In this post, you will learn everything you need to know about Nilaveli Beach (Nilaveli town), a beautiful Trincomalee District, Sri Lanka, in 2024 🌊🍹
Nilaveli Beach 🏖
Nilaveli Beach is located in a suburb of Trincomalee District called Nilaveli, and it’s one of the best East Coast Resort Towns in Sri Lanka.
This gem shouldn’t be skipped if you’re exploring Sri Lanka and looking for clean, calm, turquoise water, a peaceful (and not touristy) location, wonderful nature, and awesome kind local people.
A paradise spot for both, peace and adventure seekers!🏝
Nilaveli offers different water-based activities such as snorkelling, diving for all skill levels, from beginner-friendly spots to deeper dives (aimed at experienced divers), and whale and dolphin watching excursions.
However, these are not the only ways to enjoy your time here.
Those who prefer to stay on land can explore the surroundings by going on bike rides, peacefully walking on this long sandy beach at sunrise and sunset, or simply soaking up the sun. 🌞🥵
And if you have a pool at the hotel you’re staying at, that is another good option too, eh eh! 🏊
Location 📍🗺
Nilaveli is just a 20-minute ride from Trincomalee, where you can immerse yourself in the local culture of a bigger town with visits to ancient temples, and traditional markets.
However, considering its remote location, we made Nilaveli our first long stop right after leaving Colombo.
We spent a couple of weeks here to get some work done 👨🏻💻, enjoy the real Sri Lanka, and then explore the rest of the island down to the South.
By doing so, we had only one long overnight train ride from Colombo to Trincomalee (with no stop-overs), at the beginning of our Sri Lankan adventure.
Then we slowly went back to Colombo in just over a month, exploring every other place we could fit into our travel schedule, on our way back.
This has helped us avoid going forth and back, up and down the island and saved us a lot of (precious) time!
How to Get There
If you want to do as we did, travelling from Colombo to Trincomalee first, and then exploring the rest of the island from there, there are a few options available from Colombo:
– 🧔 Personal driver | The most expensive option, but you could find somebody to share the ride with.
How to share a ride? An idea could be to join one of the few Facebook Groups in Sri Lanka for expats.
– 🚍 Bus | Probably the slowest option, and considering the journey length and that not all buses have A/C, it’s not the best idea
– ✈️ Flight | You can also catch a flight to Trincomalee, check online for prices, but you would miss the experience of the journey across the country (IMHO)
How long does it take? 45m
– 🚂 Train: That’s exactly what we did! We reserved two 1st class seats for an overnight and pleasant train ride to Trincomalee
How long does it take? 8h to 9h (it can differ depending on the day you’re travelling)
❗️NB: If you need a Personal Driver, we have a great contact in Colombo.
He’s a very safe, friendly and expert guide. He works for one of the few taxi companies at Bandaranaike International Airport but also offers private services.
You can message us 📩 via our Contact Page, and we will share all the details. Prices vary depending on what you’re looking for:
– Airport to/from Colombo transfers
– Colombo City Tours
– Excursions around Colombo
– Long-distance transfers
If you prefer to travel by bus, the best thing to do is to ask your hotel staff as they have the most updated information and timelines (online it gets a bit tricky, so always rely on locals for such information).
If you plan to book a train ticket instead, as for the bus, it’s always best to ask your hotel staff, however, you can also try booking yourself by visiting this page 👉 https://seatreservation.railway.gov.lk/mtktwebslr/
Important to Know: A few times we had no luck on the above website, however, our hotel employees managed to call a couple of friends around and get us the tickets (at a slightly higher price, but it’s definitely worth it, and still very, very affordable!).
This is why “always rely on your hotel’s staff”, they are the only people who can (actually) help you when you’re there in person.
Colombo to Trincomalee train departure is once per day, from Colombo Fort Train Station at 09:30pm.
Good to know: 1st class seats of the Express Train Colombo to Trincomalee have A/C which is pretty nice, making your trip more comfortable.
On this train you should also be able to charge your phone through a USB plug – this was available on every seat of our section when we travelled.
Arriving in Trincomalee, How to reach Nilaveli from here & Tips
Awesome! You finally managed to get to Trincomalee (from Colombo or other parts of Sri Lanka, it doesn’t matter 🤪). It’s early in the morning and you’re looking for your hotel.
First of all, no matter which transportation method you use to reach Trincomalee, once you arrive in Trincomalee you will be surrounded by several tuk-tuk drivers (especially at the train station).
NB: tuk-tuks are the fastest, easiest and cheapest way to go from Trincomalee to Nilaveli.
Trip Cost: up to 2000 LKR
You probably already bought a sim card when you first landed in Sri Lanka and you surely have access to your booking, but it’s always better to write the full address of your next accommodation on paper.
This can also come in handy when you explore around, if your phone’s battery falls to zero, at least you know how to get back to the hotel (trust me, been there done that, not pleasant! 😂)
In Trincomalee our trip was not completed yet: we still had to reach our hotel in Nilaveli, but not before heading to Trincomalee Centre and grabbing a coffee!
