Making the Most of Sri Lanka’s East Coast Beaches

Passekudah & Kalkudah

“Translating as ‘Green Algae Bay’, you might think that Passekudah’s waters might be fairly murky, but far from it. They may not be quite as crystal clear as the waters at Trincomalee, just up the coast, but the warm blue seas that lap against this long, sweeping cove are still very inviting. Passekudah is also considered one of the safest swimming beaches in Sri Lanka, with a shallow shelf and gentler currents than some other spots, so it’s perfect if you like to go in for a dip. If you really, really want to get away from it all, nearby Kalkudah is even more remote, and very peaceful.

Due to Kalkudah’s feeling of utter seclusion, with just a couple of low-key, high-end resorts where you can while away the hours in style (including the gorgeous Karpaha Sands), Passekudah sometimes also gets called ‘the busy one’, but it’s all relative! Passekudah has a handful more hotels lining the sands, which gives visitors a wider choice of dining options, but they’re all low-key, low-rise affairs, and it’s still a sleepy place by anyone’s measure. You can, surprisingly often, find you have the beach to yourself. Notable accommodation options that are well worth a few days include the high-end beach huts style lodges at the characterful Maalu Maalu, with an Ayurvedic spa and early morning yoga on the beach, and the uber-stylish Uga Bay with private balconies overlooking the beach.

The nearby town is very much a working town, with not too much to tempt visitors, so it’s really all about the beach – it’s a great place to reset, recharge and take a moment of stillness before continuing your Sri Lanka adventure in Tea Country or the Cultural Triangle, both well within a day’s driving distance.”

Trincomalee

“About three and a half hours’ drive north of Passekudah, Trincomalee, or Trinco, is a real contrast; the perfect counterbalance to Passekudah’s remote calm. It’s great for families, and the whale watching trips in season can be especially memorable. The waters here are picture-perfect turquoise clear, making them ideal for diving and snorkelling (with reef sharks to spot, if you’re fortunate), but they can be a little rougher than their down-coast cousins, so it’s more common to see the red flags advising ‘no swimming’.

Being a port city means there’s generally more of a busy buzz, and plenty to keep you occupied when you’re in the mood to explore, but it’s definitely a town of two halves. Northern Nilaveli offers more of the classic remote coastal experience, away from the main city lights, while Uppuveli is right in the thick of it, with lots of snorkelling opportunities, the lively bustle of local life, and plenty of beachside eateries serving freshly-caught seafood.

It’s somewhere that gives you a different look at life in Sri Lanka, with a strong tradition of Tamil culture. You can visit Hindu temples, such as Koneswaram, en route to the beach, perhaps even being there for puja if you time it right. Fort Frederick offers a look into the region’s colonial past, and the views over the coast from the headland can be pretty spectacular. There are plenty of options when it comes to places to stay, too, from the well-known Trinco Blue, which offers high-end hubbub right on the beach, to the calmer Amaranthe Bay, set around a tranquil lagoon about ten minutes’ walk from the coast.

If you’re combining this with some downtime in Passekudah, a couple of nights in Uppuveli, where everything is right on your doorstep, might be a great balance. It can get noisy at night though, especially at weekends, so if tranquillity is important to you, opt for Nilaveli and a quick drive into town.”

“A little extra time to relax never goes amiss, and combining these two complementary east coast spots lets you experience the full range of Sri Lanka’s coastal culture. Five to seven days, split between the two is the ideal sweet spot, and I’d recommend probably heading to Trincomalee first. That way, you get to soak up all Trinco’s enticing buzz before going down to Passekudah or Kalkudah for some proper remote relaxation, sea swimming, sandy strolls and sun salutations.

The drive between Trinco and Passekudah is really picturesque in places, as the road follows the coastline with lots of opportunities to stop along the way. On my last journey between the two, we paused to watch a group of local fishermen hauling a huge net ashore by hand in a traditional fishing technique known as madel. It was pretty impressive!

Being on the more out-of-the-way east coast, these beaches are best as a break in the middle of a wider Sri Lanka itinerary. When you’ve enjoyed a seaside rest and reset, you can head west again, energised and ready to explore more of Tea Country or the Cultural Triangle.”

Get in touch with our Destination Specialists to chat about including this east coast beach duo in your Sri Lanka trip.