Pondy Marina

 The Puducherry government has decided to develop the Vambakeerappalayam beach near the lighthouse into a tourist spot and named it ‘Pondy Marina’.

Pondy Marina' is the right place. A relaxing beach front, away from the town's usual hustle and bustle, is located just 1.5 km from the Rock beach at Dubrayanpet in Vambakeerapalayam hamlet.

This is a new beach front near the new lighthouse named 'Pondy Marina' that has come up to provide leisure in the old French town of Puducherry. It has been developed into an 'activity zone with food court having tensile roofing' by the Tourism department. One can enjoy the sea, surfing the whole day and later come to Pondy Marina and relish good food and relax.

The infrastructure has been constructed under the centrally sponsored 'Swadesh Darshan' scheme by the Ministry of Tourism at an investment of Rs 5 crore. This is part of the project to develop seven theme-based beaches in Puducherry to attract more tourists, at a cost of Rs 44 crore provided by the Central ministry. At present, four beaches are being developed. The Pondy Marina beach at Dubrayanpet has a food based theme, while the one being developed at Chinna Veerampattinam is on leisure, the ancient Greco-roman site of Arikamedu beach is on boat riding and Chunambar beach will have water sports theme. 

At the Dubrayanpet beach, 34 shops have been constructed in food courts style. It is having elevated deck and steps. The area has been landscaped, roads have been laid and high mast lights have been provided illuminate the place. At present there is no public transport but with just 1.5 km distance from the main town, it is easily reachable by any form of hired transport or own vehicles.

Pondy marina had a separate park for children playing and some other activities like horse riding, beach volleyball, jet ski riding, beach car riding and to conduct event

It has a separate place for conducting functions and events like exhibition  parties product launch, lions club meeting, rotary fellowship and live shows.