Pasikudah

A shallow-bay beach resort on Sri Lanka's east coast, adjoining Kalkudah Beach; to the south, Batticaloa has a Dutch fort, a lagoon and a lighthouse.

Pasikudah lies in the north of Batticaloa District in Sri Lanka's Eastern Province and is one of the best-known beach resorts on the east coast. Its core is a crescent-shaped shallow bay ringed by reefs. Even a hundred or two hundred meters offshore, the water is only waist-deep and calm, which suits families with young children and visitors who cannot swim. The adjoining Kalkudah Beach to the south is longer and more natural. The east coast's monsoon pattern is the reverse of the southwest coast's, so the best months are April to September, when the water is clear and skies are mostly sunny. From November to January, the northeast monsoon brings rain and rough seas, and some hotels and dive shops close.

Beach leisure is the main activity: swimming at the hotel beaches, snorkelling, and boat trips north to the Kayankerni Coral Reef Sanctuary for diving. A half-day trip about 35 kilometers south takes you to Batticaloa town, with its Dutch fort, lagoon, lighthouse and the old Kallady Bridge. In the evening, you can also try listening to the 'singing fish' in the lagoon.

Getting there: From Colombo it is about 6 to 7 hours by car, or take the train to Valaichchenai station and then a taxi for about 15 minutes. It can also be combined with Trincomalee and Sigiriya. Plan 2-4 days. The hotel beach zones are fairly enclosed, while public beaches are busier with local visitors at weekends. The local culture is mainly Tamil, so dress modestly when visiting temples and churches.

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