East coast Sri Lanka

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The tea plantation-covered highlands of Kandy and the port city of Galle in southern Sri Lanka are attracting an increasing number of tourists. Sri Lanka is rapidly gaining a reputation as one of the world’s busiest travel destinations. What is our recommendation? Before the rest of the world follows suit, avoid the crowds and head to the east coast of Sri Lanka.

1. The beaches are the primary attraction for visitors to Sri Lanka’s eastern coast.

Although there are an increasing number of resorts in some areas (Passekudah Beach, north of Batticaloa, for example), the eastern coast of Sri Lanka is still home to a lareg number of beach holiday lovers and teh traevllers enjoy the vast stretches of pristine white sand. Your favourite beach will likely be empty, with the possible exception of an occasional crab. Kalkudah Beach is one of our favourites, but we also revere the coastline near Kuchaveli, with its palm-fringed bays and desolate dunes.

2. Uncrowded Beaches in the East coast Sri Lanka

Some portions of the eastern coast have been designated for future development (typically through the establishment of Special Economic Zones, or SEZs), whereas other portions of the coast are uninhabited. Included are the beaches north of Trincomalee that were not developed during the civil war because they were on the front lines. The beaches of Uppuveli and Nilaveli as well as Pigeon Island National Park, a protected area with a few carefully regulated designated dive sites, are additional undiscovered attractions worth visiting.
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3. Wildlife on the East Coast of Sri Lanka

Off the east coast, large pods of up to 1,000 dolphins are frequently spotted, so don’t be surprised if you spot whales and dolphins just offshore. By using a snorkel, you can observe gigantic rays, sea turtles, and reef sharks without being a certified scuba diver. There are a wide variety of animals living there, not just aquatic ones. The beautiful Arugam Bay, situated near the eastern coast’s southernmost point, is an ideal departure point for excursions to Yala East National Park and Kudumbigala Forest Hermitage, a renowned avian sanctuary.

4. Enjoy Beach Life on the East coast Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is quickly becoming one of the world’s premier diving destinations, with outstanding diving locations all along its eastern coastline. May and October are the best times of the year to travel to Sri Lanka’s east coast and dive. Due to its shallow waters, which are ideal for exploring the nearby wreckage, Nilaveli Beach is popular with both divers and snorkelers. Here is also Pigeon Island National Park, renowned for its vibrant corals, reef sharks, and turtles. Trincomalee is loved by scuba divers due to its enormous natural harbour, which is the largest in the world. Here are numerous shipwrecks, some of which contain the remains of British fighter aircraft. Passekudah, which contains additional shipwrecks, is another superb snorkelling location.

5. Enjoy delicious food

This region of Sri Lanka is known for its seafood, which should come as no surprise. Expect aromatic seafood dishes with regional ingredients such as mackerel, green chilies, mustard, turmeric, and coconut. The coexistence of three major ethnic groups, Sinhala, Muslims, and Tamils, contributes to the delicious diversity of the cuisine of Eastern Sri Lanka. Don’t neglect to sample thosai, which are mouthwatering lentil pancakes that are particularly well-liked in the nation’s east and north. Whether it’s the flaky paratha flatbreads or the freshly cooked roti made with grated coconut, flour, water, and salt, all of the breads are equally delicious.
For more information on Sri Lankan cuisine, see our list of must-try dishes.

6. The history of East coast Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s history is complicated. During the civil conflict, the eastern coast was divided between government- and LTTE-controlled areas. After being expelled in 2007, the former left devastated cities, villages, and once-thriving coastal resorts in their wake. This is one of the long-standing reasons for the lack of significant tourist attractions on Sri Lanka eastern coast. Although less significantly, the Dutch and Portuguese also left their mark. Fort Frederick in Trincomalee, constructed in the seventeenth century by the Portuguese, is one of the most impressive Dutch and Portuguese structures along the coast. Dutch Bay is also home to the intriguing Maritime and Naval History Museum, housed in a colonial-style building. Formerly, the Dutch Naval Commissioner resided in this mansion.

7. Religious Sites

Stunning mosques and sanctuaries are located on the east coast. An example of this is the Hindu Koneswaram temple in Dutch Bay, which rests precariously on a rocky promontory with an ocean view. Local fishermen pray to Mother Nature for protection at one of Sri Lanka’s most well-known shrines. Velgam Vehera Buddhist temple ruins are situated outside of Trincomalee. The structure, which was constructed in 992 AD, was demolished. The structure was then rebuilt with contributions from those who had caused its devastation.
Even though Colombo is the country’s capital, we’re using the Red Mosque, also known as the Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque, as a pretext to highlight one of the country’s most beautiful structures.

8. Surfing in the East coast Sri Lanka

Certainly, indeed. Sri Lanka could become the most popular new surfing destination in Asia over time (see our most recent post for details). When there is a monsoon in the west, the east is sunny, and vice versa for the west coast. April through October are the optimal months for hanging 10. Laidback Arugam Bay is the best site to surf in Sri Lanka, attracting both local and international pros. Stand-up paddleboarding has also become popular here.

9. Easy to reach

The eastern shore is becoming more accessible, which contributes to its growing popularity. This indicates that an increasing number of travel companies offer East Coast excursions. Travel agents offering everything from sailing tours to surf camps to entirely customised itineraries make the east coast of Sri Lanka more accessible than ever before.
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How to book a trips to Sri Lanka East Coast

How to book a trips to Sri Lanka East Coast A trip to Sri Lanka is available in many forms. The tourist can even book a Sri Lanka one-day tour to the east coast from many cultural triangle cities such as Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, and Dambulla. However, a one-day tour from Colombo to the east can be a daunting task due to the long distance to cover. The tourists might need to plan at least a 2-day Sri Lankan trip in order to visit the east coast of Sri Lanka from Colombo. Tour operators like Serendipity Tours organise Sri Lanka tour packages with inclusions of the east coast throughout the year. If you would like to book a Sri Lankan tour itinerary with the East Coast, please get in touch with us at [email protected], call us, or WhatsApp us at 0094774440977.

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