⚠️The two photos below were taken in front of a little shop where we had a cup of coffee early in the morning (around 6:00ish am).
Quick funny story: while sipping my coffee, a crab walked on my foot 🦀🦶 (don’t ask anything?!)😁
Accommodation booking: before travelling to Sri Lanka we reserved a 2+ weeks stay at the Cardamon Hotel Nilaveli, a beautiful Nilaveli Beach front hotel.
Done with the coffee, we finally jumped on a tuk-tuk and headed to Nilaveli! 🛺💨
📏Nilaveli < – – – > Trincomalee Distance: 13.7Km | about 20 minutes ride
Nilaveli Town
As mentioned at the beginning of this post, Nilaveli Beach is located in a suburb of Trincomalee District called Nilaveli, and it’s one of the best East Coast Resort Towns in Sri Lanka.
This beautiful little coastal town has (almost) everything you need for a short or a longer stay in the area (and even a little hospital – knock on wood ✊🪵 you won’t need that!)
There are a couple of small shops where you can grab cigarettes (if you smoke – it will cost you more than your total vacation meals 🤧), drinks and some snacks, a few ATMs, and enough restaurants.
There are no actual bars or cocktail bars – unfortunately, you should head back to Trincomalee (which we did sometimes) or stay at your hotel’s bar.
But DON’T panic?! Of course, you can get a fresh beer or a cold juice anywhere you can eat. (except for a few exceptions) 🙃🍻 and some “restaurants” can also make a few cocktails too.
So, too much talking now! Where to Eat in Nilaveli?
The BEST Nilaveli Restaurants
- Tutu’s Restaurant | Rated 4.5 ⭐️ on Google Maps
This beautiful little restaurant is managed by a few young guys who speak English well.
They have a variety of dishes to choose from, and they are tasty and reasonably priced. For us it was very convenient as just a few steps away from our hotel, the Cardamon Hotel in Nilaveli.
It’s also the place that when we first arrived in Nilaveli saved us! Why you might wonder?!
Do you remember the coffee we grabbed in Trincomalee, where a crab walked on my foot?
Well, I finished it all, and found it tasty, however, according to my girlfriend something was off (mainly in terms of hygiene) and we linked that to the food poisoning I got the day after (our first morning waking up in Nilaveli).
I felt horrible, throwing up and stuck in bed for a few days. What (truly) saved me was eating at this place where they managed to prepare me some boiled veggies with white rice, and a quick visit to a hospital in Trincomalee.
A doctor checked me and prescribed me some medicines and I got on my feet very quickly (thankfully, even though we had travel insurance, the costs were minimal so we didn’t even claim it).
Anyway, if you’re around, give these guys a try, you won’t regret it!
–Average cost per person: 2500/3000 LKR - Family Restaurant | Rated 4.5 ⭐️ by 172 reviews on Google Maps
This is for us the BEST among the Nilaveli restaurants.
It’s a family-owned restaurant, with fresh products at all times. The owner, San, every morning goes to fish, so you get delicious fish dishes at incredible prices.
They also cook excellent Kottu Roti and curries. All products are fresh, the family is super friendly and we made them good friends.
We are still in touch with them even after leaving Sri Lanka. If you’re in Nilaveli, seriously, you cannot skip this gem! And we would be so glad for you to support them 🤎🇱🇰
–Average cost per person: 2000/2500 LKR
3. King Coconut Café
This is another very good option for home-cooked Sri Lankan dishes.
NB: if you decide to try this one, we recommend you book in advance by calling or WhatsApp-ing the number written on Google Maps because they only work with reservations (a bit inconvenient if you’re hungry and want to eat “right away”, but you’re sure to eat fresh!)
- 1.5h/2h notice in advance should be enough
- Average cost per person: 2000/2500 LKR
That’s all in terms of restaurants. Yes, there are more to name on the list, but this is all you need for enjoyable and tasty meals!
Nilaveli Hotels
There are many hotels in the area, some better than others, for every pocket.
In our personal experience, we had a perfect time at the Cardamon Hotel Nilaveli. We will share below here some photos of it and Nilaveli Beach.
It’s a lovely hotel, and we had a great time. It’s literally in front of Nilaveli Beach, it has a nice pool where you can chill and have a safe swim those days when the ocean is rougher or if you have small kids.
By checking a couple of random dates, for example, 1 Aug 2024 – 4 August 2024 the price for a Deluxe Double Room would cost about $145/night.
NB: prices have increased since last year, but still affordable, considering the location.
Breakfast has always been pretty good and you have a wide selection of dishes to choose from.
However, if your room and booking don’t include it, there are good alternatives for a change (try both and decide which is best for you).
Cardamon Hotel Nilaveli’s lunches and dinners are okay but a bit too expensive for what they offer.
As mentioned a few lines up, we highly recommend you eat at those 3 restaurants. They’re way cheaper and delicious.
Overall this hotel is an excellent choice in the area, it was clean (housekeepers clean your room every morning) and the staff was polite and available 24/7 for anything you needed (we’re still in touch with a couple of people from the team).
