5 Islands to Explore in Sri Lanka

Checkout places to visit in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

An island country in South Asia, located in the Indian Ocean southwest of the Bay of Bengal and southeast of the Arabian Sea. It is geographically separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. Sri Lanka's documented history spans 3,000 years, with evidence of prehistoric human settlements dating back at least 125,000 years.

Activities Around

Islands to Explore in Sri Lanka

Delft Island

Delft island is also known as Neduntheevu among locals. It's in the Palk Strait, northern Sri Lanka. The island has a 1,000-year-old temple on its west coast and remains of a Dutch fort.

Hammenhiel Fort

Hammenhiel fort was built by the Portuguese in the 17th century. The fort served both as a prison and an armory storage. Now the fort is turned into a hotel, so the visitors can explore history through its wall. The guests can experience the prison life and even sleep on an actual cell.

Mannar Island

Mannar Island located in the Northern province in Sri Lanka, the island is best known for the sunny weather, palm trees, and the and large areas of white sands. It is recommended to visit the island between July and September.

Nainativu

Nainativu is a small island revered by Buddhists and Hindus for centuries, the island houses the Hindu shrine of Nagapooshani Amman Temple and the Buddhist shrine Nagadeepa Purana Viharaya.

Pigeon Island

Pigeon Island National Park lies 1 km off the coast of Nilaveli in Eastern Province, containing a total area of 471.429 hectares. The island's name came from the rock pigeon which colonized it. The park includes some of the best remaining coral reefs of Sri Lanka. This place in the 17th century used as a shooting range during the colonial era. Pigeon Island was one of the several protected areas affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004.

Map of Islands to explore in Sri Lanka