Tushar K.
Google
1 star (Beach is 5 star BTW)
This is specifically for the beach safety management – the lifeguards and how they handle things. I'll break it into two parts: what happened to me, and some simple ideas to make it fair for everyone without killing the fun.
**Part 1: What I went through**
We got to Patnem and saw people already in the water, with lifeguards on duty blowing whistles if anyone went too far out. Fair enough, safety first.
We were staying right on the beach, so we just walked out from our hotel and hopped in. It's one of those gradual beaches where the water stays shallow for ages – no sudden drop-offs. We were literally knee-deep, super close to the shore, splashing around with my 13-year-old nephew. But the lifeguard from the next hotel over (sitting in his little shack) starts whistling like crazy, yelling for us to move right in front of him. There was a foreign family and a couple already there, and we wanted our space – that's half the reason people come to Patnem, for a bit of peace. I shifted a little closer, but he kept at it. As soon as we moved more closer, the other group left. Ruined their vibe for sure. Everyone needs space specially with wife and kids around.
Next morning, around 7:30, I went out alone. Beach was empty for swimming – just walkers and lifeguards patrolling on their e-bikes. Figured I'd finally have a quiet dip. Stayed knee-deep again, so close I had to sit or lie down to even get wet. Waves were a tad rougher than usual for Patnem, but growing up in Chennai, they felt normal to me. Still, remembering yesterday, I played it safe – maybe 15 feet from where the water hits the sand.
Lifeguard comes right up and says, "See the waves?" I told him yeah, that's why I'm just here in knee-deep, having fun. He goes, "Waves can pull you in." I pointed out I'm basically on the beach, not risking anything. He repeats there's a 3-day alert and no one should go in. I get the concern, but I'm not neck-deep or anything stupid. He wouldn't let up, so I just headed back to the hotel. We were only there two days anyway. Their worries are legit (rip currents, whatever), but the way they enforce it feels overkill and inconsistent.
**Part 2: How to balance safety with letting tourists actually enjoy the beach**
When there's a full ban (like monsoon or that morning's "alert"):
1. Use those digital boards at both ends of the beach – the ones already scrolling warnings. Just flash a clear message: "Sea entry prohibited until further notice."
2. Make every beachfront hotel put out big, movable signs right in front saying the same thing. Lifeguards tell hotels when to set them up and take them down. Boom – everyone knows without asking, no confusion for locals, Indians, or foreigners.
Lifeguards can patrol on bikes, no need for guys stuck in every shack whistling nonstop. Less work, more rest for them, and way fewer people ignore it because the rule's obvious.
When swimming's allowed but limited depth:
Just string floating ropes or buoys out to mark the safe zone. Whistle only at folks who cross it. Everyone else chills without getting hassled every five minutes.
My issue wasn't safety – it was zero clear rules that apply to all. Communicate properly, and problems solved.
If this rings true for you, hit that Like button so comment climbs higher and maybe catches the eye of beach management to spark some real policy tweaks!
