The perfect destination for a relaxed beachside stay, with the picturesque stretch of turquoise blue waters stretching for miles. And the white sands of the shore blending in seamlessly with the crystalline waters, Nilaweli Beach is located a few kilometers away from the main city of Trincomallee.A thriving tourist destination due to the scenic and cultural resources the city of Trincomallee can offer this stretch of beach has become a focal point for many recreational activities and a major tourist attraction. Straight out of a post card, the Nilaveli beach is often discussed to contain the bluest waters from the many beaches Sri Lanka can offer. Truly a vision.

Pigeon island looms in the horizon close to the Nilaveli beach a mere 10-minute boat ride. This is where the adventure starts.One of Sri Lanka’s national parks, despite the name isn’t all about birds. The island is a popular destination for marine life such as sea turtles and Black Tip Reef sharks. A famous snorkeling spot, take a dive in the waters here to experience a stunning marine underworld with many colorful reefs and exotic creatures. The island can be accessed via a water taxi. Other than the usual activities of lounging on the pristine beachNilaveli also plays host to whales and can be found in almost every month of the year and you can hop on a boat to witness these gentle giants. Three different types of whales are found here, such as the Sperm Whale, Bryde’s Whale and the famous Blue Whale. These tours are accompanied by guides who educates you about the feeding habits and less known facts of these gentle creatures, a definite go to in our bucket list! Exploring towards the inland you’ll come across the Trincomalee War Cemetery which holds the memories of a 30-year civil war that occurred in Sri Lanka. The cemetery is well maintained with manicured hedges and many tropical flowers and is eerily beautiful in its own way. If colonial architecture and history intrigues you take a tuk or bike ride to Fort Fredrick which was a strategic fort built by the Portuguese in 1623. The “Swarmi Rock” which sits atop the fort offers panoramic views of the Trincomallee town and the blue waters of the ocean below. The Koneshwaram temple famous for its vividly painted facade is situated within the fort and holds regular services throughout the day which offers an opportunity to learn more about the culture in the area. Another temple is the Gokanna Raja MahaViharaya which is less impressive compared to the Koneshwaram temple yet still worth a visit due to the magnificent Buddha statue situated here. The climb up to the statue offers uninterrupted views of the surrounding neighborhood of the Trincomallee town and the beach.

Sri Lanka has its fair share of lush forests, sandy beaches, exotic fauna and flora. And if you’re a thalassophilethat finds your calling by the sea, you’re going to want to visit all the beach towns Sri Lanka can offer. And Nilaveli beach should be one of it!