Nilaveli Guidebook
Parks & Nature
Despite what the name suggests, Pigeon Island isn’t about birds. This small island off the coast of Nilaveli Beach is actually one of Sri Lanka’s national parks.
Pigeon Island National Park Named after the “Rock Pigeon” species which has colonized the island, Pigeon Island was designated as a sanctuary in 1963, and was formerly used as a shooting range during the colonial era. The island is home to Blacktip Reef Shark as well as Hawksbill, Green, and Olive Ridley turtles. Over 100 species of coral and 300 species of reef fish have been identified here.
The island has become famous for its marine life that includes a large number of turtles and black tip reef sharks. This along with a beautiful coral reef make it one of the best things to do in Nilaveli Beach.
As you can probably guess, snorkeling is the most popular activity on the island as well as just soaking up that island life on the beautiful beaches. Aside from snorkeling and just enjoying your best life, the island is also a great dive location and there are dive tours from Nilaveli and Trincomalee.
Getting to the island is easy by water taxi and they all leave from Nilaveli Beach. The water taxi to the island costs 2,000 rupees for up to six people. On top of that, you must pay the national park entrance fee which is around 4,000 rupees per person.
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Pigeon Island Marine National Park
Pigeon Island Nature TrailDespite what the name suggests, Pigeon Island isn’t about birds. This small island off the coast of Nilaveli Beach is actually one of Sri Lanka’s national parks.
Pigeon Island National Park Named after the “Rock Pigeon” species which has colonized the island, Pigeon Island was designated as a sanctuary in 1963, and was formerly used as a shooting range during the colonial era. The island is home to Blacktip Reef Shark as well as Hawksbill, Green, and Olive Ridley turtles. Over 100 species of coral and 300 species of reef fish have been identified here.
The island has become famous for its marine life that includes a large number of turtles and black tip reef sharks. This along with a beautiful coral reef make it one of the best things to do in Nilaveli Beach.
As you can probably guess, snorkeling is the most popular activity on the island as well as just soaking up that island life on the beautiful beaches. Aside from snorkeling and just enjoying your best life, the island is also a great dive location and there are dive tours from Nilaveli and Trincomalee.
Getting to the island is easy by water taxi and they all leave from Nilaveli Beach. The water taxi to the island costs 2,000 rupees for up to six people. On top of that, you must pay the national park entrance fee which is around 4,000 rupees per person.
Relax at the beautiful Marble Beach.
Marble Beach is undoubtedly one of the best beaches in of Sri Lanka. The beach is actually a good hour’s drive from Nilaveli but in all honesty, you simply can’t miss is – it’s just that beautiful!
The beach is on Sri Lankan navy land and there are two parts. The public side and the navy restaurant side.
The public side is a popular area for locals as it’s free to enter this area without buying anything. However, the restaurant/ resort side does require you to make a purchase at the restaurant or be a guest at the resort.
Of course, the resort side is much nicer in my opinion, so my recommendation is the head here for a meal on the beach. The food is really good and very fairly priced! For 900 rupees I got a large portion of fish and chips and Bailey got a seafood platter for 1,200 rupees.
If that’s a little out of your budget then just get coconut water. It will only cost you 150 rupees and you’ll get to enjoy the nicer part of the beach!
Marble Beach - මාබල් බීච්
Relax at the beautiful Marble Beach.
Marble Beach is undoubtedly one of the best beaches in of Sri Lanka. The beach is actually a good hour’s drive from Nilaveli but in all honesty, you simply can’t miss is – it’s just that beautiful!
The beach is on Sri Lankan navy land and there are two parts. The public side and the navy restaurant side.
The public side is a popular area for locals as it’s free to enter this area without buying anything. However, the restaurant/ resort side does require you to make a purchase at the restaurant or be a guest at the resort.
Of course, the resort side is much nicer in my opinion, so my recommendation is the head here for a meal on the beach. The food is really good and very fairly priced! For 900 rupees I got a large portion of fish and chips and Bailey got a seafood platter for 1,200 rupees.
If that’s a little out of your budget then just get coconut water. It will only cost you 150 rupees and you’ll get to enjoy the nicer part of the beach!
