With its natural beauty, national parks and wilderness, and some of the best beaches in Sri Lanka, you really can enjoy the whole diversity of a Sri Lankan holiday here in the Eastern Province.

Kumana National Park
Otherwise known as Yala Park East, this park is home to a variety of birds, including migratory birds. Not only is it a haven for birdwatchers, but it’s also home to a variety of mammals and reptiles so elephants, buffalo, crocodiles, leopards, turtles and white cobras can also be found here. You might even be lucky enough to spot one of the few bears that live here too.

Lahugala National Park
If one National Park isn’t enough, there’s another one within the Eastern Province. This is officially declared as the smallest national park in Sri Lanka and despite its size, it is one of the richest in wildlife. Known for the high number of elephants, it is also home to spurfowl, sloth bear, different species of deer, black-naped hare and slender loris. And the best part? No vehicles are allowed in the park, so you get to do the whole safari thing on foot!

Pigeon Island
Moving on from the region’s national parks on land to the unique experience of a water-based national park, Pigeon Island is roughly 1km off the coast of Nilaveli from where you can get a boat ride to this marine national park that offers up the most colourful and vibrant coral reefs teeming with an abundance of marine life. Snorkel away to your heart’s content amongst the colourful fish and explore the spectacular underwater ecosystem.

Trincomalee
Not only is this little port town the capital of the Eastern Province and surrounded by hilltops, wildlife and rock formations, but it also boasts one of Sri Lanka’s best beaches with its beautiful white sands and a perfect vantage point for blue whale spotting and watching during March–August. The iconic Koneswaran Temple, perched on Swami Rock, is worth a visit and as well as enjoying the temple’s sites, magnificent views of the Indian Ocean are offered up here too.

The Best of the Eastern Province’s Beaches
With a lengthy stretch of unspoilt coastline, this province will provide you with the best beaches that are still not overly developed and where tourists are few and far between. Nilaveli Beach is famous for its fine powdery white sand and crystal clear waters where you can simply relax as you take in the sun rays or take part in a spot of snorkelling or diving. Batticaloa, with its infamous lagoons and historical sites including the Dutch Fort and Kallady Bridge, offers you the amazing, unspoilt Kallady Beach for rest and relaxation. The long stretch of golden sands at Pasikudah Beach, famous for its shallow waters is also ideal for swimming and snorkelling, leisurely beach strolls or just relaxing on the beach. For surf enthusiasts, Arugam Bay is the place to go for its world-class surf breaks. This laid-back coastal town attracts surfers from across the world and enjoys a vibrant beach culture and breathtaking views of the ocean especially when the sun is setting for the day.

Let us book a holiday to Eastern Province, Sri Lanka for you today – just give us a call and we’ll do the rest.