Top 10 Islands in Sri Lanka You’ve Got to Visit for a Calming Retreat!

Did you guys know this beautiful Pearl of the Indian Ocean, consists of other small offshore islands that you could visit? Well, yes! There is a lot for you to explore in Sri Lanka. The dramatic mountains, balmy waves at the beaches, historic buildings and traditional culture & architecture, won’t fail to astonish you. Sri Lanka is considered to be the world’s twenty-fifth largest island by area. It has nearly 30 plus islands clustered in the Northern and the Eastern stretches of the island. These little offshore islands can be reached by a ferry from the closest towns like Jaffna in the North and Batticaloa in the East. The ferry rides are absolutely scenic and the islands have an essence of tradition and culture. Intrigued about what this small island has to offer? Read on to know more about the top 10 islands in Sri Lanka.

Also Read: 10 best places to visit in Sri Lanka

List of top 10 islands in Sri Lanka

1. Delft Island
2. Mannar Island
3. Pigeon Island
4. Nainativu Island
5. Velanai Island
6. Baththalangunduwa Island
7. Pungudutivu Island
8. Katchatheevu Island
9. Madol Duwa
10. Kirala Island

1. Delft Island

The Delft island in Sri Lanka, is located near the Jaffna city. The ferry ride from Jaffna to Delft island is dramatic with a scenic view and it takes about 45 minutes to reach this island. The most commonly found mode of transportation within the island, are the tuk tuks. A dedicated time of two hours would suffice to explore the island. The flat surface of the island makes it hassle-free for the horses to roam around basking in the sun. Along with the alluring sight of these horses, the old Dutch stables, Pigeon nest and the Dutch fort, are some of the major attractions. You can also find the old Baobab tree which has a huge trunk and an opening that gives shelter. Most of the houses here are built with corals and all these lovely sights, make it one of the top 10 islands in Sri Lanka.

2. Mannar Island

The Mannar island is considered to be one of the largest islands of Sri Lanka and is off the coast of Jaffna. It is linked to the mainland by a causeway. On a clear day when the tides are low, you can view the neighbouring country, India from this island. It has a chain of limestone shoals that formerly used to connect with the Pamban island of India. One can also take a walk on Adam’s bridge, which gives a clearer view of India’s tip. The Mannar Island is home to many donkeys and also flamingos during the migratory season which falls between the months of November and March. Apart from this, the Mannar fort, the lighthouse and the Thaleimannar beach are the major attractions here. If you are someone who enjoys a scenic sunset, this is a must-visit place in the evenings.

Also Read: 10 most Instagrammable places in Sri Lanka

3. Pigeon Island

The Pigeon Island is located one kilometre off the coast of Trincomalee in the East. This island is one of the marine national parks of Sri Lanka. It is best known for its underwater marine life and beautiful coral reefs. This is the right place if you want to take a dip in the ocean and snorkel for a bit. The sparkling white sand along with the lush green coral gardens on the rocks is a great sight and home to many pigeons. Hence, this is one of the top 10 islands in Sri Lanka. We are here to customize your Sri lanka honeymoon packages and make your journey a memorable one.

4. Nainativu Island

The Nainativu island is again located off the coast of Jaffna in the North. This island is home to the Nagas and their folklore. The Nagapooshani Amman Temple of the Hindus and the Nagadeepa Purana Viharaya of the Buddhists are significant attractions on this island. Palmyra trees are found in abundance and it is a great place to find houses built in coral stones. This island is also ranked among the top 10 islands in Sri Lanka due to its cultural significance.

5. Velanai Island

The Velanai Island is another island that is located in the Northern stretch near Jaffna. This island was named after a Hindu god, Velan. It is sometimes referred to by its Dutch name, Leiden. The island is famous for the archaeological ruins of the ancient civilisations by the sea. It is currently home to a cluster of villages. The war memorial, St. Anthony’s church, Kayts village and Chatty beach are some of the major attractions on the island.

Also Read: 7-days Itinerary to Sri Lanka

6. Baththalangunduwa Island

This island is located a few kilometres away from the town of Kalpitiya in the Dutch Bay. The island is a thin strip ranging from about five square kilometres in size. You can reach the island by a ferry ride that takes about 3 hours from the Kalpitiya town. This island was shrouded in mystery during the ancient days and now is a thriving hotspot for fishing with 3000 inhabitants. The island is best known for camping by the beach and hence is listed among the top 10 islands of Sri Lanka.

7. Pungudutivu Island

This island is located in the North of Sri Lanka and is connected by a small road from the western peninsula of Jaffna. It was initially called the Middleburg which was named by the Dutch. This island is again home to many villages. One of the major attractions of this island is the Pungudutivu lighthouse.

Also Read: Top 7 places every traveller should see in Sri Lanka

8. Katchatheevu Island

The Katchatheevu island is located in between Jaffna, Sri Lanka and Rameshwaram, India. It is a disputed land that belonged to India in the earlier days. Now, it is a part of Sri Lanka and the major attraction of this island is the St. Anthony’s church which is the only shrine on the island. The church is lit up and the place is crowded with people during festive seasons. This island can be reached by ferry and is closer to Delft island. This is one of the top 10 islands in Sri Lanka and is a must-visit to encounter a mix of the Sri Lankan Tamil culture.

9. Madol Duwa

Madol Duwa is an island in the Southern region of Sri Lanka. It is located 30 minutes away from Galle city and is situated on Koggala Lake. This is a very small island yet, draws the attention of tourists mainly because of the Madol Duwa book written by one of the renowned authors, Martin Wickramasinghe. His imaginative thoughts about this island is what makes it a tourist hotspot and hence is one among the top 10 islands in Sri Lanka.

Also read: 10 must do things to do in Sri Lanka

10. Kirala Island

On the western coast of Sri Lanka, is Kirala island. It is situated on Bologna lake, close to Colombo, the capital city. This island can be reached by ferry transfer. It has a restaurant that is open till midnight and has a wide range of food varieties to offer. If you are travelling with your friends or family, this is a must-visit place for a relaxed evening. The island is also famous for its other attractions like the largest train model of Sri Lanka, barbecue night with live music and fishing.

These 10 most beautiful islands with cultural and traditional significance is a must-visit on your trip to Sri Lanka. The hospitality of the locals residing in these islands will definitely amuse you. If you’re looking to travel to Sri Lanka, visit the Pickyourtrail to customise your own trip or to come across some amazing Sri Lanka tour packages.