I shifted to Chennai 4 months back and in last 4 months I have been visited Marina beach 2 times.
In morning time, you can easily see the sunrise and crowd is very happening there in morning. But if you want to feel the water there, then don’t go there, the water is very much dirty. Even the beach is not that much clean. So many other beaches are there having good water.
I took participation in marathon "Ridley for run" and it happened there in the morning time and it was a good experience for me.
For once, you can visit this place but try to visit in morning only as you can see the sunrise also.