Located in the natural harbor of Trincomalee, Sober Island is a popular tourist destination. The Island was named as “Sober” in memory of late young British Lieutenant S.Sober.
Sober Island is located about an hour after leaving the 'pepper jetty' in Trincomalee.
The 175 acre island elevating nearly 200 meters from the sea level was called “Isle du Soleit” by French meaning “Island of Sun” which was developed by Sri Lanka Navy as per the two site plans drawn in 1919 and 1922.
In the past, drunken british were taken and dumped on the island. So they had to swim alone and come ashore when the intoxication subsided.
'Sober Island' was first acquired by the French. By Admiral Jacob Blacket de la Hay in 1672 and by Admiral Saffron in 1782. After the Treaty of Paris in 1784, Britain occupied the Sober island.
Not only is it a tourist attraction, but there are plenty of ruins of a missing era here. There are French tombs, World War II gun locations, underground ammunition storage complexes, British artillery and many more symbols.
The island was once used as a leprosy island and is now used as a resort run by the Sri Lanka Navy.
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