13 x Things To Do in Trincomalee
Last Updated On June 18, 2023
Trincomalee, a coastal town with a rich historical legacy, holds significance and pride in trade, marine, and religious matters. Trincomalee has long been a prominent resort port city that attracted numerous sea traders and explorers due to its deep water natural harbor - a legend of the past and one of the greatest in the world. It is located on Sri Lanka's east coast, 265 kilometers from the bustling city of Colombo.
Photo by Rasika Kahandagamage on Unsplash
Trincomalee has the country's largest Dutch Fort, Fort Frederick, which houses the sacred Hindu temple Koneswaram Kovil. Although the Portuguese demolished the ancient Kovil, it was recently restored on the highest point of Swami Rock, a cliff within the fort. It is named after Lord Shiva. Many of the artifacts stored by the original Kovil were recovered and returned underwater. Trincomalee was a British naval post during WWII and is presently home to important Sri Lankan naval bases and a Sri Lankan Air Force installation.
Within walking distance of the Koneswaram Kovil is Lovers' Leap, a 350-foot plunge that attracts visitors due to the romantic history behind its name — a British maiden falling off the cliff after losing her boyfriend. Another popular attraction is the old Kanniya hot springs, dating back to the fabled King Ravana period. The water in these springs is thought to have healing properties.
Pigeon Island, located a kilometer off the shore of Nilaveli beach, is one of Sri Lanka's maritime national parks. The island was once utilized as a shooting range during the Colonial era. It was hanged into a sanctuary in 1963 and designated a national park in 2003. Here are the list of best things to do in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka in 2022.
1. Trincomalee Harbour
2. Fort Frederick
Fort Frederick dates from the Portuguese period in Sri Lanka, but many of the buildings were reconstructed or redesigned by the Dutch and, later, the British. The Sri Lankan military occupies most of the fort (along with herds of spotted deer), but you can explore the ancient fortress and admire its most historical buildings on foot. Keep an eye out for the Georgian-style Wellesly House.
3. Nilaveli Beach
4. Pigeon Island
5. Uppuveli Beach
6. The Kanniya Hot Water Springs
7. Whale and Dolphin watching
When it comes to whale watching, Trincomalee is often mentioned as the best destination in Sri Lanka. On a whale-watching tour, you may see blue whales, dolphins, and, in some cases, sperm whales.
Trincomalee's whale watching season lasts from late March to early September. Did you know that whale watching in Sri Lanka is possible all year? The season in Mirissa begins in December and lasts until April. Sri Lanka offers approximately ten months of whale watching each year.
8. Kuchchaveli Beach
9. Koneswaram Kovil
A magnificent temple dedicated to Lord Shiva stands 400 feet above the sea at the southern end of the peninsula, separating the inner and outer Trincomalee harbors. It is sacred land for Hindu devotees and was referred to as the "Temple of a Thousand Pillars" by European writers of the 18th and 19th centuries.
The temple is located in Fort Frederick on Swarmi Rock, a promontory with stunning views of Trincomalee Harbour. We recommend wearing (or bringing) socks and covering your knees and shoulders if you visit the temple.