Trincomalee and The East Coast

In northeast Sri Lanka, the charming historic city of Trincomalee, locally known as Trinco, has miles of unspoilt white sandy beaches – rivalling those in the neighbouring Maldives – and looks out over the shimmering blue Indian Ocean.

A visit to Trincomalee offers the enticing prospect of lazy days by the beach whilst staying in a comfortable hotel, going on a whale and dolphin watching expedition, observing the magnificent marine life while snorkelling, and enjoying the tropical vistas. Trincomalee itself is well worth exploring. Highlights include a walk through the historic star-shaped Dutch-built Fort Frederick (1655), visiting the ancient Koneswaram Kovil (Temple of a Thousand Pillars) to see the colourful afternoon pooja, and exploring the markets on foot.

For history enthusiasts, we recommend an overnight excursion to Sober Island in Trincomalee’s famed deep-water harbour. The Sri Lankan Navy developed Sober Island between 1919 and 1922, and the island contains WWII gun positions, underground ammunition storage complexes, and other intriguing military legacies of the British colonial period.

To the south of Trincomalee, the small fishing village of Pasikudah Bay is renowned for its calm shallow waters and extensive coral reefs. It is home to the area’s most luxurious hotel – Uga Bay. Trincomalee and the East Coast are best visited between April and September, making them popular destinations during the spring and summer.