Mannar Island
Destination
Overview
Explore the sights that offer their distinctive character to Mannar. The scenic town delivers the variety of sights that any tourist would imagine, meshing the special facets of local culture and history with the abundance of nature's effortless abundance.
Mesh the unique facets
Activists and excursions
Thiruketheeswaram Kovil
Thiruketheeswaram Kovil
Located almost in the middle of nowhere, except by a beautiful little lake, is the kovil dedicated to Lord Shiva! Supposedly dating back to pre-Vijaya, this ancient temple is now under renovation, even though, it's still absolutely worth a visit.
Giant tank fishing
Giant tank fishing
Built by King Dhatusena in the 5th century, the Giant's Tank in Mannar is believed to be one of the greatest sights of the area. Explore the tank on a fishing boat and even reel in a fish or two for a more authentic experience.
Giants tank Sanctuary
Giants tank Sanctuary
Home to the legendary Yoda Wewa, the Giant’s Tank Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary covering an area of 10,700 acres in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. So, take a stroll through and take in the serenity of the area.
Adams Bridge
Adams Bridge
Explore Adam's Bridge, also known as Rama's Bridge or Rama Setu, which is a chain of limestone shoals, between Pamban Island, off the south-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu, India, and Mannar Island. Geological evidence suggests that this bridge is a former land connection between India and Sri Lanka. This is a must visit if you are traveling to Mannar.
Crabs and lobsters
Crabs and lobsters
Savour the taste of a variety of free range prawns and shrimp squid lobster and blue crab meat from the warm blue Indian ocean and experience a glimpse of Island life in a platter.
Snorkel the reefs
Snorkel the reefs
The world underwater is nothing like you’ve ever known; from seeing a school of fish dart past you in a blur of fantastic colour, to witnessing towers of coral reefs hide a mysterious variety of sea life, snorkel the reefs of Mannar.
The fort of Mannar
The fort of Mannar
On the southern tip of Mannar Island, just outside of its main town, Mannar Fort offers stunning views over the ocean between itself and the mainland of Sri Lanka.
Adam and Eve’s grave
Adam and Eve’s grave
Found on the Island of Mannar is 'Adam's Tomb', a place of sanctity, supposedly to be the tombs of Adam and Eve. Visit the holy grounds and witness it yourself.
Our Lady of Madu
Our Lady of Madu
The Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu is considered the holiest Catholic shrine in Sri Lanka, possessing a history that goes back for more than 400 years. Situated in the Mannar district, this Roman Catholic shrine to the Virgin Mary is a major centre of worship and pilgrimage for the country’s Tamil and Sinhalese Catholic population.
Keeri Beach
Keeri Beach
Keeri Beach is known to locals for its sunny location and excellent swimming spots. The beach is bordered by a small forest of palm trees that is home to several tribes of monkeys.
Donkey Clinic
Donkey Clinic
The Donkey Clinic and Education Centre was established with the intention of aiding donkeys who were abandoned and seen suffering on the streets of Mannar. The donkeys are victims of injury and cruelty, typically to road traffic accidents.
Talaimannar port and lighthouse
Talaimannar port and lighthouse
Mannar Island Lighthouse is a lighthouse in Talaimannar on Mannar Island in northern Sri Lanka. Built in 1915, the picturesque white lighthouse has a round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery and is must a visit on your trip to Mannar.
Weaving Palmyra
Weaving Palmyra
A speciality of Mannar is its famous Palmyra weaving. Mingle with the busy local ladies and have a once in a lifetime opportunity to weave something yourself.
Baobab Tree
Baobab Tree
Out of the thirty odd Baobabs in Mannar the tree at Pallimunai is supposed to be the largest and with a known age of around 700 years. Click a snap with this fascinating tree with so much of horizontal growth that has occurred over centuries making it almost 21 meters in girth.
Birdwatching
Birdwatching
Visit the large waterbird population that hosts more than 20,000 waterbirds during the migratory season and spot several rare birds, including the spot-billed duck, the comb duck, the long-toed stint, peregrine falcons and the very rare Eastern Black-tailed Godwit.
Kunchukulam hanging bridge
Kunchukulam hanging bridge
Close to the turn off to the Madu Church, lies and old hanging bridge across the Malwathu Oya in the area of Kunchikulama. Visit this magnificent bridge, click a few snaps and gather life long memories.
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