Hidden Sri Lanka

Mannar Baobab Tree & Historic Maritime Island Tour

Mannar Island is a historic bridge between Sri Lanka and southern India, characterized by arid palmyra landscapes, wild coastal waters, and migrating waterbirds. Highlights include the massive 700-year-old Baobab tree planted by Arab traders, the colonial Portuguese star fort overlooking the lagoon, and sandspits extending towards Adam's Bridge.

Gigantic historic baobab tree in Mannar Sri Lanka

Location: Mannar District, Northern Province
Access: Connected to mainland by a modern 3.5 km marine causeway
Tree Species: Adansonia digitata (African Baobab / Ali Gaha)
Baobab Age & Circumference: Approx. 700+ years old; over 19.5m circumference

What is the history of the Mannar Baobab tree?

Known locally in Sinhala as 'Ali Gaha' (Elephant Tree) and in Tamil as 'Perukku Maram', this colossal baobab tree was planted by Arab merchants and sailors who traded Arabian horses and spices along Sri Lanka's northern coast over seven centuries ago.

With an astonishing circumference exceeding 19.5 metres, its massive, deeply creased trunk is one of the oldest and largest living botanical specimens in South Asia, protected as an ancient archaeological monument.

What else can travellers explore in Mannar?

Mannar Fort, built by the Portuguese in 1560 and enlarged by the Dutch in 1658, sits squarely at the mouth of the lagoon with four bastions and intact ramparts overlooking calm fishing waters.

At the western tip of the island lies Talaimannar, where the old railway pier juts out into the Palk Strait towards Rama's Bridge (Adam's Bridge)—a chain of natural limestone shoals that historically linked Sri Lanka to India. The surrounding sand flats are renowned during winter for vast flocks of migratory flamingos, crab plovers, and terns.

Practical tips before you go

Visit the Baobab tree in the golden late afternoon light when the texture of the bark is most photogenic.
Birdwatchers should bring binoculars or telephoto lenses between November and March for migratory shorebirds.
Mannar is an ideal coastal detour when travelling between Wilpattu National Park and Jaffna.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get to Mannar Island?

Mannar Island is connected to the Sri Lankan mainland by a scenic modern causeway. It is easily reached by private air-conditioned vehicle from Wilpattu (approx. 2.5 hours) or Jaffna (approx. 3 hours).

Can you walk along Adam's Bridge?

Visitors can view the first sandbank formations from the beach near Talaimannar lighthouse. Boat excursions out along the sand islands are subject to local naval clearance and weather conditions.