Kankesanthurai Beach — Attraction in Northern Province

Kankesanturai Beach (often called KKS Beach) is truly one of the hidden gems in the northern coast of Sri Lanka. Located just a short drive from Jaffna town, this beach offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty that makes it stand out from many other coastal destinations on the island.

The shoreline here is wide, peaceful, and less crowded compared to the southern and western beaches of Sri Lanka. This gives visitors a chance to experience a more authentic and serene atmosphere. The golden sands and the crystal-clear waters make it perfect for a long, relaxing walk, sunbathing, or simply sitting down to watch the endless horizon of the Indian Ocean. The gentle waves make swimming generally safe, and the shallow waters are inviting even for families with children.

What makes KKS Beach even more fascinating is its location. The area has a rich history, with remnants of old colonial structures and the famous Kankesanturai Harbour nearby. It is a place where you can not only enjoy the ocean but also reflect on the cultural and historical importance of the region. The local community is very welcoming, and you will often see fishermen at work, giving you a glimpse of traditional northern livelihoods.

If you are traveling to Jaffna, I highly recommend setting aside time to visit Kankesanturai Beach. It is peaceful, beautiful, and still feels untouched compared to many tourist-heavy spots. For those looking to discover an authentic and relaxing northern Sri Lankan beach experience, KKS is...

Great place to visit Kankesanthurai (Tamil: காங்கேசன்துறை, Sinhala: කන්කසන්තුරේ, lit. Port Kankesan), colloquially known as KKS, is a port suburb, fishing division and resort hub of the Jaffna District, Northern Province, Sri Lanka. Formerly an electoral district, Kankesanthurai is home to the Kankesanthurai beach, Keerimalai Naguleswaram temple (a Pancha Ishwaram) and the Maviddapuram Kandaswamy Temple. The port's harbour has served as an arrival and departure point for pilgrims since classical antiquity and is named after the Sri Lankan Tamil god Murukan. Kankesanthurai suburb has many fishing villages and Grama Niladhari (village officers) and is a northern part of Valikamam, one of the three regions of ancient habitation on the Jaffna peninsula, located on the peninsula's northern coast, 12 miles from Jaffna city, 85 miles from Mannar and 155 miles from Trincomalee.

A popular tourist destination for its temples, its sandy, palm tree filled coastal stretch of beach and the Keerimalai Springs, other prominent landmarks in Kankesanthurai include the suburb's natural harbour, its fort and lighthouse.

During the 8th century renovation of the Maviddapuram Kandaswamy Temple by the Chola-Pandyan princess Mathurapuraveeravalli, the temple's statue of Kankesan (Murugan) was brought via the port of Gayathurai which was later renamed Kankesanthurai in his honour.Thurai means "port" in Sri...

Perfect place for fun and enjoy.. cool waves and soft sand average depth are main plus points of this beach.. also no need to worry about sea shells and jelly fishes (not all the time)... small rocks might be there in some places.. easiest public transport service to the place is train.. you may take the train from Jaffna town.. or all trains coming to Jaffna from Colombo will end with this station (double check the availability of return train) in addition to the bathing there is a good natural view is there.. you can walk for some long distance in this beach area.. also there is an exercise area for public also there in this beach area.. If you come to this place by road.. you can see some more places on your way like Hanumar temple in maradhanarmadam.. also Keerimalai temple is a nearest popular place to this beach.. if you are visiting this beach don't miss other beautiful locations in Jaffna area.. also there are many historical areas located near to this beach.. it is better to visit this place in evenings times or much better to visit in early morning hours.. we can't expect fishing of other activities near to this place.. also there is restaurant called Yall Dhevi in this beach area.. it is a restaurant build using an old train...