Trincomalee guards one of the finest natural harbours in Asia and carries a history of remarkable layered complexity. The beaches at Nilaveli and Uppuveli just north of the city are long, uncrowded, and facing exceptionally clear water. The clifftop Koneswaram Temple, the Kanniya Hot Springs, and Pigeon Island Marine Park for snorkelling make Trincomalee far more than a coastal stopover. For Gap Ceylon Travelers’ east coast itineraries, it is the anchor.