Attractions

Sand Dunes of Kavutharimunai in Pooneryn Peninsula (පූනරීන් කවුතරිමුනෙයි වැලිපර)

Located along the Pooneryn Peninsula sandbar south of Jaffna, the Kavutharimunai sand dunes lie about 12 kilometers towards the Kalmunei Old Survey Tower. These striking coastal dunes were formed over time by abundant wind-blown sand accumulating across the vast, remote landscape.

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Map of Sand Dunes of Kavutharimunai in Pooneryn Peninsula

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If you take the less-travelled route to Jaffna through Pooneryn, you will find several places worth visiting along the sandbar of the Pooneryn Peninsula, which lies south of the Jaffna Peninsula. This landmass stretches for approximately 22 kilometres (13.7 miles). The road is unpaved, and the entire stretch consists of a sandy landscape extending towards the horizon, interrupted only occasionally by a remote house, a church, or an army checkpoint.

One of the popular stopping points along this route is the sand dunes of Kavutharimunai. Coastal sand dunes form where beaches are sufficiently wide to allow wind-blown sand to accumulate and where prevailing onshore winds carry the sand inland. Three essential conditions are required for coastal dune formation: an abundant supply of sand, winds capable of transporting the sand, and a suitable location where it can accumulate.

The sand dunes of Kavutharimunai are located approximately 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) along the sandy road leading towards the Kalmunei Old Survey Tower, situated at the edge of the Pooneryn Peninsula.

Also See

Traveling Directions to Sand Dunes of Kavutharimunai in Pooneryn Peninsula

Route from Poonaryn to Sand Dunes of Kavutharimunai

Though :
Distance :12 km
Travel time : 30 minutes
Driving directions : see on google map

