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Your guide to the Island’s lesser-known coast

How to Plan the Perfect East Coast Itinerary in
Sri Lanka

19 June 2025
By Teardrop Hotels
Sri Lanka’s East Coast remains one of the island’s best-kept secrets. While the southern, central and tea country regions often steal the spotlight, the East is a mosaic of moments: sunlit seas, ancient temples, fragrant food and authentic coastal life encounters. It offers a different lens through which to see Sri Lanka – raw and deeply rewarding. Whether you're chasing sun-drenched shores or deep-rooted traditions, here are seven unforgettable ways to experience the East Coast of Sri Lanka.

Whale and Dolphin Watching

The deep waters off Trincomalee are one of the best places in Sri Lanka to encounter marine life. A morning boat trip into the calm Indian Ocean offers a rare opportunity to see majestic creatures like blue whales, sperm whales, and spinner dolphins in their natural habitat. The prime season for marine mammal sightings runs from March to October, with the best chance of spotting blue whales specifically between April and July.

Snorkelling

Snorkelling is a great activity for all ages and Pigeon Island, just a short distance from Nilaveli Beach, offers one of the best snorkelling sites on the island. The protected marine park is home to vibrant coral reefs, timid reef sharks, sea turtles, and a rainbow of tropical fish. Kayenkerni in Kalkudah is a less explored reef ideal for snorkelling and happens to be very close to a world-class wreck, the SS British Sergeant.

Diving

Trincomalee, with its deep natural harbour and strategic importance, was a major British naval base during WWII. It was the site of several Japanese air raids in 1942, which left behind a number of sunken vessels. Among the most famous is the HMS Hermes, the world’s first purpose-built aircraft carrier, sunk by Japanese bombers along with her escort ship, HMAS Vampire. The Hermes wreck lies off Batticaloa, south of Trincomalee. It is accessible only to experienced technical divers. The wreck is remarkably well-preserved and teeming with marine life, making it both a historic and ecological treasure.

Further down the coast near Pasikuda and Vakarai, there are lesser-known wrecks, believed to be merchant ships and naval auxiliaries caught in the crossfire or lost during supply missions. These shallower wrecks, often draped in coral and surrounded by reef fish, provide excellent exploration opportunities for recreational divers.

Sunrise Surf & Sunset Sailing

Start your day with the thrill of the ocean at one of the world’s most iconic surf spots. Arugam Bay is renowned for its consistent breaks, warm waters, and laid-back vibe. The most popular surf spots are Main Point, Baby Point, Peanut Farm, Elephant Rock, Whiskey Point and Okanda. If you’re after a more relaxed experience on the open water, you can choose a morning or sunset cruise to slow down, unwind, and embrace the quiet beauty of Sri Lanka’s eastern coastline from Kalkudah. The catamaran anchors in the heart of the bay, offering the perfect opportunity for a refreshing swim or a session of stand-up paddleboarding on the mirror-like water.

Lagoon Life and Fort Tales in Batticaloa

Step back in time with a visit to the 17th-century Batticaloa Fort, built by the Portuguese and later fortified by the Dutch. This soulful town lies on the edge of a shimmering lagoon. Wander through its fort, visit centuries-old cathedrals and temples, and meet local artisans who weave palmyra crafts by hand. Afterwards, explore the surrounding lagoon by boat – you’ll encounter traditional fishing scenes, mangrove forests, and if you’re lucky, the legendary singing fish which come alive on full moon evenings.

Bliss out on Secluded Beaches

With wide bays, shallow turquoise waters, and powdery white sand, Kalkudah and Pasikuda are the East Coast’s answer to the Maldives – minus the crowds. These calm, reef-protected beaches are perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, or simply lazing with a book and a king coconut in hand.

Deep Dive into East Coast Cuisine

From humble roadside shacks to curated hotel dining, the flavours here are bold, coastal, and unmistakably Sri Lankan. Sample spicy mud crab curries, fresh off the boat grilled lagoon prawns, slow cooked black pork curry or Jaffna-styled chicken curry. Other local delicacies include palmyra juice and chilled king coconut served with crushed ice and lime.

Fringe Experiences from Sri Lanka’s East Coast

Beyond the beaches and surf breaks, the East Coast is a gateway to some of the island’s most compelling and lesser-travelled experiences. Gal Oya National Park offers one of the country’s most unique wildlife encounters: boat safaris across Senanayake Samudraya, where elephants swim between islands and crocodiles bask on untouched shores.

To the southeast lies Kumana National Park, a haven for birdwatchers and regarded for having one of the highest densities of leopards in the world. Known for its seasonal lagoons and nesting storks, pelicans and spoonbills, Kumana also shares a border with Yala but sees only a fraction of the foot traffic.

Venture inland and step into the sacred and storied ruins of Polonnaruwa, an ancient kingdom frozen in time. Crumbling palaces, towering Buddha statues, and lotus-studded reservoirs tell tales of a civilisation once at the height of its power, now wrapped in jungle and mystery.

On the northeast tip, Trincomalee is home to Girihandu Thiriyaya Seya, believed to be the first Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka, and the ancient Koneswaram Temple, which clings to a cliff above shimmering blue water. A centuries-old Hindu pilgrimage site, Koneswaram is a powerful place where incense hangs in the sea breeze and panoramic views stretch across bays once charted by Portuguese and Dutch ships.

Kalkudah Beach House is your private gateway to Sri Lanka’s east coast – the perfect base for sunrise whale watching, sunset cruises, diving adventures, and cultural trails. This newly opened boutique hotel is ideally located for day trips to Trincomalee, Pasikuda, Batticaloa, and the ancient city of Polonnaruwa.