Every morning you can pick a towel from the reception and take it to your sunlounger, but more often than not, a very polite guy – a member of the hotel’s staff was putting them for us as he knew which was our preferred spot! 😁
Besides this nice hotel, there are many options for accommodations in Nilaveli and for every pocket.
Before diving into other accommodations in the area, I wanted to share the cafe & restaurant next to the Cardamon Hotel called Memo’s Cafe.
Honestly speaking, it’s nothing “wow” but if you’re planning to stay a while in this specific area, it’s good to alternate places sometimes.
What we liked the most at this cafe/restaurant was the outdoor patio, check it out!👇😻
Okay, it’s time to move on to another good option next door to the Cardamon Hotel is Araliya OceanFront Condos Nilaveli, Trincomalee
By looking at Google Maps and other booking websites such as Agoda, you can clearly see that, even if you’re more on a budget, you can find cheaper options.
For example, at the time of writing this post, the Sea Zone Hotel Nilaveli is only $20/night, with an excellent 8.8 ⭐️ and 124 reviews.
It seems like another great choice, even more so if you’re on a budget 💸!
With the same money for a night at the Cardamon Hotel Nilaveli, you would get a full week at the Sea Zone Hotel Nilaveli.
-Yes, of course – they’re quite different, but this is to show that anybody can find a place that fits his/her pocket!🥳)
I will say it one more time, there are accommodations for any pocket. And it’s pretty much the same all over Sri Lanka, no matter how much budget you have to cover your holidays, there are options at Western prices as well (almost) as local ones!
The choice is yours! 😊🙌
Now that we have covered some basic but important information about Nilaveli, Nilaveli Hotels and Nilaveli Restaurants, it’s time to dive into the best things to do in Nilaveli 🤩
Nilaveli Beach 🐚
Nilaveli Beach is a 4km stretch of sand and is considered one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka.
Its remote paradise-looking surroundings make it pretty easy to understand why!
🥸 Interesting fact: Nilaveli means “moon-shine open land” in Tamil and “blue sand” in Sinhala.
It’s a perfect place to visit for an early morning walk, enjoy sunrises and sunsets, or peacefully swim and get tanned. 😎⛱
You can enjoy an amazing view of the Indian Ocean, on this clean and quiet beach. Not many tourists in the area made it the perfect spot for us!
NB: the ocean is usually calm, making it safe for swimming, however at times it can get rougher. On those days you might prefer chilling at the pool or -if you are brave enough, have fun playing on the waves 😂 (I loved those days as much!).
The water here is pristine, and you can go quite far in the water without necessarily swimming as the beach gradually slopes down into the water.
Another curious fact: when we were diving into the ocean in front of our hotel, there were many microscopic fish that were zipping our legs, imagine you get zipped by (light) electricity. I couldn’t find their name and they are not harmful, so that didn’t bother us.
The best time to visit Nilaveli
The best season to visit this beach (and overall the East Coast of Sri Lanka) is between March/April to October.
This period guarantees an ideal experience, allowing you to put away your umbrellas and enjoy hot sunny days and little to no rainy days (it can happen, but rarely).
Best things to do in Nilaveli
Dolphins and Whales watching 🐬🐋
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You can’t miss this when you visit Nilaveli between March to October.
Several tour agencies offer dolphin and whale watching, and prices vary according to their packages.
- If you go with a private guide/boat: 35,000 LK (as a couple)
- A tour agency would charge about 10,000 to 20,000 LK more
Duration: 2h
Pigeon Island 🏝🐢🦈
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That’s a beautiful snorkelling site, a 10-20-minute ride boat from the coast.
It can get overcrowded, but it’s a great experience. Here you can swim, snorkel and scuba dive with local sharks and turtles, an intense but priceless memory.
NB: 🪸 one thing to consider (and RESPECT) is to not snorkel inside the barrier. It’s there to protect the environment and coral reef, and you must follow the rules.
Costs: it’s pretty expensive, about $50+ (plus a ride boat). You can also rent snorkelling equipment for an extra fee (1000+ LK).
The island is gorgeous but for its price, it could offer a bit more. For example, there are no toilets, nor emergency kits etc (keep this in mind).
Safety: wear a lot of sunscreen and a hat, and make sure you have a bottle of water and a snack with you to have a safe and pleasant time.
Overall, it’s one of the greatest experiences in Sri Lanka.
Coral Island 🪸
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This is a cheaper option than Pigeon Island, and it also offers another amazing experience.
You can catch a boat from the beach till here and jump straight into the ocean for a fun snorkelling.
Very often (actually it’s almost rare not to) you can see sharks and turtles living their days a few meters under your body 😁 and no, they are not dangerous! (at least, we never heard of any incidents, and anybody goes, even families with kids).
Diving School 🤿🐡
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There are a couple of diving centres in the area, and one of the best was right at our hotel, the Cardamon.
We didn’t do any diving, but it must be an incredible experience. They also have lessons and excursions for beginners.
Overall Nilaveli and Nilaveli Beach score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
All this should keep you busy for several days up to a week.
We stayed in this area for two weeks and have absolutely zero regrets, and consider it one of the best spots we visited in Sri Lanka. 🇱🇰