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Aliyaodai Archaeological Building Ruins in Kiran (අලියාඔඩෛ පුරාවිද්‍යා ගොඩනැගිලි නටබුන්)
Located at the foot of Dorapora Hill in Aliyaodai, this Anuradhapura-period site consists of the remains of a building constructed with short, roughly finished stone pillars. Several pillars remain standing in their original positions alongside fallen ones. […]
Aliyaodai Pillar Ruins in Kiran (අලියාඔඩෛ ශිලා ස්ථම්භය)
Situated in a forest valley between Dorapera and Aliyaodai hills, this site consists of a single 1.5-meter-high stone pillar measuring 27×27 cm. Featuring a topknot-style (kudumbi) top with no other surrounding surface ruins, its historical purpose remains unknown, pending sub-surface investigation. […]
Nahamcholai Buddhist Archaeological Ruins in Kiran (නාහම්චෝලෛ අසළ බෞද්ධ නටබුන්)
Situated on the Nahamcholai Mountain Range, this Early Anuradhapura-period Buddhist monastery comprises two stupa mounds, six heavily looted building platforms built with rough stones, a carved pillar fragment, and two ponds (one natural, one stone-dammed) southeast of the Miyankulam Reservoir. […]
Uththuwattai Archaeological Ruins in Kudumbimalai (කුඩුම්බිමලෛ ඌත්තුවට්ටෛ නටබුන්)
Located in Uththuwattai village, this Anuradhapura-period settlement site features six stone pillars, two of which have fallen and one that leans. Accompanied by ancient bricks and earthenware pottery fragments, the architectural remains reflect construction styles characteristic of the Anuradhapura era. […]
Ancient Reservoirs of Ethimale, Kotiyagala and Panama
Wila Oya that commences its journey from the Helabada-Bowitiya mountain range in Moneragala joins the eastern sea at Panama in Ampara District. Wila Oya catchment gets its importance because its development history dates back to Dutugemunu era. Major irrigations schemes that are currently in operation in the Wila Oya catchment are Ethimale Wewa, Kotiyagala Wewa and Panama Wewa reservoirs. […]
Keridamadu Archaeological Site in Mullaitivu
Ruins of a building from the Anuradhapura era were discovered at tje Keridamadu Archaeological Site in Mulativu. The site features sculpted torsos of life-sized Buddha and Avalokiteshvara statues carved from limestone. A large circular stone flower pedestal found at this site has been moved to a Hindu kovil ground at the Mannakandal junction. […]
Kuda Vilachchiya Wewa and its Ruins Inside Wilpattu
Kuda Vilachchiya Wewa in Wilpattu features Sri Lanka’s largest ancient Bisokotuwa (water-control sluice), built around 2,000 years ago. Its intact stone riprap, twin sluices, and spillway demonstrate exceptional early engineering, though the remote site suffered significant damage from treasure hunters in 2013. […]
Mahavilachchiya Wewa Reservoir of Anuradhapura Kingdom (මහවිලච්චිය වැව)
Constructed by prince Saliya, son of king Dutugemunu (161-131 BC) in the 140 BC, Mahavilachchiya Wewa lies on the north-east boarder of Wilpattu National Park. This irrigation reservoir has been built by daming the Thalawa Oya which is a tributary of Modaragam Oya. […]
Kurunegala Ethugala Viharaya and the Buddha Statue (කුරුණෑගල ඇතුගල විහාරය)
Ethugala, the iconic "Elephant Rock," towers 325 meters over Kurunegala. Crowned by a majestic 88-foot white Buddha statue, it offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the city and lake. Whether you hike the stone steps or drive up, it is a serene sanctuary perfect for spiritual reflection and stunning sunset photography. […]
Pethangoda Bamboo Grove – Where the King Rajasinhe met his fate (පෙතන්ගොඩ උණ පඳුර)
Pethangoda Bamboo Grove where King Rajasinhe 1, the "King of Lions" of Sitawaka Kingdom met his fate in 1591 AD on his return from the battle with Konnapu Bandara. […]
Galle Lighthouse (ගාල්ල ප්‍රදීපාගාරය)
The Galle lighthouse is situated inside the landmark Galle Fort. It is built seven metres above the road on the ramparts. This is Sri Lanka's oldest light station dating back to 1848, but the original lighthouse was destroyed by fire in 1934. […]
Dedigama Kota Vehera : Suthigara Chethiya (දැඩිගම කොට වෙහෙර)
Dedigama Kota Vehera has not being subject to any major renovation but during excavations it has been found that the stupa is built on top of another smaller stupa. The smaller stupa was found closer to the pesa walalu on the eastern side. […]
Nathagane Ancient Monastery, Fortress and Temple Complex (නාථගනේ පුරාණ ලෙන් විහාරය නටබුන්)
Nathagane is an ancient Sri Lankan village featuring a historic mountain complex used as a fortress, royal refuge, and Buddhist monastery since the 2nd–3rd century BCE. Associated with King Walagamba and warlord Veediya Bandara, the site retains ancient cave temples and archaeological ruins. […]
Japanese Peace Pagoda In Rumassala (ගාල්ල රූමස්සල ජපන් සාම චෛත්‍යය)
Rumassala is a captivating blend of Rāmāyaṇa legends and colonial history near Unawatuna. From Hanumān’s dropped Himalayan fragment to Arthur C. Clarke’s magnetic anomalies, this hill radiates mystery. Atop its slopes, the Sama Cetiya Peace Pagoda, symbolizing a global movement for harmony and resilience, offers spiritual serenity and panoramic ocean views. […]
Karagahagedara Ambalama (කරගහගෙදර අම්බලම)
Near Narammala, the Panapitiya and Karagahagedara ambalamas serve as historic roadside shelters. Set among scenic paddy fields, these ancient structures historically provided weary travelers with rest and water while functioning as vibrant community hubs for local villagers to meet and converse. […]
Baddegama Ambalama
Located near the Gin Ganga in Baddegama, the Baddegama Ambalama is a brick-and-mortar roadside rest house. Commemorating the June 22, 1911 coronation of King George V and Queen Mary, it features Kandyan-style roof architecture, engraved stone inscriptions, and an entrance step with Roman numerals. […]