Trincomalee is one of the least-visited good destinations in Sri Lanka. It has a large natural harbour, a Hindu temple on a cliff above the sea, colonial-era fortifications, beaches on multiple points of the peninsula, and the diving covered in detail throughout this site.
Trincomalee sees a fraction of the tourist traffic of Galle, Kandy, or Ella. For visitors who want uncrowded beaches and dive sites without other boats on the mooring, this is good news.
How to get there. From Colombo, the drive is 6-7 hours along the A6 highway through Kurunegala and Dambulla. The road passes through the Cultural Triangle, so the drive breaks well with a Sigiriya or Polonnaruwa stop. The train from Colombo Fort to Trincomalee takes 7-8 hours through scenic countryside. Book the intercity express for the fastest option. There are no direct flights from Colombo. The closest airport with regular service is Batticaloa, 90 minutes south, though most visitors come overland.
Where to stay. Sandy Cove, where we are based, is a quieter section of the Trincomalee coast, south of the main town. Uppuveli and Nilaveli, 10-15 km north, have the most developed beach strip with hotels ranging from backpacker guesthouses ($15-25 per night) to mid-range beach resorts ($60-120 per night). Chaaya Blu in Uppuveli and Club Oceanic in Nilaveli are the two most established mid-range options with reliable wifi and direct beach access.
What else to do. Fort Frederick is a Dutch colonial fort built in 1624, now occupied by the Sri Lanka Army but open to visitors. Koneswaram Temple sits at the point of Swami Rock, above the dive site of the same name. The Hindu temple complex has strong architectural significance and the cliff views justify the climb. Marble Beach, 8 km south, is a protected military beach opened to visitors in 2009: clean sand, calm water, and relatively uncrowded. Nilaveli Beach, 15 km north, is one of the longest stretches of open beach in Sri Lanka and almost undeveloped.
Suggested itineraries.
3 days: Day 1, arrival, discover scuba or whale watching. Day 2, open water confined training and afternoon at Koneswaram temple. Day 3, open water dives at Coral Garden and afternoon at Nilaveli Beach.
5 days: Day 1, arrival, whale watching (March to June) or discover scuba. Day 2, PADI theory and confined water sessions. Day 3, open water dives 1 and 2 at Coral Garden. Day 4, open water dives 3 and 4, receive certification. Day 5, two-tank fun dive (Pigeon Island and Swami Rock) as a certified diver.
7 days: Days 1 to 4 as above. Day 5, HMS Hermes two-tank trip (requires Advanced Open Water, or add the Advanced course to your itinerary). Day 6, Pigeon Island snorkeling and boat tour. Day 7, morning dive, afternoon departure.
Practical notes. Sri Lankan Rupee is the local currency. ATMs are available in Trincomalee town. Most dive operators and restaurants accept cash only, so bring more than you expect to need. Drink bottled water only. Bring mosquito repellent for evenings. The diving season aligns with the dry season on this coast: expect hot, sunny weather from May to October with occasional brief afternoon showers.