Palmyrah House · The undiscovered North

Discover Mannar Island and Beyond

There is an abundance of things to do and attractions in Mannar. Whether nature inspired, a bird watcher, active relaxer or culture seeker, the relatively undiscovered North of Sri Lanka has much to be explored and memories to be made — and Palmyrah House is the ideal base for bird watching in Mannar.

25 outings, logged from the gate · Mannar Island
  1. Entry 01

    Korakulam Wetland

    A large open wetland, a refuge and sanctuary for water birds during the migratory season — a sanctuary being rapidly destroyed by human encroachment.

    8 km away
  2. Entry 02

    Mannar Salt Pans & Keeri Beach

    The salt pans are home to hundreds of Greater Flamingos that arrive in Mannar by early November and depart by late March. The Beach Road makes for excellent birding and a pleasant drive, and the coastline offers excellent sea-bathing between November and April.

    14 – 16 km away
  3. Entry 03

    Erukkalampiddy Lagoon Environs

    On the north-eastern arm of the island, home to thousands of waders and shorebirds during the migratory season — and the largest repository of mangroves in Mannar.

    7 km away
  4. Entry 04

    Ranapadu Fishing Village & Lagoon

    Trek the gravel track through Acacia shrub forests to the sleepy fishing hamlet of Ranapadu, then walk the Pudukudyirrippu Lagoon for some fantastic birding during the migratory season.

    2 km away
  5. Entry 05

    Mannar Causeway

    The only road and bridgeway linking Mannar Island to the mainland of Sri Lanka — home to thousands of migratory birds during the months of October through April.

    13 – 20 km away
  6. Entry 06

    Thiruketheeswaram (Paalavi) Tank

    The ancient Paalavi Tank near Thiruketheeswaram Kovil, with rare ducks and water birds swimming in the calm, sacred waters.

    20 km away
  7. Entry 07

    Thallady Junction Ponds

    These two ponds are home to many duck species and other water birds during the migratory season.

    16.5 km away
  8. Entry 08

    Vankalai Ramsar Wetland

    Another fantastic site for thousands of waders and flamingos during the season.

    17 – 21 km away
  9. Entry 09

    Urumalai

    A unique area of the island of Mannar — the terrestrial gateway to Adam’s Bridge, the chain of islands spanning the tip of Mannar to Pamban Island in India.

    21 km away
  10. Entry 10

    Mannar Fort

    A historic 16th-century fortress held in succession by the Portuguese, Dutch and British.

    12 km away
  11. Entry 11

    Arippu Fort

    The crumbling 300-year-old ruin of an old fort of the Portuguese, Dutch and British, respectively.

    38 km away
  12. Entry 12

    The Doric Bungalow at Arippu

    The century-old crumbling ruin of the bungalow of Sir Frederic North, then Governor of Ceylon, used in supervising the pearl fishery.

    40 km away
  13. Entry 13

    Dwarf Baobab Tree

    A massive Baobab tree (Adansonia digitata) with a circumference of 20.8 metres — the largest in Sri Lanka, with many more large Baobabs dotted around the island.

    13 km away
  14. Entry 14

    Thalaimannar

    Visit the historic pier, now a derelict reminder of better times, the new lighthouse and the old rusting oil-fired lighthouse, as well as “Adam and Eve’s Graves”.

    17 – 20 km away
  15. Entry 15

    Kunchikulam Bay Arch & Suspension Bridges

    A gravel road near the Madhu Shrine turn-off leads to the diversionary canal of the Malwathu Oya feeding the Giant’s Tank, built by the British colonials, and the suspension bridge spanning the river that villagers used before a modern bridge was established.

    52 km away
  16. Entry 16

    Yodha Wewa / Giant’s Tank

    An ancient 1,500-year-old irrigation tank of scenic beauty, constructed by the ancient kings of Ceylon.

    32.5 km away
  17. Entry 17

    Thalaimannar Pier

    Abandoned in 1984, now a crumbling derelict of the times when a ferry service ran between India and Sri Lanka.

    18 km away
  18. Entry 18

    Adam’s Bridge

    The chain of 16 sand-banks connecting Sri Lanka (Thalaimannar) to India (Rameswaram).

    20 km away
  19. Entry 19

    Donkey Clinic and Farm at Olaithoduvai

    Experience the rare opportunity to physically interact and touch-feel-pet a donkey at this wonderful centre caring for donkeys in need.

    3 km away
  20. Entry 20

    Thiruketheeswaram Kovil

    A 2,000-year-old Hindu temple, one of the five Shivan (Pancha Eeshwaram) kovils in Sri Lanka dedicated to Lord Shiva.

    20 km away
  21. Entry 21

    Our Queen of Martyrs Church, Thottaveli

    A Catholic shrine dedicated to the 700 Catholic souls slaughtered by the King of Jaffna in the 1540s.

    4.5 km away
  22. Entry 22

    Lady of Lourdes Church

    The original home of the statue of the Virgin Mary, now in the Madu Shrine.

    20 km away
  23. Entry 23

    Adampan Organic Farm

    A fully self-contained organic farm run by an enterprising local — a source of produce for the hotel.

    26 km away
  24. Entry 24

    Pesalai Fishing Village

    Home to hundreds of fishing trawlers, this area of Mannar is always a hive of activity for the fisherfolk — and a favourite hang-out for thousands of gulls and terns during the migratory season.

    4 km away
  25. Entry 25

    Our Lady of Madu Shrine

    One of the two holiest Catholic shrines in Sri Lanka, with a nearly 400-year history.

    59 km away
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Days arranged from the house — guides, drivers, flasks and timings all handled stop say which entries tempt you stop

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