Eastern Province

Surf at Arugam Bay, the natural harbour of Trincomalee, whales off Nilaveli and long, empty stretches of white sand.

Districts

Places to visit

Ampara

Ampara

The quiet inland capital of the district, ringed by paddy fields and irrigation tanks, and the gateway to Gal Oya National Park's famous boat safaris.

Arugam Bay

Ampara

A laid-back surf town on Sri Lanka's south-east coast, rated among the world's finest right-hand point breaks and the gateway to the district's wild lagoons and jungle temples.

Batticaloa

Batticaloa

A laid-back east-coast city of lagoons, islands and Dutch-era history, famous for the mysterious 'singing fish' heard from Kallady Bridge.

Nilaveli

Trincomalee

A long, palm-fringed beach village north of Trincomalee, the launch point for snorkelling trips to Pigeon Island.

Pasikudah

Batticaloa

A resort beach town north of Batticaloa, wrapped around a shallow, reef-protected bay with some of the calmest swimming water in Sri Lanka.

Trincomalee

Trincomalee

A historic east-coast port city set on one of the world's finest natural harbours, ringed by golden beaches and crowned by the clifftop Koneswaram Temple.