The seven geothermal wells at Kanniya are a popular destination for holidaying Sri Lankans, locals and international tourists alike. You’ll also likely see Sri Lankan school parties visiting and playing in the wells. If you want to bathe, there are separate changing rooms provided for ladies and gentlemen. However, if you do bathe, be warned: you will attract plenty of attention! Note that the use of soap is prohibited.
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Kanniya Heitur lindir
The seven geothermal wells at Kanniya are a popular destination for holidaying Sri Lankans, locals and international tourists alike. You’ll also likely see Sri Lankan school parties visiting and playing in the wells. If you want to bathe, there are separate changing rooms provided for ladies and gentlemen. However, if you do bathe, be warned: you will attract plenty of attention! Note that the use of soap is prohibited.
Sightseeing
Built by the Portuguese in 1623 using the remains of the Koneswaram Hindu Temple, it was rebuilt by the Dutch in 1665 and renamed as Fort Frederick until the British took over in 1782.
Fort Frederick Entrance, පැට්රික් කොටුව- ත්රීකුණාමලය, பரெட்ரிக் கோட்டை நுழைவாயில்
B140Built by the Portuguese in 1623 using the remains of the Koneswaram Hindu Temple, it was rebuilt by the Dutch in 1665 and renamed as Fort Frederick until the British took over in 1782.
Trincomalee is a city, and I know you didn’t come to Nilaveli to explore a busy Sri Lankan city, but there were a few things to do in Trincomalee really worth checking out the Maritime Museum.
They have tour guides who take you around the museum and explain all the exhibits. The tour lasts for around 30 minutes and is completely free. They do ask for a donation at the end and the money goes towards the museum and the exhibits.
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Fort Frederick Ground
Trincomalee is a city, and I know you didn’t come to Nilaveli to explore a busy Sri Lankan city, but there were a few things to do in Trincomalee really worth checking out the Maritime Museum.
They have tour guides who take you around the museum and explain all the exhibits. The tour lasts for around 30 minutes and is completely free. They do ask for a donation at the end and the money goes towards the museum and the exhibits.
If you only visit one sight in Trincomalee, make it the colourful Koneswaram temple. Surrounded by the dramatic Swami Rock and Gokarna Bay, the classical-medieval complex is Trinco’s biggest draw. The site is a major Hindu pilgrimage centre, and one of the Pancha Ishwarams (five abodes of Shiva) built in Sri Lanka to honour one of the principle deities of Hinduism.
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Koneswaram hof
If you only visit one sight in Trincomalee, make it the colourful Koneswaram temple. Surrounded by the dramatic Swami Rock and Gokarna Bay, the classical-medieval complex is Trinco’s biggest draw. The site is a major Hindu pilgrimage centre, and one of the Pancha Ishwarams (five abodes of Shiva) built in Sri Lanka to honour one of the principle deities of Hinduism.
Entertainment & Activities
The NILAVELI DIVING CENTRE is a fully authorized PADI 5 Star IDC dive school. It offers Scuba Diving for beginners, fun dives, all kind of PADI courses, snorkelling trips and Whale & Dolphin watching . It is German owned and managed from a team of international PADI dive instructors.
NILAVELI DIVING CENTRE, PADI 5 Star IDC Dive Resort, S-23912
3 9th Mile PostThe NILAVELI DIVING CENTRE is a fully authorized PADI 5 Star IDC dive school. It offers Scuba Diving for beginners, fun dives, all kind of PADI courses, snorkelling trips and Whale & Dolphin watching . It is German owned and managed from a team of international PADI dive instructors.
Neighborhoods
Located on the island's less developed east coast, Uppuveli offers a true remote, unspoiled beach experience. This is a real, rural beach, so your day at the beach just might be shared with a local cow. If you arrive early, you can watch (or help) the fisherman haul in their nets. The sand is golden, and the sea here is light-blue due to the sun's reflection off the sandy bottom. It's about five kilometers from Trincomalee. The Amaranthe Bay Resort in Trincomalee has an enormous infinity pool and offers a lot more than its budget price would get you in other countries. It's across the lagoon from the main beach, but has a tiny man-made one of its own.
