Joanna James
Known for its shallow coastline and pristine beaches, Passikudah is the ideal getaway spot for anyone thinking of exploring the east coast. Aside from the beaches, here are 5 attractions you must see.
Once a hidden gem, accessible to only locals, the end of the civil war in 2009 opened up this beautiful area to all travellers and it has since become a favourite travel destination. A highlight of this beautiful, curved bay is that it has one of the longest shallow coastlines in the world. Beach goers can wade out for a kilometre with the water only reaching knee level. The bay consists of two pristine beaches; the main beach, a 2km stretch of white powder sand that's protected by a reef just off the shore, and Kalkudah beach, located just 4km south of the main beach. Both beaches offer calm, crystal clear water and even with most hotels located nearby, like Amethyst Resort Pasikuda, it's still possible to spend hours here without bumping into large crowds.
Passikudah has several reefs that provide a home for colourful coral, shoaling fish and rockfish. Due to its remote location, the coral reefs are still in great condition and are considered some of the best in Sri Lanka. The best reefs include Vakarai, Mushroom and Kayankerni coral reef. Snorkelling among the reefs can be arranged through any of the hotels or beach shacks located on the main beach.
Passikudah is situated on the island's east coast, in the Batticaloa district, and the Batticaloa lagoon is a scenic stop for anyone who passes by. Located just 30 minutes away from Passikudah, the lagoon is home to numerous small islands such as Buffalo, Puliayantheevu and Bone. Several of the islands are accessible through interconnecting bridges that connect to the mainland; the biggest of which is the Lady Manning Bridge found at Kallady. You'll also find the well-known singing fish' at Kallady, during April and September. According to locals, the best way to listen to the 'singing' is by placing your ear on a thick walking stick that's dipped in the water. You will be able to feel a musical vibration emanating from the waters. The lagoon is also home to an extensive network of mangrove swamps located near the two entrances that lead out to the sea. A tour of the mangroves offers the chance to view a wide assortment of water birds and reptiles.
Head further out past the clear waters and beautiful beaches and you will come across several shipwrecks from World War 2 that make for great deep-sea diving excursions. The HMS Hermes is a popular shipwreck for divers, and there are several reputable diving operators in Passikudah that can arrange excursions shipwrecks and fill you in on their historical significance. Do note however that due to the deep depth of the shipwrecks, this should only be attempted by someone with prior diving experience.
If sightseeing in Sri Lanka includes visiting ancient temples for you, then you must see the Thaanthonreeswarar Temple. Located in Batticaloa, the temple is one of 5 temples in the island dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. The original temple is said to date back to the 10th century and has since been destroyed and reconstructed several times over in the same location.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
