You know how some places look great in photos but feel underwhelming in real life? Trincomalee is NOT one of those places. What surprised me the most was the simple things that turned out to be genuinely special. 

Uppuveli Sunrise 
I've experienced many beautiful sunrises, and this one was one of the best. I dragged my friends to Uppuveli Beach before dawn, determined to catch the perfect sunrise.

We walked barefoot on the cool sand and waited for the sky to change colours. The best surprise was the cute little puppies sleeping right next to us. It was a happy struggle dividing attention between watching the sunrise, the fishermen's boats that looked straight out of a movie scene with birds flying across the horizon, and the puppies curling up to keep themselves warm. It was a core memory.

The sky changed slowly, first a pale glow, then streaks of pink and orange, then gold spreading over the water. By the time the sun was fully up, the cold had faded, replaced by that first warmth of the day. I just sat there, watching everything unfold around me and lived in the moment. 

Koneswaram Temple
This temple is special, unlike any other. Maybe it's because it’s built on a cliff and has the most beautiful views. Nope, I changed my mind, it's not a maybe, that's definitely the reason why. The cliff drops straight down to the ocean, the endless ocean, and right below are the most beautiful shades of blue. It almost looks unreal. I've not seen so many shades of blue before. 

This temple has very interesting stories too. People say Ravana built this. Is there proof? I don’t really know, but maybe he did. There's something about this place that makes you believe in things.
I sat under the shade of a tree for what felt like hours, just watching, listening, and taking it all in. No thoughts, no plans, just the kind of quiet that settles into your bones.

Pigeon Island 
You have to take a boat ride to get to the island. It was quick, maybe 10 minutes, but the water was choppy enough that we all got sprayed. Nobody minded. The salt felt good in the heat. 

We went to Pigeon Island for two things. Snorkelling and scuba diving, but it was much more than just that. It is a tiny paradise with powdery sand and waters so clear you can see fish swimming around your feet. 

There's so much shade to keep you protected from the sun when you need to take a break and cool down. Apart from swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving, you can also do a small hike to the viewpoint. It's not far, but the sun makes it feel longer. Worth it though. From the top, you see how small the island really is, just a speck in all that blue.

Scuba diving 
I’d never tried scuba diving before. The idea was scary, but life’s about facing fears, right? That’s what I kept repeating to myself during training. 

When we finally sank, I panicked for a second. Then I remembered to breathe. And suddenly, silence. Just the sound of my bubbles rising, sunlight slicing through the water in shining streaks, fish swimming around and me, floating weightless in this quiet, magical world. 

The best moment was when I stopped fighting the weirdness of breathing underwater and just let it happen. After a while, it didn’t feel like the scary adventure I thought it would be. It was just... peaceful.

Snorkelling 
If scuba is not for you and you like keeping things easy, snorkelling is the way to go. No heavy scuba gear… justa  mask, fins and snorkel.

The water's usually warm. You wade in, float on your stomach, and look down. Suddenly, there are fish everywhere, little blue ones, striped yellow ones, and even the occasional turtle munching on seaweed.
Having a good guide helps. They'll point to the best spots and even spot reef sharks for you.  

There you go, there are my top 5 must-try experiences in Trinco. Try them, have a great time, and above all, stay safe! 

Bonus tip - Picadeli ice cream has some amazing ice cream flavours to beat the heat