Islands in Sri Lanka offer the most stunning and scenic views of a range of attractions for tourists to explore on holiday. Sri Lanka has something for everyone right from exploring Colombo, the sleepless and fast-developing capital, to Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, the ancient cities with their imposing Dagaba’s, to the Hill Country region’s rolling tea plantation and green hills to the national parks home to elephants, leopards, crocodiles, and rare birdlife. With its tourist attractions, people are also welcomed to the idyllic palm-lined beaches, scrumptious food, and friendly people. It is one of the best one-stop tourist destinations in the world, people should put it on their bucket list of places to see.
8 Islands In Sri Lanka For The Adventure Of A Lifetime
One of the most exciting holidays people should plan is a visit to the islands in Sri Lanka. It is nothing less than a dream holiday destination where tourists are surrounded by the beauty of nature, listening to the sounds of the waves and greenery. Whether people are on their honeymoon or a peaceful family holiday, the islands are the best place to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city. So, pack your bags, take lots of pictures and have the best holiday you have been wanting for a long time. Sri Lanka does have a lot to offer its tourists.
1. Delft Island
Have you ever seen or heard of horses freely roaming around on an island? If you haven't yet, then it is a sight you should not miss out on. Situated in Jaffna, tourists will get to see wild horses roaming around Delft Island. Along with seeing the ponies, tourists will see massive Baobab trees and much more. The oval-shaped island's flat grounds offer beauty to the stunning views. With so much to do, what more can one ask for? Tourists will always come back for more as it is one of the very few Sri Lanka Islands that is amazing.
Best Time To Visit: July- August
How To Reach: The closest airport to Delft Island is the Jaffna International Airport where most of the major airline's land. To get to the island, one will have to catch a bus from the Jaffna bus station, which is a half an hour journey.
Famous For: Horses and Baobab Trees
Things To Do: Visit the Rock temples, hot springs, wild national park reserves and beaches
Best Places To Stay: Delft Samudra, Allai Samudra beach resort, Light house beach hut, Easy life happy home
2. Mannar Island
With its white sand and palm trees, gulls and terns, wild donkeys, and fishing boats, Mannar Island is one of the largest islands in Sri Lanka. Tourists will enjoy bird watching during the migratory bird season in December/January. The island is filled with Baobob trees and a white sandy landscape stretched for miles. Along with the attractions on the beach, one will get a glimpse of the Dutch fort and Adam's bridge. Apart from the trees, tourists should explore the island for its crumbling colonial edifices created by the Portuguese, Dutch, and Brits. Make it a point to visit the island to discover the trees, the birds, and the edifices. With visiting the islands, people can even spend a day on the beaches in Sri Lanka.
Best Time To Visit: September- December
How To Reach: Jaffna International Airport is the main airport close to the island. There are buses and ferries that tourists can take to reach the island.
Famous For: Birds, palm trees, gulls and terns, wild donkeys, fishing boats and Baobob trees
Things To Do: Watch the birds, explore the crumbling colonial edifices and see the wild donkeys
Best Places To Stay: The Palmyrah house, Vayu, Pesalai Beach view hotel, Mannar Coccos Garden
3. Pigeon Island
The most ideal place for scuba diving and snorkeling, the island is the ideal getaway and the best place to visit in June in the world. Located off the coast of Nilaveli, back in 1963, the island was declared a marine sanctuary and in 2003, a national park. It is one of the most ideal places for Scuba diving and Snorkeling. Apart from this, Hikkaduwa, tourists should visit. Known for its best coral reefs, the island in Sri Lanka is home to several marine life, stunning rock formations, and endangered rock pigeons.
Best Time To Visit: June
How To Reach: Nilaveli airport is the nearest airport to the island. People can take the train and reach the island.
Famous For: Scuba Diving and Snorkeling, Coral Reefs, marine life, stunning rock formations, and endangered rock pigeons
Things To Do: Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
Best Places To Stay: Nilaveli beach resort, Anilana Nilaveli, Nilavel beach hotel
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4. Puliyanthivu Island
One of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka, Puliyanthivu island is home to several historical places like old schools, religious buildings, and government schools; and Batticaloa gate, Weber stadium. When on vacation in Sri Lanka, this island is a must-visit, so put it on the list of places to see.
It is one of the best islands in Sri Lanka home to several inhabitants, historical places, a Cathedral, a mosque, and much more. What are you waiting for? Pack those bags, buy those plane tickets and visit the island. You will have the best time of your life as Sri Lanka has so much to offer.
Best Time To Visit: December- April
How To Reach: Batticaloa Airport is the closest airport to the island. Tourists can even hire a car on rent and reach the island.
Famous For: Old schools, religious buildings, and government schools; and Batticaloa gate; and Weber stadium
Things To Do: Explore the historical places, a Cathedral and mosque.
