Sallitivu Island in Vakarai, Sri Lanka (වාකරේ සල්ලතිව් දූපත)

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The sand bar connecting the Sallitivu Island in Vakarai, just under water during the high tide

Located in Batticaloa, Sallitivu Islet is a biodiverse, uninhabited sanctuary connected to the mainland by a tidal sandbar. Encircled by coral reefs, this sensitive ecosystem features rare mangroves and endangered flora. Despite past illegal development threats, it remains a pristine coastal rest stop accessible during low tide.

Sallitivu Islet, notable for its rich biodiversity, is located in the Batticaloa District in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. It is approximately 33,000 square meters (8.2 acres) in size, 240 meters in length, and 200 meters wide at the widest section. The island is connected to the mainland over a sandbar about 200 meters in length. This sandbar is exposed during the low tide, and even during the high tide, it is only a few centimeters below the water. This island is protected by a ring of coral reef with a 200-meter-wide reef on the eastern side.

Physical Features and Usage

Sallitivu Islet is uninhabited, and there is no fresh water here. The island is used as a rest stop by the local fishermen in the area. It has a wide and pristine beach, but unfortunately, it is covered with a thick layer of washed-in coral rubble. The sandy beaches had been filled with this rubble only after the 2004 Tsunami.

Coral Reef Condition

The reef region is very shallow, 10–60 centimeters (0.1–0.6 meters / 4–24 inches) in depth. Much of the reef crest is exposed above water during the low tide. Sadly, most of the coral reef is dead, and during research, it was found that the live coral cover was less than 5%.

Biodiversity

All plant species observed on the island are native to Sri Lanka, with a total number of 50 plant species, comprising one nationally endangered, two nationally vulnerable, and four nationally near-threatened plant species. The natural habitats observed on the island support a very rich biodiversity (e.g., mangroves, coastal scrub, beach and beach-associated vegetation).

Environmental Concerns

As revealed by an environmental organization, an illegal tourism project had been initiated in 2017 under the patronage of powerful politicians, including a hotel on this highly environmentally sensitive island itself. The hotel was partially complete when the Environmental Foundation Ltd went to court against this illegal project, and finally, the relevant parties agreed to remove all the unauthorized structures on the island.

Visiting Information

If you are visiting Batticaloa, Pasikuda, Kalkuda, or Trincomalee, this is an ideal trip of half a day where you could spend a few hours on an uninhabited island enjoying the pristine beaches of Vakarai.

The sand bar connecting the Sallitivu Island in Vakarai, exposed during the low tide

Dead corals covering the island's beach at Sallitivu Island in Vakarai

Structures of the hotel before removal at Sallitivu Island in Vakarai

Also See

Islands of Sri Lanka

Map of Sallitivu Island in Vakarai, Sri Lanka

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Travel Directions to Sallitivu Island in Vakarai, Sri Lanka

Route from Trincomalee to Sallitivu Island	Route from Batticaloa to Sallitivu Island
Through : Mutur – Verugal Distance : 81 km Travel time : 2 hours Time to Spend : 1 hour Driving directions : see on google map	Through : Eravur – Oddamavadi Distance : 68 km Travel time : 1.30 hours Time to Spend : 1 hour Driving directions : see on google map

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