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Sri Lanka · City guide

East Coast

5
places

Things to do in East Coast (Sri Lanka): Nilaveli Beach, Koneswaram Temple, Trincomalee. Prices, opening times and the author’s tips.

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What to see

Nilaveli Beach
Photo: Anton 17, CC BY-SA 4.0

🏖Nilaveli Beach

A long beach of fine white sand and calm sea north of Trincomalee. From May to September it's one of the best places on the island to swim.

Price Beach free

Insider tip The east coast season runs from April to September; in winter there are storms and closed hotels. Pigeon Island is a 15–20-minute boat ride away.

Koneswaram Temple, Trincomalee
Photo: Pierre André Leclercq, CC BY-SA 4.0

🛕Koneswaram Temple, Trincomalee

A Hindu temple to Shiva on the edge of Swami Rock above the ocean. In season you can spot whales from the cliff, and spotted deer wander the road through the old fort.

Price Free, donations welcome

Insider tip Shoes off at the entrance; men are sometimes asked to remove shirts in the inner hall. Come for the evening puja around 4–5 pm. Don't feed the deer or monkeys.

Arugam Bay
Photo: Dennis Sylvester Hurd, CC0

🏄Arugam Bay

The east coast surf capital: when the south is stormy, it is high season here.

Secret spot: details and the map pin are in the full guide

Pigeon Island, Trincomalee
Photo: AntanO, CC BY-SA 4.0

🐠Pigeon Island, Trincomalee

Reef sharks and turtles 20 minutes by boat from Nilaveli beach.

Secret spot: details and the map pin are in the full guide

Pasikudah
Photo: Imaadwhd, CC BY-SA 3.0

🌊Pasikudah

A lagoon where you can walk a hundred metres out and the water's still waist-deep.

Secret spot: details and the map pin are in the full guide

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