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Things to Do in Pondicherry

Located on the kaleidoscopic coastlines of the Bay of Bengal, Pondicherry also proves to be a blessed scuba diving destination in the entire country! The azure and clear waters around this union territory offer astounding opportunities to take a dive into the mesmeric under-water world and discover its magical beauty.

One of the wonderful things to do in Pondicherry, scuba diving is a common trait among the locals and is now gaining immense popularity among the tourists. Conducted under the guidance of expert PADI certified divers, this adventure sport in Pondicherry is, in fact, a not to be missed activity.

Most of the diving sites in Pondicherry ranges from 5m to 40m and proves to be ideal for the novice as well as the expert divers. Moreover, the clarity of the water bed and the wide range of aquatic life make these dives an extremely exciting affair. 

Location: Some of the popular diving sites in Pondy includes 4 Corners, Temple Reef, Coral Shark Reef, Arvind's Wall and The Hole. 

Best Time to visit: October and November are the best months for this activity.

Cost: INR 7499

Click Here To Book: Best Scuba Diving Tours in Pondicherry

Without peace, serenity and brotherhood, the world will cease to exist! On the path to attain these elements, we should always purify our souls and explore the real meaning of life. The more we discover ourselves, the more meaningful life will become for us! And in order to achieve this divine stage, we all need peace of mind, relaxation and unity.

Auroville in Pondicherry is one such place that will help your mind to relax and explore the real meaning of life. It is a place, where caste, creed and colour are of no importance; everyone is welcomed here with an open heart.

With a motto to spread progressive harmony, this township in Pondicherry is known for the peace, serenity and devotion that can soothe your mind, help you in bonding with other members and make you realise the value of unity.

A must in the list of things to do in Pondicherry, a visit to Auroville will not only allow you to enjoy its tranquil ambience or be a part of its progressive harmony but will also encourage you to be a part of it. Also, within the ‘Matrimandir’ that is located centrally in this township, you can also indulge in meditation and find your mind's consciousness.

Location: Viluppuram District, Tamil Nadu.

Best Time to visit: All year.

Cost: INR 1499

Popular Reads:  Best Beaches in Pondicherry

After a blissful heritage walk through the quaint lanes of Pondicherry, a city tour is highly recommended. As the city covers an area of around 90km, this amazing tour around the city might take you 8-12 hours to complete this amazing tour.

Unlike the heritage walk, a city tour will take you through how Pondy's cityscape has changed in the last few decades; the mixture of culture and modernization is the main attraction of this tour. Beginning at around 09:30 AM, a city tour will take you across the length and breadth of the city.

Join these tours, visit the French Colonies in the old part of the town and some of the most gorgeous cathedrals, and get acquainted with the bucolic charm and appeal around. The tour will also introduce you with the authentic Tamil and French cuisines around the city; enjoy and relinquish over a gastronomic sojourn.

Also, by the end of your Pondicherry city tour, you can visit some of the major tourist attraction points like Botanical Garden, Government Museum and Panchavatti Anchanaya. There exist beautiful resorts in Pondicherry to make your vacation worth remembering for. Go and check out these resorts.

Location: Pondicherry Tamil Nadu, India.

Best Time to Visit: Throughout the Year

Cost: INR 490

Explore Now: Best Resorts in Pondicherry for an amazing stay

For those adrenaline junkies who love to catch the wind and glide through the mighty waves, surfing proves to be a much sought after activity. A must to have experience in the list of things in Pondicherry, surfing take these water sports lovers far into the turquoise waters of the ocean and have a tryst with the gentle wind and play with the waves and it is one of the famous and best adventure sports in Pondicherry.

Paradise and Serenity beaches in Pondicherry, with their playful waves and gentle wind proves to be two of the ideal spots for the surfers. Among all the Pondicherry things to do, surfing is indeed the most enthralling experience an adventure junky can enjoy in this scenic union territory.

Come Pondy, get your surf-board and hit the waves! Once you have balanced yourself on the board, catch the wind and manoeuvre through the waves to get your desired dose of adrenaline! 

Location: Kottakuppam, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu 605101

Best time to visit: All around the year.

Cost: INR 1200

Best Offers On: Pondicherry Tour Packages From Chennai

Yet another option for the adventure sports in Pondicherry, boating can also be called as one of the most delightful things in Pondicherry! However, for those who love the blue waters, but prefer to discover their charm in a steady and playful way, the Chunnambar Backwaters serve as the ideal spot.

Located around 7km from the heart of Pondy and on the way to Cuddalore, Chunnambar Boat House is one of the most popular club that offers  boat rides along the silent  backwaters. Cossetted by lush and evergreen thickets, boating along this large expanse of tranquil backwaters has a unique and unmatched charm.

On your next Pondy visit, make it to Chunnambar and plunge into a pedal boat and discover the beauty of the backwaters as they makes their way to the mighty Bay of Bengal; motor boats are also available with the boating house.

In addition to a splendid boating experience, you can also indulge in nature photography and be a shutterbug for the day. For the nature lovers, these rides also offer an amazing opportunity to explore the lush beauty around the vicinity and also spot some of the exotic birds dwelling in this region.

