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Passikudah

Pasikudah or Pasikuda is a coastal resort town located 35 kilometers northwest of Batticaloa, Batticaloa District, Sri Lanka.

About Passikudah

Passikudah is a beautiful coastal resort town located on the east coast of Sri Lanka South of Trincomalee. Well known for its seemingly endless, pristine white sandy beaches and crystal-clear blue waters. Passikudah has become a popular tourist destination in recent years.

One of the main attractions of Passikudah is its calm and shallow bay protected by a reef in the shape of a horseshoe, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and other water sports. The area is also famous for its coral reefs, making it an ideal spot for diving enthusiasts. It has also been declared a Marine sanctuary by the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency in view of the amazing coral formations. Visitors can also partake in activities such as surfing, wind surfing, water-skiing and kite surfing.

Due to its natural beauty and ideal surroundings for swimming and water sports, Passikudah has been declared a development zone for tourism by the Government of Sri Lanka. 

A range of accommodation options, from luxury resorts to budget guesthouses, are available catering to all types of travelers. The town also has several restaurants serving delicious seafood and traditional Sri Lankan cuisine.

Passikudah is not only a place for relaxation and water activities but also a gateway to explore the rich cultural heritage of the Eastern Province.

Overall, Passikudah is a perfect destination for those seeking sun, sea, and serenity on the stunning east coast of Sri Lanka.

1. Beach Activities

Enjoy the soft white sands and clear blue waters where you could wade up to 50 meters into the sea protected by a beautiful natural reef. Lounge on the beach and soak up the sun, swim, snorkel, or dive to witness the amazing coral formations.

2. Water Sports

Experience the enticing water sports such as snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, jet skiing, windsurfing, kite surfing, paddleboarding, deep sea fishing or kayaking.

If you are an avid diver there are several shipwrecks to be discovered around the waters of Passikudah and its environs. One of the more popular wrecks you will come across is the HMS Hermes, which is a British military tanker that was destroyed during World War II.

There are rental shops along the beach where you can rent the required equipment.

3. Boat Rides

Take a boat ride along the coast to explore nearby islands, coral reefs, and other scenic spots. Sunset boat rides are particularly popular for breathtaking views. Visitors could also charter a boat to travel deep into the sea to witness schools of dolphins and whales.

4. Dolphin and Whale Watching

Dolphin and Whale watching is one of the top five things to do in Passikudah. Visitors are encouraged to undertake an expedition which could easily be the highlight of the tour.

Entire colonies of Blue whales considered the largest mammal in the world and now enjoying the tag of a protected species can be seen relatively easily in the seas of Passikudah during the months of May to October.

 

While some of the colonies have taken up residence in the waters around the island some groups prefer to migrate.

Those who miss the opportunity to view a whale can easily witness the playful and sociable Dolphins who love to swim along the boat and perform for you.

 

Guided boat tours to spot dolphins and whales in their natural habitat are available or can be chartered. Passikudah is known for its rich marine life, offering memorable wildlife encounters.

5. Cultural Exploration

Explore the rich cultural heritage of the area by visiting nearby temples, such as the Kalkudah and Panamai temples, or taking a day trip to the historic city of Batticaloa which is around 34 km from Passikudah.

While in Batticaloa visitors could visit the Batticaloa Fort, Lighthouse, Batticaloa Gate, Kallady or Lady Manning Bridge of singing fish fame and more.   

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6. Cycling Tours

Rent a bicycle and explore the surrounding countryside in a eco- friendly and cost effective manner at your own pace. Cycling allows you to discover hidden gems such as a myriad of pristine beaches, lagoons, simple and modest village life, beautiful scenery, and an opportunity to interact with local communities along the way.

Delmege Tours can organize a curated cycling tour around Passikuda’s prime tourist attractions.

7. Bird Watching

You are encouraged to explore the nearby lagoons and marshlands, such as the Vakarai Bird Sanctuary, for bird watching. You can spot a variety of bird species, including Water birds, sea birds, shore birds, forest birds and migratory birds during the winter season. Bird watching in Passikudah offers a fantastic opportunity to observe a diverse array of avian species, both resident and migratory, in a beautiful natural setting.

The Waterbirds include species such as the commonly spotted herons and egrets, and also storks wading along the shoreline and marshy areas.

Psssikudah’s beaches also attract a variety of shorebirds, including sandpipers, plovers, and terns. Keep an eye out for the Lesser Sand Plover and the Greater Sand Plover.

Offshore islands or rocky outcrops may be home to nesting colonies of sea birds like gulls, terns, and possibly even seabirds like the Brown Booby.

While Psssikudah is known for its coastal habitats, nearby forests and scrublands harbor species such as the Oriental Magpie-Robin, the Indian Pitta, and various species of bulbuls and sunbirds.

Depending on the season, you might have the chance to spot migratory birds that use Psssikudah as a stopover during their journeys. Keep an eye out for species like the Eurasian Curlew or the Curlew Sandpiper during their migration periods.

It is recommended to hire a local bird-watching guide who is familiar with the area and can help you locate the maximum number of species.

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