What to do and Where to stay in
The East Coast

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Sri Lanka’s East Coast offers endless stretches of pristine golden beach lapped by calm, shallow waters. Heavily impacted by the civil war, the region is now experiencing a resurgence with investment in infrastructure and new resorts popping up making it once again accessible to tourists. However, at 6 hours by road from Colombo, it is still off the beaten track to most and herein lies its appeal with many places still untouched and miles of blissfully unspoilt beach to discover. The East Coast experiences the best weather May-September making this region ideal for travel during our summer months.

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Experiences in The East Coast

The golden beaches of the east coast are perfect for a few days relaxing after exploring Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. The waters are clear and calmer than those in the south so perfect for swimming, snorkelling and water sports. Passekudah and neighbouring Kalkudah are the most popular beach destinations here and home to most of the new hotel developments. The calm bay is protected by a reef making it ideal for families.

To the north, the vibrant, multicultural town of Trincomalee, known as ‘Trinco’ to the locals, is the main city on the east coast and known for its impressive natural harbour. It has colourful Hindu temples and colonial architecture such as the Old Dutch Fort to explore and is the gateway to the beaches of Uppuveli, Nilaveli and Kuchaveli. There are also several dive spots along the coast including Pigeon Island off Trinco which is one of two marine national parks in Sri Lanka. The waters here are home to wonderful marine life, popular for snorkelling

Further south along the coast is Arugam Bay, a popular surf spot. The town has seen little development over the years so upmarket accommodation options here are limited and it still retains a laid-back surf vibe.

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