Trincomalee, Sri Lanka East Coast

The quaintly named resort of Trincomalee is situated 250 kilometres from the capital, Colombo, on the north east coast of the island. Although the town is steeped in history, most of the tourists who include a visit to Trincomalee on their Sri Lanka holidays do so because of the beach, which is one of the best in Sri Lanka.

Trinco, as it is known, has a natural deep water harbour, described in the 18^th century by Admiral Nelson as the finest in the world. The Dutch, French Portuguese and English have all colonised the town, and fought major sea battles over it.

To the north of the town Nilaveli beach extends into the sea for up to half a mile. The sand here, and in neighbouring Uppuveli beach, is fine and white, and the seas, particularly around the popular tourist site of Pigeon Island, are some of the best for snorkelling in Sri Lanka. Nilaveli Beach Hotel offers a great programme of snorkelling, diving, surfing, waterskiing and turtle watching run by the Trincomalee Diving Centre.

Trincomalee boasts a new bus terminus and shopping centre popular with locals and tourists alike. Now luxury air-conditioned coaches make the seven hour journey to Colombo, and other major cities. There is an overnight sleep train to Colombo as well.

Temperatures in Trincomalee are always warm and average 30 degrees Celsius. The most pleasant temperatures are from December to March, but these months can also be wet. The driest month is June.