Batticaloa

About Batticaloa

Wrapped around one of Sri Lanka's largest lagoons, Batticaloa is a slow-paced Tamil-majority east-coast city famous for its 17th-century Dutch fort, its haunting 'singing fish' phenomenon on full-moon nights, and the long empty beaches of Kallady and Passikudah just to the north.

Top experiences

• 
  Batticaloa Fort

  A compact 17th-century Portuguese and Dutch fort on the edge of the lagoon.

• 
  Batticaloa Lagoon boat trips

  Sunset boat rides through mangroves — and the famous 'singing fish' at Kallady Bridge.

• 
  Kallady Beach

  A long, uncrowded golden beach just across the lagoon from central Batticaloa.

• 

  Snorkelling at Pigeon Island

  Reef sharks, turtles and coral gardens in a marine sanctuary.

• 

  Surfing at Arugam Bay's Main Point

  World-class right-hand point break, mellow beach breaks nearby.

• 

  Whale watching from Trincomalee

  Seasonal blue whale and dolphin encounters off the east coast.

• 

  Beach horseback ride

  Long empty beaches of Nilaveli and Uppuveli at sunrise.

• 

  Koneswaram Temple

  Cliff-top Hindu temple with sea views on Trincomalee's Swami Rock.

• 

  Fort Frederick

  Colonial-era Portuguese and Dutch fort overlooking Trinco harbour.

• 

  Nilaveli & Uppuveli beaches

  Long stretches of white sand fringing turquoise waters.

• 

  Pigeon Island National Park

  Offshore marine sanctuary with vibrant coral reefs and reef sharks.