Best Places To Stay: Roabaa guesthouse, Olifant hall, hotel east lagoon, Naval beach villa
5. Nainativu Island
The modern name of an island of the Jaffna archipelago, Nainativu island is smaller than the other surrounding islands. It is one of the islands in Asia, people should explore for its significant pilgrimage. Back in the Dutch colonial period, the island was known to several as Harlem, which then became Manipallavam and now Nainativu.
The island is scattered with several palm trees and is home to several Tamilian-speaking people. People will get a glimpse of the crows flying by and a Hindu temple close by. The best way to travel to the island is by ferry as one can easily see the scenic beauty along the way.
Best Time To Visit: June to September
How To Reach: Jaffna International Airport is the main airport close to the island. One can take a ferry to the island.
Famous For: Palm trees, Pilgrimage sites
Things To Do: Visit the pilgrimage sites
Best Places To Stay: Delft Samudra, Fort Hammenheil, Allai Samudra Beach resort, Dambakolapatuna resort
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6. Katchatheevu Island
Did you know the history of Katchtheevu island? Until 1976, Katchtheevu was an uninhabited island governed by Sri Lanka and a disputed territory claimed by India. Nestled between Neduntheevu, Sri Lanka, and Rameswaram, it is used by the Sri Lankan Tamil and Indian fishermen. It is one of the most ideal places to visit in Asia with family and friends and is known for fishing. Tourists can spend several hours on the island and forget about all the hustle and bustle of city life. What more can anyone ask for when it comes to taking the vacation they have always wanted. Besides this island, people should put Iranativu island on their list of places to explore.
Best Time To Visit: September
How To Reach: Jaffna International Airport is the closest airport to the island. People can even take a bus, train or ferry to the island.
Famous For: Fishing
Things To Do: Enjoy Fishing
Best Places To Stay: Hotel vel residency, Light house beach hut, Delft Samudra, AAA cottage
7. Rock Islands
The island is said to be a massive rock nestled on the shores of Mirrisa, as it is said to be a magical land where tourists can enjoy the view of the bay and the sun setting in the evening. It is an island where one can even see mass cropping out of the calm Mirissa waves. People will have to climb up the steep rock steps to get to the top, which is one of the many things to do in Sri Lanka. The island is one of the most peaceful places to lazy around and watch the waves crash against the big rocks. Tourists can spend one of the most peaceful evenings on the island.
Best Time To Visit: November
How To Reach: Jaffna International Airport is the closest airport to the island. There are ferries that go to the island, one of the most ideal ways to travel.
Famous For: Steep rock steps, waves, view of the bay
Things To Do: Snorkeling and fishing
Best Places To Stay: Duwa Hotel, Blue Parrot Beach Villa, Hotel J Ambalangoda, Chenda beach house
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8. Kirala Island
Have you ever been to an island where you could fish, go boating and have the best parties of a lifetime? What are you waiting for? Nestled close to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, Kirala island offers several recreational attractions like Sri Lanka's largest model train display, games, music, entertainment, fishing, boating, and BBQ. It is even open to private parties, which people often enjoy in the evening. With so much to do, tourists will have the most fun and will always come back for more. One of the many things' tourists should do, apart from visiting the island, is go shopping in Sri Lanka.
Best Time To Visit: September
How To Reach: Jaffna International Airport is the closest airport to the island. There are ferries that go to the island, one of the most ideal ways to travel.
Famous For: Model train display, games, music, entertainment, fishing, boat rides, and BBQ
Things To Do: Fishing, Boat rides, play games, see the model trains on display and enjoy a BBQ.
Best Places To Stay: Heritance Kandalama, Water Garden Sigiriya, Habarana Village by Cinnamon, Sigiriana Resort
Sri Lanka is filled with a variety of attractions, tourists from around the world come to explore. Right from its beaches to the islands to the shopping places, there is a lot to discover and tourists will never have a dull moment. What are you waiting for now? Go ahead and book your flights to Sri Lanka and have the most peaceful time on the islands.
Islands In Sri Lanka - FAQs
The best time to visit Sri Lanka is between December and April as the weather is pleasant. People can explore the various attractions the place has to offer.
Kirala Island, Rock Islands, Katchatheevu Island, Nainativu Island and Puliyanthivu Island are some of the islands in Sri Lanka, people should explore.
Rock islands and Pigeon islands are the two places' people can enjoy scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing.
Kirala Island is the one island people can have their private parties and have the best time of their lives.
Ferry is one of the most ideal ways of traveling to the islands. People will have the best time of their lives and will never have a dull moment.
Yes, it is one of the most ideal holiday destinations people should visit at least once in a lifetime.
People can go shopping and spend a day on some of the beaches in Sri Lanka. It is the most ideal way of having fun on vacation.
People can explore the island in June and enjoy all the various activities it has to offer.
