Things to Do in Trincomalee

In the coastal town of Trincomalee is the beautiful Fort Frederick which was built in the 17th century by the Portuguese and was later fully completed by the year 1624. The Fort has an exciting appeal to it as it was built on the Swami Rock-Konamamala which was formed by the debris and remains of the famous Hindu Koneswaram temple, which was also known as a temple of a thousand pillars.

Trincomalee is a great spot for not just diving but also for spotting whales and the diverse marine life the Indian Ocean offers. The whale watching season is from May to October, and July is the best time for spotting blue whales. Tourists can also spot sperm whales in the ocean here. Diving and swimming with whales is also an option if tourists can find a guide to accompany them.

Diamond hill is a reminder of the second world war, with remnants of a signal tower and a bunker offering a window into life at the harbour in the 1940s. Hiking up this hill named by the British provides access to these sights of an era long bygone. Hikers will enjoy the climb up the hill, with only rocks and trees for support.

Named after the rock pigeons that use it as a breeding island, Pigeon Island is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular marine parks. The island is also home to hundreds of coral and fish species, making it an excellent spot for snorkelling. The waters around the island are also home to the Hawksbill Turtle, the Green Turtle, and the Blacktip Reef Shark, among others.

Near Fort Frederick, the official residence of the Dutch Naval Commissioner has been renovated and converted into the Maritime and Naval History Museum. Exhibits on the ground floor cover Sri Lanka’s naval history all the way back to Marco Polo’s visit to Ceylon. In addition, the first floor displays interesting information regarding the local flora and fauna, including those on the nearby Pigeon Island.

One of six Commonwealth war cemeteries across Sri Lanka, Trincomalee British War Cemetery has gravestones of more than 300 soldiers. The Japanese had attacked Trincomalee port in 1942, and the cemetery includes graves of many who had lost their lives in this attack. With green grass and trees all around, the cemetery provides space to reflect on the deaths it is a reminder of.

Dutch Bay runs along the western edge of the town, which is the whole reason it is on this list: it faces the water at sunset rather than away from it. The promenade fills in the last hour of light with families, ice cream carts and vendors grilling crab and lobster, while the fishing boats sit drawn up on the sand. Swimming is possible, though the currents here are not gentle.

Coral Cove is a small sheltered bay near Ostenburg Point at the southern end of town, backed by rock rather than open sand, and it is somewhere to sit rather than to swim far out: the reef lies close in and the undertow past it is strong. Crab curry is what to order at the places behind the beach. An hour or two here goes naturally with Fort Frederick nearby.

With many locations around the city, divers of all levels can find something for themselves at Trincomalee. Nilaveli is home to shallow reefs and vibrant aquatic life, while Swami Rock offers drift diving. With the wreckage of H.M.S. Diomede and H.M.S. Hermes, divers keen on exploring have something to look forward to as well.

Only a few kilometres from Trincomalee, Nilaveli Beach, offers tourists a wide range of activities. Pigeon Island, just off the shore, is an excellent spot for snorkelling, while boat tours are another great way of exploring the waters of the Indian Ocean and spotting dolphins and whales. Nilaveli Beach is very clean, making it a great spot for sunbathing as well.

Pathirakali Amman Temple is a Hindu temple of the goddess Kali who is believed to be an incarnation of goddess Kali Amman located in Trincomalee which is in the eastern province of Sri Lanka. The temple is built in the classical Dravidian style of architecture which is similar to the temple styles found in South India.

The Kanniya Hot Springs is on the east coast of Sri Lanka in Trincomalee and includes a series of seven square shaped wells each with a depth of about four feet. The temperature of the water at these hot springs varies between wells, but the average temperature is warm to hot. These hot springs are an example of nature in its purest form where the water from the well is believed to have healing properties.