Passikuda beach, Beach on the east coast of Sri Lanka, in Kalkudah
Passikuda Beach is a long, flat stretch of pale sand on the east coast of Sri Lanka, near the village of Kalkudah. The water stays very shallow far out from shore, which makes it stand out among the island's beaches.
Passikuda was a small fishing village for decades and remained off the radar for most travelers. It was only after the end of the civil war in 2009 that the area began to open up to tourism and new hotels started to appear along the shore.
The Passikuda area is predominantly Tamil, and small Hindu temples dot the coastline nearby. The Sri Munai Murukan Kovil temple sits facing the beach and is one of the few places where visitors can observe local religious life just steps from the water.
The best time to visit is between February and October, when the weather on the east coast is dry and sunny. Modest clothing is appreciated on the public sections of the beach, and sunscreen is a good idea given how strong the sun can be.
At some points along the shore, you can walk a long way into the sea and the water will still only reach your waist, which is rare for a beach this size. Cows also sometimes wander across the public part of the beach, making a walk along the shore a slightly unexpected experience.
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