Nilaveli Beach

Likewise, going up North, such as to the beaches in Nilaveli is no exception to this rule either; with so much to see and do, there’s much that is assured to catch your eye – and capture your heart, to render truly nostalgic moments once you depart from this sun-kissed destination, needless to say

.

When is the best time to visit Nilaveli?

In order to indulge in the very best of seasons here at the Nilaveli beach, the ideal time to visit would be after the region’s monsoon which bears rainfall between October and January every year (this means that the optimal time to visit would be between May and September each year).

The monsoon that this Northern Province of Sri Lanka experiences is known as the Maha Monsoon, and since it is one out of Sri Lanka’s two monsoons which bears comparatively lesser precipitation, this particular region is usually drier – and therefore equally worthy of a visit even during monsoon season per se.

How do you reach the Nilaveli beaches from different towns in Sri Lanka?

The Nilaveli beach is situated off the township of Trincomalee. If you are taking the road, you need to initially take a turn before the main hub of Trincomalee, and go in for about 12km till you reach the shore. With the beach comprising of pure white sands that glimmer under the sunshine, it’s not going to be hard to spot this stretch of seashore which spells Nilaveli to the excited traveller!

If you’re interested in taking the train, the Colombo Fort station is one of the central railway hubs in the country, and direct trains are available from here on a regular schedule.

Did you know? If you’re the kind who does not wish to spend his/her hours of daylight en route any journey, then hopping onto the Night Mail train which is bound for Trincomalee from the Colombo Fort railway station is a smart idea in order to save up on those precious days here! With the train running all night, it is sure to reach your destination during the early hours of dawn, so spending the night herein is most worthwhile henceforth!

While Trincomalee is the first destination which needs to be reached in order to access Nilaveli places of interest, the distance between this major port city and Colombo is 275km, whereas the distance between Trincomalee and other major Sri Lankan towns are:

(i) Anuradhapura – 106km

(ii) Habarana – 85km

(iii) Matara- 400km

Things to do in Nilaveli

While any scenic coastline invites the keen trekker to come forth, take a dip and bask under the glory of the warm sunshine, there’s much more available in terms of activities and places to see in Nilaveli. Whether it’s for couples who are here for some romantic rendezvous or groups of families who wish to indulge in some fun that’s suitable for all ages, Nilaveli is the ideal destination for a variety of exciting activities owing to minimal intervention from tourists and by being less crowded than other coastal regions in the island.

When it comes to Nilaveli attractions and its subsequent set of activities to do over here, we hope this list helps you to explore this wondrous stretch of shoreline, along with its nearby places of interest. Bon Voyage!

(i) Pigeon Island National Park

An island that is off the coast and abundant in lush flora and fauna, this National Park is a wildlife sanctuary which is sure to mesmerize you, as you take a stroll around the shrubbery and hear the chirps of a variety of birds in the area. Also famous for its coral reefs, Pigeon Island is also home to snorkelling, along with diving expeditions for those who are experts in terms of the very same; with a number of wrecks present in the abyss of the ocean here, those who wish to dare and bring out the adventurous side of themselves can definitely be a part of this for ultimate fun and intrigue.

(ii) Fort Fredrick

Another one of the Dutch Forts in Sri Lanka, this 17^th century structure is still prominent in terms of its hardcore foundation after being occupied by the Portuguese, Dutch, British and then the Sri Lankan military down the ages. Definitely worthy of exploration by means of a leisurely walk around the premises, in order to take a trip to the past and experience the vibe of majesty that engulfed the building back in the day.

(iii) The Trincomalee Harbour

Overlooking the Indian Ocean, this harbour is all-natural and has been one of the main ports for ancient trade routes for centuries, and hitherto.

(iv) The Koneswaram Kovil

A Hindu temple that is dedicated to Lord Shiva, this intricately carved religious establishment is perched atop of the sacred Swami Rock – a prime place of pilgrimage in Dravidian culture for several centuries, and yet visited by thousands of devotees from all over island, as well as by Hindu worshippers from India.

(v) Giri Kandi Caitiya Shrine

Known to be of high religious importance to Buddhists, this shrine which now exists as a historical monument consists of elaborately carved moonstones leading the way to the main area of the temple at each of its four entrances, along with other ruins which pertain to a Buddhist Temple now well preserved as an archaeological site. Another interesting notion about this temple is that it has been renowned to pay homage to Lord Buddha’s sacred relics, being one of the first temples to ever do so in the history of Buddhism.

(vi) Hot Water Springs in Kanniya

Also situated in Trincomalee, these hot water springs have now been converted to bathing wells, and are very much open for the public to access. With each spring bearing different temperatures in its water, bathing from the water of these wells is known to have spiritually healing powers for a myriad of ailments, according to legend!

So as you can see, the beaches of Nilaveli present much more than stretches of unspoilt seashores for the keen globe trotter to revel in; there’s much more to indulge in than meets the eye!