🧭 Every country, and the places worth the trip NEW 26,489 places written across 243 countries 🎮 Guess the country As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases
Meridiela.

Point Pedro

The northernmost point of Sri Lanka, on the Jaffna peninsula, with a lighthouse and long empty beaches.

Saved in this browser only - no account, nothing sent anywhere. See your map

WhereNorthern
Nearest cityJaffna
Best seasonDecember to March
Time to allowHalf a day
Getting thereAbout 35 km northeast of Jaffna town at the peninsula's tip
EntryFree

Point Pedro is the northernmost land in Sri Lanka, a low sandy headland on the Jaffna peninsula with a lighthouse marking it and beaches running east and west that are almost entirely empty. The town behind is a working fishing settlement. Nearby is Manalkadu, a stretch of sand dunes moving inland that has half buried an old church, leaving the tower standing out of the sand.

What you actually see

  • The northernmost point - the tip of the island, marked by the lighthouse.
  • The lighthouse - the tower on the headland above the shore.
  • The Manalkadu dunes - drifting sand that has buried a church to its tower.
  • The empty beaches - long stretches of sand east and west of the point.

When to go

December to March is the most comfortable; the northeast monsoon brings rain but cooler air. Summer is severely hot with little shade. Mornings are best.

Honest expectations

The lighthouse is not open to visitors. There is very little shade anywhere on the peninsula. Facilities in the town are basic.

Nearby

Manalkadu dunes are south, and Jaffna town is southwest.

What to pack for Point Pedro

Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.

All packing kits →

Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.

← More attractions & fun in Sri Lanka

One postcard a week.

A short Friday email: one place worth knowing about, the story behind it, and what is in season right now. No noise - leave whenever you like.