Fort Frederick sits on the east side of the Trincomalee Town. First used by the Portuguese in 1624 and later by the Dutch, in 1803 it was named by the British in honour of Frederick, Duke of York. British fortifications over a century old can be found around the grounds of the Fort.

At the northern tip of Fort Frederick is a cliff known as “Swami Rock” which drops around 360 feet (110 meters) directly into the sea below. On its topmost pinnacle is the Tirukonesvaram Kovil. Colourful “Poojas” or services are conducted here at dusk.

An unfounded legend talks about this point also being a “Lover’s Leap” due to a heartbroken Dutch girl casting herself from the cliff into the ocean below, as she watched her faithless lover sail away. The view of the natural harbour and the ocean is breathtaking from these locations.

If you revel in getting “up close and personal” with the marine life and coral which abound in these waters, you could hire the equipment you need for such an expedition from the PADI Center located at the Nilaveli Beach Hotel.

Trincomalee is also to become an “Ocean City” and the island’s “Whale Capital” – with good reason. The waters around this area are famous for Whale Watching. More than 12 different species of these giant Mammals are found in these seas. They include the Common Blue Whale, Bryde’s Whale and the Sperm Whale.

Pigeon Island, a few hundred meters offshore from the Nilaveli beach, is an ideal location for half-day snorkeling excursions. A 10-minute boat ride gets you to this island which was once used by the British Navy for gunnery practice.

Pigeon Island is the breeding site for the Blue Rock Pigeon. Explore the natural salt water pool among the rocks or pack a picnic lunch and play Robinson Crusoe – and if you believe it takes two to tango, take along your Girl Friday – the choice is yours…