Casuarina Beach

Casuarina Beach sits on the western tip of Karainagar island, about 25 kilometres north of Jaffna town across the causeway. It is the most consistently recommended beach in the peninsula: the sand is white and fine, the water is shallow and clear for a long stretch out, and the casuarina trees provide natural shade without requiring an umbrella.

The lagoon-side geography of the Northern Province means the water here is calmer than the southern beaches. There is no significant surf, and the depth stays low for 100 metres or more in some directions — children can wade out safely. The water temperature runs warm year-round, typically between 27 and 30 degrees Celsius.

The beach is busiest on weekend afternoons when Jaffna families come out. On weekday mornings — particularly in the early months of the year, before the heat sets in properly — it is nearly empty. The light at eight in the morning, with the low sun coming across the lagoon from the east, is different from midday: softer, with longer shadows on the sand.

A few food shacks operate at the northern end of the beach, serving fried fish, crab, and short eats through the day. The road to Casuarina from Jaffna crosses two causeways and takes about 40 minutes by tuk-tuk.