Batticaloa Fort and lagoon
A small Portuguese-then-Dutch fort on a lagoon island in the middle of Batticaloa, now full of government offices, beside the lagoon where ‘singing fish’ are said to be heard.
What Batticaloa Fort actually is
Batticaloa Fort stands on a small island in the lagoon in the middle of town. The Portuguese built it between 1622 and 1628. The Dutch captured it on 18 May 1638, dismantled it the following year and began rebuilding in 1665, finishing the main front in 1707. It has four bastions: the lagoon protects two sides and a canal the other two. It later passed to the British.
It is not a ruin and not a managed heritage site. Government offices occupy much of the interior, so you are walking around a working compound. What you come for is the outline, the ramparts, a few old cannons that one guide says carry the Dutch East India Company mark, and the view across the lagoon towards the bridges at Kallady.
The lagoon is the other half of the stop. It runs for about 56 km and covers roughly 162 km². Boatmen near Kallady Bridge will take you out to listen for the ‘singing fish’, a humming said to rise from the water on moonlit nights. Treat it as folklore. The recording usually cited dates from the 1950s and was broadcast in 1960, and visitors who have gone looking in recent years report hearing nothing.
Worth your attention
The ramparts
Walking the lagoon side of the walls is the best part of the fort, with open water on one side and offices on the other.
Four bastions, two defences
Lagoon on two sides, a canal on the other two. The layout makes sense once you see it from the wall.
Kallady Bridge
The traditional spot for the singing-fish story. A statue of the poet Auvvaiyar at the bridge entrance has four fish carved on its pedestal.
The lagoon at dusk
A small boat on the water gives a better sense of the place than the fort does. Local guides point out waterbirds such as pelicans and cormorants.
Before you go
Do this
- Walk the lagoon-side ramparts rather than the office courtyards.
- Agree the boat price and duration with the boatman before setting out.
- Go to Kallady Bridge for sunset, whether or not you hear anything.
- Combine it with Pasikudah and Kalkudah, which are about 35 km north.
- Ask before photographing government buildings or staff.
Know this first
- Much of the interior is occupied by offices, so access to some areas may be restricted.
- The singing fish are not reliable. Do not book a trip around hearing them.
- Sources differ on when the British took the fort, so we leave that date out.
- There is little signage or interpretation, so read up before you go.
Getting to Batticaloa Fort and lagoon
Most people see Batticaloa Fort and lagoon as part of a stay around Pasikuda. Our Pasikuda guide covers where to stay, how long to give it and what else is nearby.
Coming straight from the airport, the relevant run is Colombo Airport to Pasikuda — fixed price per vehicle, driver waiting inside arrivals with a name board.
Read the full Pasikuda guideFrom Colombo Airport
Car up to 3 passengers; vans quoted on the route page. No night surcharge.
Batticaloa Fort and lagoon — frequently asked
What is Batticaloa Fort?
A small fort built by the Portuguese (1622–28), captured by the Dutch in 1638 and rebuilt by them from 1665. It stands on an island in the lagoon and is now used mainly for government offices.
Can you really hear the singing fish?
Possibly, on a quiet moonlit night near Kallady Bridge, but there is no guarantee. The best-known recording dates from the 1950s and one recent visitor heard nothing. It is a pleasant lagoon boat ride either way.
How big is the Batticaloa lagoon?
About 56 km long and roughly 162 km² in area, according to Wikipedia.
How far is Batticaloa from Pasikudah?
About 35 km, so most people visit as a half-day trip from the Pasikudah resorts.
Also worth stopping for around Pasikuda
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