16 Fun Things to do at Trincomalee, Sri Lanka
Trincomalee is a small beach town located in the northeast of Sri Lanka. It is well known for its blue water and crystal clear beaches as well as for the simple Lankan village life. If you’re planning a trip to Trincomalee, here is a list of things to do while in the beach town.
Table of Contents
Walk around Trincomalee
The best way to explore the place is on foot and here in Trincomalee, everything is within walking distance. It’s a great way to meet the locals and get a first-hand feel of the place.
Experience a homestay
Living with a family in a homestay is always a more preferred way of backpacking. With so many homestay options at various budget levels, this is by far the single most important thing to do for a more enriching experience while in the town.
Shiva temple
If not for the religious sentiment then definitely for the view of the Indian Ocean, this is an absolute must. It’s located at a short distance from the bus stand and a tuk-tuk ride is the best way to reach.
Dutch Fort
The Dutch Fort also more commonly known as Fort Ferdic which today is more like an entrance gate with Dutch construction. You’ll need to cross the first entrance which is also a military base while on your way to the Koneswaram Hindu temple which is located on top of a hill inside the premises of this Dutch Fort.
Pigeon island snorkelling
Located around a kilometre off the shore, the island can only be reached by boat. This is a beautiful white sand island beach which has crystal clear water. The marine life inside is worth going for an underwater exploration using your snorkelling gear. There are plenty of local operators who can arrange for this day trip
Dolphin watching
The beaches at Trincomalee are well known for dolphin spotting which happens deep in the ocean. If you don’t mind spending, it is surely worth going to get a glimpse of this beautiful animal.
Deep-sea fishing
So if hardcore deep sea fishing is on your bucket list, then this is the place for you. You can either enroll with a local operator for a more organised trip. Or if you really want to do it like real fishermen, then talk to one of the many that you will find chilling at the beach. You will definitely manage to crack a deal with them.
Jet-ski
Yes, for the adventure junkies, there is the jet ski option and it’s honestly not a bad one. Compared to other places in Sri Lanka, you’ll get a much better deal at the beaches in Trincomalee. As tourism is at its very initial stage, this makes for an excellent reason to go for one and enjoy the ride at a really good deal. But then again, this all depends on your bargaining skills.
Sunrise at the beach
If you’re a morning person, then consider going for the sunrise. You’ll get to see the transition from darkness to light and at the same time observe a lot of hustle and bustle along the beach. This is since most of the fishermen will be returning back to the coast with their catch of the day.
Nilaveli beach
Nilaveli is another beach which is located roughly 15 kms north of the city centre. This beach is located even future away from Uppuveli. Nilaveli is an army base that hasn’t changed anything about the place. The long white sand beach is a great place to visit and is far less crowded as compared to any other along with the same cost.
Uppuveli beach
Uppuveli beach is located around 6 km s north of the city centre at Trincomalee. The best way to reach this beach is by taking a bus which will drop you off at the main road. From there, you can ask the locals to guide you to the beach. There are plenty of beach shacks, restaurants, guest houses and homestays along the beach coast. The village by the beach is a really nice place to stay the night and spend your time unwinding by the beach.
Rent a scooter
If you’re planning on staying for more than two nights, then it’s better to cut a deal with a scooter rental shop and use it to travel around the city. It’s a more convenient and economical way of getting around and you’ll save a lot of time. Plenty of scooter rental shops are available all over the place.
Catch crabs
Uppuveli beach has a lot of crabs of all sizes roaming around on the soft sand. If you are bored and want something fun to do, then try catching a crab. This activity will surely wake you up from your sleep and get you active for the remainder of the day.
Spot the deer
At the entrance of the Koneswaram temple, you’ll generally spot a herd of friendly deer being fed fruits by locals and tourists alike. It’s fun feeding them fruits with your hands and is kind of a good karma thing to do while out there.
Stay in a beach cabana
Arguably the best place to stay while at the beach is to be pitched right on the beach in a cabana. These cabanas vary from a range of basic with just a bed, bulb and charging points to a few which even have air conditioning. If you’re planning on staying near the beach, then this is definitely an option worth checking out.
Interact with the locals
This is a must if you want to have an even better time around the beach. The locals know the best spots to chill and eat. Plus a conversation with one will reveal more than what a YouTube documentary speaks about the civil war. Nearly everyone above the age of 25 has a story about the war.
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