Coconut Tree Hill

Jutting out dramatically into the Indian Ocean on the eastern edge of the bay, Coconut Tree Hill is a unique geological formation that has become one of the most photographed and iconic sights in Sri Lanka. This dome-shaped red clay cliff rises gently above the water, topped by a dense, uniform grove of towering coconut palm trees that lean gracefully out over the sea.

The hill can be reached by a short, pleasant walk along the beach from the main bay or via a narrow dirt path from the main road. The red earth of the hill creates a vivid visual contrast against the deep blue of the ocean and the bright green of the palm fronds above.

Because the hill is open to the sea on three sides, it provides a panoramic view across the coastline, looking down onto rocky reefs where sea turtles can often be spotted surfacing for air.