I used to think Trincomalee (affectionately known as "Trinco") was just too far from the west coast of Sri Lanka for a weekend away. How wrong I was. After a recent weekend trip to Trinco with friends (namely Gayarthi & Sandamal from Ceylon Hosts), I now cannot recommend it enough.

Per Google Maps, Trinco is about a 5-hour drive from the international airport, or 5.5 hours from Colombo. What makes this trip so enjoyable is how good the drive is in itself. The journey is truly an awesome experience from the moment you jump in the car. If possible, I recommend sharing the wheel with a second driver. If you have kids in tow, come armed with a family playlist, audiobooks, and plan a little quiet time to snooze (when not driving, of course!) or watch the scenery glide by.

The route offers a gorgeous mix of bustling towns, smooth highways, green open spaces, paddy fields, forests, and massive irrigation tanks (or ‘wewas’ in Sinhala / ‘kulams’ in Tamil). The star of the show being the Kantale Wewa; when driving along its elevated ridge, the water stretches out to the horizon on one side with lush paddy fields dropping down on the other. It must be one of the most breathtaking stretches of the entire journey.

Along these gentle country roads, you’ll find roadside stalls selling fresh buffalo curd, king coconuts, fresh juices, hot tea, and coconut roti. You can easily drive for an hour or two, then break up the trip to stretch your legs. One of my personal favourite lunch stops is at Kurunegala's Asif's Biryani—perfectly placed about 2 hours after leaving Colombo/Airport or 3.5 hours from Trinco.

If you really want to take your time, you can even stop in Sigiriya Village for a boat ride on Ehelagala Lake followed by local rice and curry. Ehelagala Lake is a magical experience where you can see the famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress and nearby Pidurangala Rock from the water. The boatmen here are famous for plucking lotus leaves right out of the water and skilfully folding them into sun hats or necklaces for visitors. Sigiriya is about 4 hours from Colombo/Airport or 3 hours from Trinco.

I think Trinco has something for everyone. Because the journey is just as much an experience as the destination, it is one well worth taking. Now onto Trinco itself...

Crystal Clear Bays & Island Snorkelling

While I feel I have only scratched the surface of Trinco, it has completely stolen my heart. This is where you find crystal-clear bays to swim in all year round—especially Dutch Bay Beach and Marble Beach. The water along these long stretches of white sand appears electric blue before deepening into a rich ocean indigo.

When visiting in season (May to October), the surrounding beaches are beautifully calm. It is the perfect place to just float, splash, do handstands, and play in the shallows with friends and family. For example, Nilaveli Main Beach is a real treat. From here, you can hop on a short boat ride to nearby Pigeon Island for a guided snorkelling experience. Right off the shore, you can swim alongside wild sea turtles, colourful reef fish, and Blacktip Reef Sharks. If swimming with sharks sounds intimidating, don't worry! These Blacktip Reef Sharks are incredibly docile, non-aggressive, and completely safe. When the water is calm, you can stand just waist-deep and watch them gracefully glide around the coral branches just feet away from you.

Beyond the shoreline, Trinco is also a world-class destination for marine life safaris. Depending on when you visit, during season, you can find massive pods of playful Spinner Dolphins leaping out of the water, or even catch a breathtaking glimpse of migrating Blue Whales and Sperm Whales. Stepping onto a boat just as the sun rises, watching the ocean come alive, and heading back to shore just in time for a lazy, well-deserved brunch is an absolute must-do.

Note on Diving: While Trinco is famous for scuba diving, I haven't personally tried it here yet, so I can't comment firsthand. But if you're in the mood to plunge deeper, the team at Deep Blue Dive Center Nilaveli would be happy to be your guide.

History, Architecture & Military Heritage

Trinco boasts a massive natural deep-water harbour that global powers have valued for its strategic importance for centuries. Just south of town, China Bay borders the inner sections of the Trincomalee Bay Harbour—one of the largest and finest natural harbours in the world.

Because of this immense naval and aviation footprint, Trinco is a fantastic place to learn about the Sri Lanka Defence Forces in a fun, interactive way. Today, you can explore this living history through hands-on museums managed directly by the military. My absolute favourite is the Orr's Hill Army Museum. It’s a wonderful open-air space filled with massive vintage combat vehicles and artillery. There are clear informational displays everywhere, and friendly guides are on hand to answer as many questions as you wish. They even have a target shooting range where young and old alike can try firing an air rifle just for fun.

Other incredible spots include:

• The Sri Lanka Air Force Museum (SLAF Academy): Houses a fantastic, secure collection of vintage aircraft and aviation relics that played a massive role in the country’s defence.

• Eagles' Bayview Resort and Restaurant: Here you can choose to stay a night or even just enjoy a cold drink or a relaxed meal at the restaurant while taking in the perfectly manicured, military-grade lawns and peaceful harbour breezes. The staff are very attentive and incredibly friendly. They are more than happy for you to get out your guitar and gather around for a few songs, set up a game of backyard cricket or ball games right there on the grass, and of course splash in the water as you wish. Best of all, everything is in one place—you can even hire kayaks or snorkelling gear right there and spend the afternoon on the water.

Local Flavours & Panoramic Views

Trinco has a lovely inner city where you can fill your cup with authentic rice and curry, crispy South Indian dosas, sweet milk tea, and fresh ice cream. Right in the middle of town sits the Shri Badrakali Amman Hindu Kovil, a vibrant temple dedicated to the goddess Bhadrakali that showcases breathtaking, colourful Tamil architecture. The surrounding streets are filled with markets galore, offering the wonderful, bustling energy of a real working city.

There are also many beautiful viewpoints and monuments perfect for a scenic drive or a quick walk to stretch your legs:

• Thirukoneswaram Kovil: An ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, perched dramatically at the sheer edge of Swami Rock.

• Fort Frederick: A 17th-century colonial fortress originally built by the Portuguese, now famously home to a gentle herd of wandering spotted deer.

• Gokanna Rajamaha Viharaya: A peaceful Buddhist temple featuring a towering, snow-white Buddha statue gazing out over the harbour.

• Diamond Hill: An elevated peak historically used as a military lookout, offering a stunning 360-degree view of the entire region.

• Elephant Rock: A natural rock formation looking back toward the inner bays—a fantastic coastal destination as the day winds down.

I can not wait to visit Trinco again and revisit or expand my explorations. Every trip is different depending on who you travel with, the time of year or just where you are in life. There is always so much to learn and discover. Sri Lanka...It's a feeling.

Let’s Share the Journey

Drop me a note via the contact form below if you have questions, need help planning an itinerary, or would like any personal recommendations for travelling in Sri Lanka. Alternatively, you can reach out directly to my wonderful, trusted friends on the ground who specialise in helping others create rich and unforgettable experiences in Sri Lanka:

• Sandamal & Gayarthi @ Ceylon Hosts: Not a corporate travel company, but a genuine circle of local hosts who personally welcome you—sharing our homes, our island, and the quiet places most travellers never reach.

• Chinthika @ Yovin Tours: Specializing in comfortable taxi services and customized tour packages to ensure a safe, affordable, and unforgettable travel experience.

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