Upuveli Beach is the perfect place to head to for the day and enjoy a meal and drink by the ocean.
Uppuveli
Located on the island's less developed east coast, Uppuveli offers a true remote, unspoiled beach experience. This is a real, rural beach, so your day at the beach just might be shared with a local cow. If you arrive early, you can watch (or help) the fisherman haul in their nets. The sand is golden, and the sea here is light-blue due to the sun's reflection off the sandy bottom. It's about five kilometers from Trincomalee. The Amaranthe Bay Resort in Trincomalee has an enormous infinity pool and offers a lot more than its budget price would get you in other countries. It's across the lagoon from the main beach, but has a tiny man-made one of its own.
Upuveli Beach is the perfect place to head to for the day and enjoy a meal and drink by the ocean.
Nilaveli Beach is a broad, sandy beach, lined with palm trees and dotted with fishermen's boats. Located on the northeast part of Sri Lanka, it's a 30-minute drive from the city of Trincomalee. If the isolation of Nilaveli isn't enough, you can take a boat to Pigeon Island, about a half-mile off the coast. This tiny island has calm beaches with gentle surf due to its own small reef. Although the beach at Nilaveli is large, it is popular with both locals and tourists. There are lifeguards on duty and many little restaurants along the beach, most specializing in seafood. C Beyond is a luxurious, boutique hotel overlooking Nilaveli Beach, the lagoon, and the ocean. Stylish, spacious accommodations are complimented by the small property's personal guest service. The Trincomalee area is also good for sightseeing as it's a center of Tamil culture. Tamil is the name of the language spoken in Sri Lanka and the ethnic group to which the majority of its residents belong.
Nilaveli
Nilaveli Beach is a broad, sandy beach, lined with palm trees and dotted with fishermen's boats. Located on the northeast part of Sri Lanka, it's a 30-minute drive from the city of Trincomalee. If the isolation of Nilaveli isn't enough, you can take a boat to Pigeon Island, about a half-mile off the coast. This tiny island has calm beaches with gentle surf due to its own small reef. Although the beach at Nilaveli is large, it is popular with both locals and tourists. There are lifeguards on duty and many little restaurants along the beach, most specializing in seafood. C Beyond is a luxurious, boutique hotel overlooking Nilaveli Beach, the lagoon, and the ocean. Stylish, spacious accommodations are complimented by the small property's personal guest service. The Trincomalee area is also good for sightseeing as it's a center of Tamil culture. Tamil is the name of the language spoken in Sri Lanka and the ethnic group to which the majority of its residents belong.
Borgartillaga
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Join a Whale Watching Tour From Nilaveli
Sri Lanka is one of the best places in the world to go whale watching! Between both coastlines (east and south), you can almost find whales every month of the year.
On the east coast, the season runs from May to August with the best times to see them in June and July.
There are three different types of whales you can commonly spot. They are the Sperm Whale, Bryde’s Whale, and the crowd favorite, the Blue Whale.
The Blue Whale is the largest living creature on earth currently and in the history of the planet!
Whale watching tours cost around $50 USD if you book on the beach. Most companies during the peak of the whale watching season offer the tour half price the next day if you don’t see any whale.
My best advice is to pick the smallest boat you can find. In places like Mirissa, they cram a huge boat with 200+ people making it less of an amazing experience!
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Take an epic trip to Sigiriya to explore the ancient ruins
If you’ve not planned to visit the city of Sigiriya or Dambulla and spend a few nights, then I highly suggest visiting on a day trip from Nilaveli Beach.
Sigiriya is home to Lion Rock which is a Unesco World Heritage site and recently was proclaimed by UNESCO as the 8th wonder of the world! The rock is 200m high and at the top sits the ruins of an ancient palace. Entrance to the rock is $30usd and for that, you also get access to the museum.
Aside from Lion rock, you can also explore Pidurangala Rock or the famous Dambulla cave temples. These temples are one of the most important Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka. They were carved by hand and are thousands of years old!
To put it simply I recommend spending a few nights in Sigiriya or Dambulla and only recommend a day trip if you simply don’t have the time!