Trincomalee travel guide
Seasons, beaches and day trips, measured from Sandy Bay. Distances are straight lines from Hills Beach.
When to come
Trincomalee is on Sri Lanka's east coast, which has its dry season at the opposite time of year to the south and west. From roughly April to September the sea is usually calm and clear: the time for swimming, snorkelling and boat trips. From October to March the northeast monsoon brings rain and swell, and boat trips become unreliable.
- Jan: Monsoon swell
- Feb: Monsoon swell
- Mar: In between
- Apr: Calm, clear sea
- May: Calm, clear sea
- Jun: Calm, clear sea
- Jul: Calm, clear sea
- Aug: Calm, clear sea
- Sep: Calm, clear sea
- Oct: In between
- Nov: Monsoon swell
- Dec: Monsoon swell
- Calm, clear sea
- In between
- Monsoon swell
Fort Frederick
The fort on the headland 2.0 km north of the hotel was built by the Portuguese in the early seventeenth century and later rebuilt by the Dutch. The military still uses it, but visitors walk through the gate and along the road to Swami Rock. Spotted deer graze inside the walls.
Koneswaram Temple and Swami Rock
At the end of the road through the fort, Koneswaram Temple stands on Swami Rock, a cliff high above the sea. It is one of the most important Hindu temples in Sri Lanka. Dress modestly and take off your shoes before you go in.
Dutch Bay
The long town beach between the fort and Sandy Bay starts 1.1 km north of the hotel. It is good for an evening walk; ask locally before swimming, as currents change.
Pigeon Island
Pigeon Island National Park lies off Nilaveli, 17.9 km north of Sandy Bay in a straight line. Boats leave from Nilaveli beach, and the reef is the best-known snorkelling spot on the east coast. Visibility is usually best from about April. There is a park entry fee. Use reef-safe sun protection and don't stand on the coral.
Whale and dolphin watching
Boat trips leave Trincomalee during the calm season. Operators quote different windows, roughly March to August, and sightings are never guaranteed. Choose an operator who keeps a respectful distance from the animals.
Uppuveli
About 5.1 km north, Uppuveli is the livelier beach strip, with cafés, small hotels and dive shops. An easy tuk-tuk ride from Sandy Bay.
Nilaveli
Nilaveli, about 14.4 km north, is a long, quiet beach and the starting point for boats to Pigeon Island.
Wake up to the sea.
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