Discover the serene beauty of Casuarina Beach in Karainagar, Jaffna’s most stunning shoreline. Walk far into its crystal-clear shallows, feel the gentle waves, and relax beneath whispering Casuarina trees—a peaceful coastal escape just 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) from Jaffna.
Jaffna Peninsula is home to several beautiful beaches, with Casuarina Beach in Karainagar often regarded as the finest among them. Located on the northern side of Karativu Island—one of the largest islands in the peninsula—the beach is connected to the mainland by a causeway. The name of the beach appears in several spellings, including Casoorina and Cashoorina.
Once untouched due to restricted access during the LTTE conflict, the beach has become a popular attraction since the end of the war. Although increased visitation has slightly affected its pristine condition, a swim at Casuarina Beach remains a must for anyone visiting Jaffna. The water here is remarkably shallow, allowing visitors to wade far out into the calm, clear sea as gentle waves roll towards the shore.
Local fishermen use traditional flat boats called kattumarams, crafted from wooden logs and resembling half a boat, to navigate the shallow waters and reach nearby prawn farms.
The beach is believed to have derived its name from the Casuarina trees (Kasa gas) that line its shore. Situated about 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) from Jaffna, it takes approximately 45 minutes to reach by vehicle.
Also See
- Attractions of Sri Lanka
- Heritage of Sri Lanka
- Waterfalls of Sri Lanka
- Nature and Wildlife of Sri Lanka
- Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity
Map of Casuarina Beach in Jaffna
The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites
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Traveling Directions to Casuarina Beach in Jaffna
Jaffna can be reached through two principal routes. The most commonly used approach is via Elephant Pass, which has long served as the traditional gateway to the Jaffna Peninsula.
An alternative route reaches Jaffna from the direction of Pooneryn by crossing the Sangupiddy Bridge. This crossing follows what was historically the ancient route to the peninsula before the construction of modern highways. The route provides a connection between Jaffna and the Mannar region.
| Route 01 from Colombo to Jaffna Through Kurunegala (Popular Route) | Route 02 from Colombo to Jaffna Through Puttalam and Pooneryn (Lesser Traveled Route) |
| Through : Kurunegala – Dambulla – Anuradhapura – Vavuniya Distance: 410 km Travel Time: 7-8 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps. | Through: Puttalam – Thantirimale – Mannar – Poonaryn Distance: 408 km Travel Time: 8 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps. |
| Route from Jaffna Fort |
| distance :22 km Travel time : 40 mins Driving directions : see on google map |
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