Visit to Nainativu Island by Boat
Sum up
Take a short boat trip to Nainativu, only 35 miles from the coast of India, to visit the most important island in the Jaffna archipelago for travellers seek to understand more about Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage.
Duration: 2 hours
Best Time: Year-round
Additional Information
Nainativu, covered by palm trees, is one of the smallest inhabited islands in the Gulf of Mannar, only 4 sq km in size and has a population of around 3,000 people. The name of the island alludes to the folklore inhabitants, the Naga people, considered one of the first tribes in Sri Lanka.
Take a 30-minute boat ride to the island from Jaffna and visit two of the most sacred sites in the area, the Hindu shrine, the Nagapooshani Amman Temple and the Nagadeeda Vihare which is believed to have been visited by Buddha after enlightenment to settle a dispute between two “Naga” kings. This is a holy place and requires respectful behaviour. The stupa is said to contain the throne which began the stand-off, a Buddha statue, museum and sacred Bo tree.
A shorter boat trip on converted fishing boats is available from Kurikadduwan after a drive that crosses two causeways connecting the neighbouring islands Pundukutivu and Kayts with the mainland.
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