Adam's Bridge Marine National Park

Adam's Bridge, also called Rama's Bridge, is a chain of limestone shoals and sandbanks running some 48 kilometres from Mannar Island to India's Pamban Island, mostly submerged but with several banks exposed at low water. Geological evidence suggests it was once a land connection between India and Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan section became a marine national park in 2015, protecting seagrass beds, dugongs, dolphins and enormous numbers of migratory birds using the sandbanks.

What's there

• The sandbanks - exposed shoals in a chain running west towards India.
• The seagrass beds - dugong habitat in the shallow water around the banks.
• The migratory birds - terns, gulls and waders using the banks in numbers.
• The clear shallows - very shallow turquoise water over pale sand.

When to go

December to March is the calmest and the best for birds. Boats depend entirely on sea conditions and are cancelled often. Summer is hot and the light is harsh.

Things to know

Boat access requires a permit and is frequently cancelled for weather. There is no infrastructure and no shade on the banks. Landing is restricted in parts of the park.

Nearby

Talaimannar is at the eastern end, and Mannar town is east.

Key facts