Jaffna
Point Pedro
The northernmost tip of Sri Lanka — a lighthouse, a fishing town, and the end of the island.
November to April
Best time to visit
Accessible at all times; fish market busiest 6–9 a.m.
Opening hours
Free
Entrance fee
Point Pedro is the northernmost point of Sri Lanka — a fact that adds a certain weight to being there, though the place does not advertise it. It is a fishing town first and a geographic curiosity second. The lighthouse sits at Pedduru Thurei, the actual northernmost tip, on a low promontory of coral rock where the sea runs in from three directions.
The town has the atmosphere of a place that has been through significant disruption and is rebuilding carefully. The fishing economy has recovered; the harbour is active in the mornings and the fish market off the main road is worth a look if you arrive before eight.
The road to Point Pedro from Jaffna runs along the northern edge of the peninsula, passing through the towns of Manipay and Chavakachcheri and then out onto the flat, windswept plain. The palmyra grove thins and the land opens up. The Hindu shrines along this road are often small and interesting precisely because of their modesty.
Point Pedro is most interesting when combined with Keerimalai and a drive along the northern coastal road — a loose half-day circuit that covers the full sweep of the peninsula's tip.
What to know
Visiting quietly
- Best season
- November to April
- Etiquette
- Photograph the lighthouse and the working harbour, but avoid photographing fishermen at close range without a quiet word first.
- Getting there
- 1 hour from Jaffna by road
A closer look
Location
On the map
Nearby
On the same circuit
Practical things
Frequently asked
Is Point Pedro worth the drive from Jaffna?
Planning a visit to Point Pedro?
Begin a quiet conversation
Enquire about an Abiholiday villa nearby and Abi will help you plan your trip to the North.
We reply within 24 hours, usually within a few hours.Your enquiry comes straight to Abi's inbox.