you are going to the beach by bike or four-wheeler, park your vehicle in the required parking area which is located behind the beach road.

Rock Beach Timing

The best time to reach the beach is early morning and in the evening. There is no time limit to reach the beach. You can wander on the beach road late at night if you love to spend your time alone.

How to reach Rock Beach

From the bus stand, the Rock beach is situated at 2.5 Kilometres away. It takes around 10 to 15 minutes to reach the beach via bus. Take a route bus from the bus stand and reach the GH bus stop. From there, by walk, you can reach the Promenade beach. Or else, take a tempo from the bus stand and reach the GH stop. 

Cost for Bus ticket: ₹7.00/-

Cost for Tempo: ₹7.00/-

Rock Beach Map View

Nearby Restaurants/Hotels

1. Le Café

Le Café is a retreat for the tourists. It is the only seafront cafe in Pondy. Good for Cakes, Salads, Organic South Indian Coffee, and breakfasts. The prices are reasonable. 

Timing: Opens 24 hours a day.

Location: Beach Road, White Town, Puducherry – 605001.

2. Promenade

The Promenade is a 4-star hotel which is located right across the Promenade Beach. The interior of the hotel is classy and modern, while the exterior boasts the French colonial charm.

Amenities

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Free Wifi
• Swimming Pool

3. Ajantha Beach Guest House

Ajantha Beach Guest House is a retreat for the travellers who are looking for the hotels near the Rock beach. The Guest House offers a wonderful scenic view of the Rock beach from your Room.

Amenities

• Multi-cuisine Restaurant
• Air-conditioned Dulex and Standard Rooms
• Cocktail Lounge Bar
• Money Exchange
• Ayurvedic Massage

Places to visit nearby Rock Beach

1. Bharathi Government Park

The Bharathi Park or Government Park is situated at the centre of the old colonial region, White Town, Pondicherry. The Park will delight your eyes with its green-land, children play park, and much more. It is a perfect place for planning a day picnic with your family. In addition to the scenic charm, the park houses Aayi Mandapam – a significant momentum of Pondicherry.

Entry: Free

Location: Rue Saint Gilles Street, White Town, Puducherry – 605001.

2. Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple

Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple is one of the most famous ancient temples in Pondicherry, devoted to worship “Lord Ganesha”. The name of the temple is obtained from two Tamil words “Manal” and “Kulam”.

In Tamil, “Manal” refers to “Sand” and “Kulam” refers to “Pond”. Back in the time of construction, this place was full of sand around the pond. Hence, people named the god as “Manal Kulathu Vinayagar”.

Also, one of the beautiful thing for the temple is “Lakshmi”. Lakshmi is a temple elephant, blesses you if you give fruit or money to her.

Entry fee: Free

Timing: 5:45 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM.

Location: Manakula Vinayagar Koil St, White Town, Puducherry, 605001.

3. Sri Aurobindo Ashram

This is one of the most popular and wealthiest Ashrams in India. This Ashram is located in the eastern part of Pondicherry. You can meditate in the calm surroundings and enter a different world. 

Entry fee: Free (Children below 3 years are not allowed).

Timing: 8:00 Am to 12:00 Noon and 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Location: Marine Street, White Town, Puducherry – 605002.

4. Pondicherry Museum

The Pondicherry Museum is situated in the former Law Building. It has a collection of bronzes and stone sculptures from the Chola and Pallava Dynasties. The bronze gallery in the museum houses the images of Indian goddesses and gods with a unique collection of temple lamps.

Entry fee:

• For children – ₹5.00/-
• For Adults – ₹10.00/-
• For Foreign Nationals – ₹50.00/-

Timing: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Closed on Monday).

Location: Saint Louis Street, Opposite to Raj Nivas, Puducherry – 605001.

Closure

I hope, we provided all the necessary info about the Rock beach for you. If you are planning a trip to Pondicherry, just give a visit to the Promenade or Rock beach. We assure that you’ll definitely mesmerize with the scenic nature of the beach. Bon-Voyage!

If you still looking for any assistance, kindly leave a comment below 🙂