Covelong is a nice beach between Chennai and Mahabalipuram and a small charming fishing settlement. It was originally a port built by Saadat Ali, Nawab of Carnativ and it was here that the French General Labourdonnais landed his troops in 1746. Later it was taken by clive in 1752 and destroyed. The beach is separated from the mainland by the canal running from Chennai to Mahabalipuram.