Trincomalee

Trincomalee — "Trinco" — sits on one of the deepest natural harbours in the world, a prize fought over by the Portuguese, Dutch, French and British. Today it is the main base for the east coast's beaches, which are at their best when the south and west are rainy. The town itself is busy and multicultural, with Hindu kovils, mosques, churches and a fort on the headland; the beaches of Uppuveli and Nilaveli stretch away to the north.

Things to do

• Koneswaram Temple — a revered Hindu temple perched on Swami Rock inside Fort Frederick, with dramatic cliffs and sea views.
• Pigeon Island National Park — snorkel among corals, reef fish and blacktip reef sharks in shallow water. Boats leave from Nilaveli.
• Nilaveli and Uppuveli — long, calm, pale-sand beaches in season.
• Whale and dolphin watching — the deep canyon off Trinco brings blue whales and other species close to shore, usually from around March to August.
• Marble Beach — a sheltered cove with very clear water south of the harbour.
• Kanniya hot wells — seven small hot springs a short drive inland.
• Commonwealth War Cemetery — a peaceful reminder of Trinco's role in the Second World War.

When to visit

May to September is the season. From November to January the north-east monsoon brings heavy rain and rough seas.

Getting there

• From the Cultural Triangle: about 2 hours from Habarana and 2.5 hours from Sigiriya — an easy add-on to a heritage tour.
• From Colombo: about 6 hours by road, or by overnight train.
• From Kandy: about 4.5–5 hours by road.

How long to stay

Two to four nights for beaches, snorkelling and Koneswaram. Many travellers combine Trincomalee with the Cultural Triangle in a summer itinerary when the south coast is in monsoon.