Tricomalee Sri Lanka | Things to do in Trincomalee

Overview

Port City on the East coast of Sri Lanka with Highlighted beautiful beaches and attraction

Trincomalee is a port city on the east coast of Sri Lanka. The city is located on a peninsula, which divides the inner and outer harbours.Trincomalee is an anglicized version of the Tamil word Tirukonamalai (which means “lord of the sacred hill”); it is a hill situated in the end of a natural land formation that resembles an arc. It is one of the main where Tamil is spoken at large scale. Historically referred to as Gokanna or Gokarna it has been a sea port that has played a major role in maritime and international trading history of Sri Lanka.

The Bay of Trincomalee provides security and is openly accessible to all types of sea crafts in all weathers. The beaches are used for recreational purposes such as surfing, scuba diving, fishing and whale watching. The city is renowned for housing the largest Dutch fort in Sri Lanka. It is home to major Sri Lankan naval bases and a Sri Lankan Air Force base.

Activities

Nilaveli Beach

For years Nilaveli has been considered one of Sri Lanka’s most perfect beaches. It certainly has that feeling of paradise-island remoteness, with plenty of bending palms swaying over the golden sand. Good it may be, but in reality things aren’t quite as heavenly as they seem here. It’s not far from the recent front line and soldiers are everywhere, which kind of spoils the happy holidays’ mood.

Trincomalee Harbour

Trincomalee harbour is the second best natural harbour in the world and the available water and land area is about 10 times as much as the Port of Colombo. Trincomalee was tentatively identified to cater for bulk and break bulk cargo and port related industrial activities including heavy industries, tourism and agriculture etc.

Kanniya Hot Springs

After the tragic civil war flocks of tourists are visiting the Kanniya Hot Springs in beautiful Trincomalee. Also believed to be one of the seven wonders of Sri Lanka. It is believed that these hot waters have medicinal properties that can cure many skin diseases and has the healing power for arthritis and rheumatis.

Fort Frederick Area

Built by the Portuguese, Fort Frederick was rebuilt by the Dutch. Today, British insignias crown the tunnel-like gateway that pierces the fort’s massively stout walls. Parts of the fortress are under military jurisdiction, and anyone entering will have to undergo a stringent security check. Despite this, a stroll up to the big new standing Buddha statue at the Gokana Temple and on up to Swami Rock, a 130m-high cliff nicknamed Lovers’ Leap, and the revered Koneswaram Kovilis highly worthwhile.

Dutch Bay

Right in the centre of Trinco is the attractive and picturesque Dutch Bay. Swimming is possible despite sometimes dangerous undertows. However, it’s more a place for strolling, and ice-cream sellers cater to the evening passeggiata.