Point Pedro Lighthouse

Overview

Point Pedro is the northernmost town in Sri Lanka and the Point Pedro Lighthouse marks the northern tip of the island — the geographical counterpart to Dondra Head in the south. The lighthouse stands on a low rocky headland above the Indian Ocean at the northernmost protrusion of the Jaffna Peninsula, and the flat, open landscape of the northern tip creates a setting of stark, elemental beauty. The lighthouse is a functioning navigational aid and its white tower against the blue sky and the open ocean horizon provides a classic lighthouse photograph. Standing at Point Pedro — knowing that the next land mass in the direction you are facing is Tamil Nadu — creates the same quality of geographical milestone experience that the southernmost and easternmost points provide: the island’s end.

Highlights

• Sri Lanka’s northernmost point — the lighthouse at the island’s tip
• The open ocean view toward India (Tamil Nadu visible on clear days)
• Classic white lighthouse on a low rocky headland
• The flat, stark landscape of the northern tip has a distinctive beauty
• A geographic milestone — the northernmost point of the island
• The working lighthouse guides ships through the Palk Strait
• The drive through the northern peninsula to reach it is scenic
• The counterpart to Dondra Head (south), Point Pedro (north), and Sangaman Kanda (east)

Best Time to Visit

Clear days for the clearest ocean views. Year-round for the landmark.

Activities

• Northernmost point milestone visit
• Lighthouse photography
• Ocean horizon views toward India
• Combined with Keerimalai Sacred Springs

Suitable For

Geography enthusiasts, photographers, milestone seekers, all visitors to the northern tip

Nearby Attractions

• Keerimalai Sacred Springs (10 min drive)
• Vallipuram Temple Ruins (20 min drive)
• Jaffna town (45 min drive)
• Chundikulam Bird Sanctuary (50 min drive)
• Nallur Temple (50 min drive)

Travel Tips

• Combine with Keerimalai Springs for a complete northern tip day
• The drive north from Jaffna through the flat peninsula is scenic
• Tamil Nadu (India) is visible on clear days from the lighthouse headland
• The lighthouse is an active navigational aid — exterior viewing only
• The flat, windy northern tip landscape is very different from the rest of Sri Lanka