The distribution of natural gamma emitting 238U, 232Th and 40K radionuclides in beach sediments along north east coast of Tamilnadu, India has been carried out using a NaI(Tl) gamma ray spectrometric technique. The mean activity concentrations of measured radionuclides w ere compared with other literature values. The absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose equivalent, external hazard index and representative level index were calculated and compared w ith internationally recommended values.