Trincomalee has some of the most picturesque and scenic beaches found in Sri Lanka, relatively unspoilt and clean.
Trincomalee also known as Gokanna, is the administrative headquarters of the Trincomalee District and major resort port city of Eastern Province, Sri Lanka. Located on the east coast of the island overlooking the Trincomalee Harbour, 113 miles south of Jaffna and 69 miles north of Batticaloa, Trincomalee has been one of the main centres of Tamil language speaking culture on the island for over two millennia.
Beaches
Trincomalee has some of the most picturesque and scenic beaches found in Sri Lanka, relatively unspoilt and clean. The area is famous for bathing and swimming, owing to the relative shallowness of the sea, allowing one to walk out over a hundred meters into the sea without the water reaching the chest. Whale watching is a common pastime in the seas off Trincomalee, and successful sightings are on the rise with the increase of tourism in the area. Trinco beaches offers many advantures as:
– Variety of Watersport
– Whale and dolphin watching
– Fishing experience
– Snorkeling and diving
Snorkeling at Pigeon Island
Pigeon Island is located around 1 km away from the Nilaveli beach. This is consists of two islands, one is small and other one is larger in size. This island got it’s name because of the Rock Pigeons live over there. In year 2003 Pigeon island was designated as a nation park in Sri Lanka. Earlier it was a sanctuary.
This is one of the best places to see corals, snorlkeling or diving.
The magic of Pigeon Island is a 30 minute boat ride away. The reef here is home to over 100 coral species and about 300 species of fish. This is where many an observer would find both the juvenile and adult Black Tip Reef Shark as well as a variety of turtle. Pigeon Island gets its name from the countless number of Rock Pigeons that use it as their breeding ground.
Historical sites
Trincomalee is sacred to Sri Lankan Tamils and Hindus around the world. The city has many Hindu sites of historical importance. These sites are sacred to the Hindus and some Buddhists also worship at these Hindu sites.
Prominent sites include the Koneswaram temple compound, its Bhadrakali temple on Konesar Road, and the Salli Muthumariamman Kovil of Uppuveli beach in the Trincomalee suburb of Sambalativu.
The Koneswaram Temple
The Koneswaram Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated mainly to Lord Shiva. It is one of the five Sivan temples found on the island. It is believed that the temple has been there for more than 2,500 years now.
Hot Wells
Hot Springs of Kanniya located four kilometres from Trincomalee has a history that spans over 1000 years.
What is remarkable about this location is the fact that it consists of seven hot wells which has water of varying temperature.
It is therefore a major attraction among tourists and locals. This is a place you must visit if you come to trinco.
