Trincomalee Sri Lanka Holidays
Trincomalee
Holidays
Sri Lanka's finest east coast beaches — Nilaveli, whale sharks, diving and the most beautiful natural harbour in Asia
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Flight Time
10–11h from London, then 5h drive from Colombo
Best Time
May to September (dry season on east coast)
Country
Sri Lanka
Suppliers
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Trincomalee Holiday Guide
Trincomalee is the finest beach destination on the east coast of Sri Lanka — Nilaveli beach, Pigeon Island Marine Park, whale shark encounters and the most authentic beach experience in Sri Lanka.
The east coast dry season (May to September) is the opposite of the south coast, making Trincomalee an excellent destination when the south coast is wet. The Koneswaram Temple is one of the most sacred Hindu sites in Sri Lanka.
The best time to visit is May to September. We search across Travelpack, Emirates Holidays and JTA Holidays for the best deals.
Popular Areas in Trincomalee
Average Temperatures
Jan
27°C
Feb
28°C
Mar
30°C
Apr
31°C
May
31°C
Jun
30°C
Jul
29°C
Aug
29°C
Sep
29°C
Oct
28°C
Nov
27°C
Dec
27°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Trincomalee
The pristine beaches, whale sharks and unspoilt east coast atmosphere that make Trincomalee Sri Lanka's most rewarding beach destination.
Nilaveli Beach
Nilaveli is the finest beach on the east coast of Sri Lanka — a long, beautiful stretch of white sand with calm, clear water, excellent snorkelling and a relaxed, unspoilt atmosphere. The beach is less developed than the south coast resorts and has a more natural character. The water is calm and clear from May to September.
Pigeon Island Marine Park
Pigeon Island Marine Park, accessible by boat from Nilaveli (15 minutes), is the finest snorkelling destination in Sri Lanka — a protected marine park with extraordinary coral gardens, blacktip reef sharks, turtles and abundant tropical fish. The snorkelling is exceptional and the island has a beautiful beach.
Whale Shark Encounters
Whale sharks are regularly encountered in the waters off Trincomalee between May and September. Boat trips from Nilaveli offer snorkelling with whale sharks — the gentle giants are attracted by the plankton-rich waters of the east coast. The experience is extraordinary and the whale sharks are habituated to snorkellers.
Koneswaram Temple
The Koneswaram Temple is one of the most sacred Hindu temples in Sri Lanka — a beautiful temple on a dramatic headland overlooking the natural harbour of Trincomalee. The temple is one of the Pancha Ishwarams (five sacred Shiva temples) of Sri Lanka and is an important pilgrimage site. The views from the headland are extraordinary.
Uppuveli Beach
Uppuveli beach, 5km from Trincomalee town, is a beautiful, relaxed beach with a wide range of guesthouses and restaurants. The beach is less developed than Nilaveli and has a more local, authentic character. The snorkelling from the beach is good and the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly.
Natural Harbour
Trincomalee has one of the finest natural harbours in the world — a deep, sheltered bay that has been strategically important for centuries. The harbour was a major British naval base during World War II. The views of the harbour from the Koneswaram Temple headland are extraordinary.
Diving
Trincomalee has excellent diving — the reefs off the east coast are in good condition and the marine life is abundant. The dive centres at Nilaveli and Uppuveli offer PADI courses and guided dives. The diving is particularly good from May to September when the water is calm and clear.
Seafood
Trincomalee has excellent fresh seafood — the fishing community provides a daily supply of fresh fish, lobster, crab and prawns. The beach restaurants at Nilaveli and Uppuveli serve excellent grilled seafood at very reasonable prices. The local Sri Lankan food is also excellent.
Explore Trincomalee on the Map
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
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