The Points South Point of View – The coast of Tamil Nadu offers miles of sandy beaches, this coastline is far less developed that the Kerala coast. There are at present few places to stay.
 | Ideal Beach Resort, Mahabalipuram - Situated about 1 ½ hours drive from Chennai, Ideal beach is one of the oldest resorts in Tamil Nadu. A good location for either starting or finishing a tour of Tamil Nadu. Situated beside a long sandy beach, the ocean facing cottages are best. The dining room is open air; swimming pool and Ayurvedic spa. A good budget resort for families. |
 | The Dune Pondicherry - Standard. This award winning eco resort is set in 35 acres of gardens, beside the Coromandel coast. The 62 bungalows are all slightly different, reflecting traditional and modern vernacular architecture. There is an excellent spa, pool, and restaurant serving food supplied by their own organic farm. A charitable trust runs a school and craft centre adjacent to the hotel. The Dune group belongs to the international Eco tourism club. A short drive from Pondicherry. |
The Andamans
The Andaman Islands lie in the bay of Bengal between India and Thailand. There are few places left in the world with untouched coral and thick forest that still runs down to the white sand beaches. The resort is set in the jungle thickets beside a beautiful white sand beach, called beach No 7 – one of the best beaches in Asia. Havelock island is part of the Ritchie archipelago, with excellent diving. January to March are the best months.
 | Barefoot at Havelock - Located in the Bay of Bengal, a two-hour flight from Chennai. Barefoot at Havelock is located on a beautiful tropical island with a pristine 2 km white sand beach. Excellent scuba diving and snorkelling is at nearby Ritchie's Archipelago. The accommodation is in thatched villas with verandas on a seven-acre resort that operates a strong environmental policy. A true taste of un-spoilt tropical paradise. |
 | Jalakara - A small boutique hotel with seven rooms, opened in 2016 on an overgrown banana and betel nut plantation. The property backs onto tropical rain forest and offers a place to truly un-plug - no wifi or tv, just the beautiful tropical surroundings, zero pollution, good food and beautiful beaches nearby. A true tropical hideaway. |