Location: Chunnambar, Pondicherry 

Best Time to visit: September to January.

Cost: INR 225

Also Checkout & Book: Pondicherry Tour Packages From Cochin

Though the expanded coastline of Pondicherry satiates the requirements of most of the water adventure lovers, this do not sound enough for some of the thrill-seekers. In addition to thrill and adventure, they also yearn for luxury while sailing and this is one of the best adventure sports in Pondicherry.

Well, for these classes of thrill lovers, Pondicherry offers a wide and charismatic ranges of yachts. Decked with almost all the luxury and comfort, these vessels usually come with a high-powered engine that ensures high speed and grooviness on the water.

A lively combination of speed, elegance and comfort, yachting has now become one of the most enjoyed things in Pondicherry and attracts a large number of tourists visiting this pictorial union territory.

Location: Promenade Beach, Pondicherry 

Best Time to visit: September to January

Cost: INR 1750 onwards

Must Checkout: Pondicherry Tour Packages From Mangalore

Like most of the other adventure sports in Pondicherry, kayaking and canoeing are two of the activities that do not require much of hard and fast training or an expertise. With proper guidance and instructions from an expert trainer, even a first-timer can manoeuvre these vessels and embark on a delightful ride over the water.

And when it comes to things to do in Pondicherry, these two water sports should not be missed at any cost. Though considered as an enthralling water sport, it can also enjoyed by the beginners; the thrill quotient depends on the roughness of the water and the rapids.

If you are one of the kayaking or canoeing enthusiasts, make it to the scenic Karaikal Beach in Pondicherry and join for an amazing experience with both of these activities. Visited by a large number of tourists, this sandy retreat is an ideal destination that makes these two Pondicherry things to do a must to have experience!

Location: Karaikal Beach, Pondicherry

Best Time to visit: From January to March or from September to December.

Cost: INR 3500

Recommended Reads: Best Things to do in Pondicherry for some adventure

Experience an enthralling adventure with a boat ride at Chunnambar boat house in Pondicherry for a relaxing getaway. This idyllic place is a serene destination with natural scenery for sunbathing, chilling out and enjoy a wonderful vista of sunset for adventure sports in Pondicherry.

Along with boat ride, this place is also great for hiking, picnicking and camping in the beautiful backwaters of Pondicherry.

Location: National Highway 45A, Near Water Sports Complex, Nonankuppam, Pondicherry

Best Time to visit: One should visit Chunnambar boat house from January to March or from September to December.

Cost: INR 300

Also Checkout and Book: Pondicherry Tour Packages From Visakhapatnam

For a peaceful sojourn in Pondicherry, you must visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and seek blessings from the 'Mother'. Set up by Sri Aurobindo, a renowned spiritual leader; this ashram is a home for all who want to attain mental peace and yearns to discover inner consciousness.

Though last on the list, a visit to Aurobindo Ashram is a must while touring around Pondy. The pleasant and bucolic the ambience around the premises, the silence that dwells in its every corner and the various meditation programmes will surely make it for a soothing experience.

Location: National Highway 45A, Near Water Sports Complex, Nonankuppam, Pondicherry

Best Time to visit: All year

Cost: Free

Fringed with a diverse range of history and culture, Pondicherry makes it to the list of best historical places in the country. No matter in which corner of Pondy you be, you will always find yourself engulfed with its heart-warming locales and diversity!

Explore this gorgeous French Colony of India with a heritage walk through lively marketplaces, silent yet colourful lanes and witness how life thrives in this region. During the course of your walk, interact with the locals and get an opportunity to have a glimpse of their daily life.

Also, while strolling around, you can witness how perfectly the French essence of Pondicherry got blended with the aura of Tamil lifestyle and cultures. A visit to Indian Square in Vaishali Street will offer you the best picture of how these two cultures embrace each other.

On a whole, in the list of the things to do in Pondicherry, a heritage the walk is the best and convenient way to know more and get acquainted with this rustic union territory.

Location: Vaishali Street, Pondicherry 

Best Time to visit: All-day

Cost: Free

Must Read: Places to Visit in Pondicherry to explore to the fullest

Blessed with an amazing coastline, Pondicherry is one of the most popular beach destinations in India. Unlike the other beach destinations in the country, beaches here are known for their tranquil ambiance and tranquillity. For the beach lovers, a visit to these beaches will not only make their holiday memorable but will also allow them to indulge in an array of fun-filled and exciting activities

Paradise Beach, Auroville Beach, Serenity Beach, Karaikal Beach, Promanade Beach, and Mahe Beach are some of the ideal retreats that attract most of the beach lovers visiting Pondicherry. While some of these beaches are often thronged by the tourists, few of them showcases a tranquil ambiance and are less crowded. 

However, irrespective of the beach you visit, you will always be promised with an array of fun-frolic and exciting moments! Swimming, beach volleyball, cricket, kayaking, boating, canoeing and fishing are some of the most commonly enjoyed activities around the beaches of Pondicherry.

Location: Beaches of Pondicherry

Best time to visit: October and November are the best months for these activities

Cost: Depends on the type of water activity you opt for.