SEPTEMBER 2026
OVERVIEW
Please read our Sri Lanka Tour post to get the overview of what we are doing, general information, tips, tricks, and traps.
We have already done:
It is time to move on to Kalkudah (Pasikuda Beach).
KALKUDAH (PASIKUDA BEACH)
GETTING THERE
Kalkudah is about 37kms north of Batticaloa. I was in a remote location in Batti going to a remote location in Kalkudah … I wasn’t going to ‘muck around’ … I booked another UBER Tuk Tuk to take me door-to-door. The price was 3,100r.
ABOUT
WEATHER
Although this is said to be ‘low season’ in Kalkudah, it was sunny every day with clear skies … with a welcoming sea breeze that strengthened nicely at sunset. The rains don’t start until October.
GEOGRAPHY
Kalkudah (rock-bay) is a coastal resort town located north of Batticaloa. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami severely damaged the tourist infrastructure. They are recovering and tourists are starting to return.
Kalkudah is renowned for its 2-kilometer stretch of golden sand at Pasikuda Beach protected by an offshore reef that creates calm, shallow waters extending over a kilometer offshore, ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. The area offers opportunities for snorkeling.
SCOOTER / BICYCLE RENTAL
There are 5+ Scooter Rental places listed on Google Maps. My hotel organised mine. I rented a Bicycle at 1,000r / day and a Scooter for 3,000r / day … both delivered to my hotel.
I rented from Pasi Travels Hub. This is a really nice young guy who is starting up his own business.
My scooter was the best scooter that I have rented in 12 years of full time travel. I can highly recommend this guy. Contact him on Whatsapp: +94 76 660 9933. He also offers excellent prices on inter-city Tuk Tuk travel.
THE BEACHES
I had a look around the Pasikuda and Kalkudah Beach areas on my rental bicycle. The area is as flat as a pancake and easy to cycle.
Kalkudah Beach (near my hotel) was very nice and clean. So was the Pasikuda Beach around the expensive resorts. The extremities of both get a bit more ‘shabby’. I cannot recommend the area further north around Elephant Rock Beach (albeit, the Sunset View Point is nice to visit at sunset).
The area is very quiet but you will see lots of tuk tuks waiting in the popular spots and outside of upmarket hotels if you need transport. Alternatively, get onto UBER or PICKME.
You will find a few restaurants and a few small convenience stores scattered around (the latter don’t sell much more than water, soft drinks, and snacks). You should be able to walk to both within 5-10 minutes of your hotel.
INTERESTING NOTE: My landlord told me that the coral reef in front of Pasikuda Beach is (now) artificial. The reef in front of Kalkudah Beach is still natural.
THE WIDER AREA
I jumped on my rental scooter and had a few hours looking around the areas around Kalkudah.
Nasiyanthivu Island was pleasant but, to be honest, there really isn’t much else to see.
ACTIVITIES
Here is a selection of what is on offer.
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A bit ‘pricey’ in my opinion.
EAT & DRINK
There are plenty of cheap restaurants where you can get a simple vegetable meal for about 1,000r. Add meat and add another 1,000r. Go for seafood and you will be in the 3,000r+.
If you do find a restaurant that sells alcohol, expect to pay DOUBLE the shop price … e.g. a 500ml can of Tiger is 800r-1,000r.
ACCOMMODATION
WHERE TO STAY
GRANDPAckers will find many hotels within our price range at this time of year.
The bulk of these are in the top-right-hand-corner … but is this a good place to stay?
I suggest the following:
The Red Shaded Area is central Pasikuda Beach where you only find up-market beachfront hotels … it is a very nice beach, but these hotels are too expensive for GRANDPAckers.
I suggest that you look in the Green Shaded Area around the Baden Beach Hotel. This part of Kalkudah Beach is as good as Pasikuda Beach and you will find a good selection of restaurants and grocery stores within walking distance.
The Yellow Shaded Area offers well-priced hotels which also have restaurants and grocery stores within walking distance … but these are further away from a nice beach.
The Orange Shaded Area is worth a look (purely for accommodation) but you will, most probably, need your own transport.
MY ACCOMMODATION
I found the Baden Beach Resort on Google Maps but I was concerned about its remote location.
I found their phone number and contacted them directly on Whatsapp to ask if they had bicycle or scooter rental. They said yes. A bicycle rents for 1,000r. A scooter for 3,000r plus petrol.
They offered me a Double Room with Sea View, Private Bathroom, and Terrace (no breakfast). The ‘book direct’ price was 9,000r with A/C or 6,000r with Fan. I am not a fan of A/C … so, I booked with Fan.
The Baden had direct access to Kalkudah Beach.
This part of the beach is well maintained and clear of trash.
CONCLUSION
If you want a ‘chill’, beach holiday, Kalkudah offers 2 good beaches.
Your day and your ‘social life’ will revolve around the beach and your hotel.
TTFN
