Top Places To Visit In Nilaveli During Your Sri Lanka Vacation

Nilaveli is a seaside resort township and suburbia of Trincomalee District, Sri Lanka, 16 kilometres northwest of Trincomalee City. A historically famous Tamil village and district tourist stop alongside the close by Uppuveli, the number of tourists has decreased following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the Civil War in Sri Lanka but has increased again since 2010. Pigeon Island National Park, one of the region’s two marine national parks, is situated 1 km off Nilaveli ‘s coastline, with its many species of vegetation, coral and reef fish contributing to the rich biodiversity of Nilaveli.

Pigeon Island National Park

Pigeon Island National Park is located in Sri Lanka, near Nilaveli Beach. This National Park is among the country’s 17 national parks, but also the region’s only two marine national parks. This area is protected as a result of the 2004 Tsunami, which caused considerable damage to the marine and coral life. Also recognized as this national park has the finest coral reefs in the whole world! Also, the rocky island is home to rock pigeons, on which the name of the national park is derived.

Things To Do 

Snorkelling/ Diving/ Swimming

This national park is a national marine park. So, wandering across the property, scuba diving or snorkelling are the principal ways to experience the national park. A standard scuba diving session will cost as little as 2,400 INR, up to 8,000 INR! The cost of diving sessions depends on the number of dives per jump and the timing. The site is ideal for casual swimming too.

Wildlife and Flora

Because it is a marine national park, you’ll see more than a hundred species of corals and coral reef fish here than any other animal. Here the coral reef is rich in coral life, as are vertebrate and invertebrate. Sharks, tortoises, like olive ridley, hawksbill and green turtle, rock pigeons can be found here.

The nearby restaurants and cafes serve some of Sri Lanka’s best local cuisines, consisting of dishes and curries. This cuisine specializes in the use of coconut. These restaurants and cafés also serve some of the best freshly cooked fish and other seafood, due to their location near the ocean.

Getting There

From Colombo airport taking a trip to Nilaveli airport is the best option. Attainment takes 1 and a half hours. There are also cabs or taxis, and tuk-tuks available from there. Rental cars to the National Park are available from anywhere in the country. They are also easy to book, and convenient. Vehicles can be booked from any available car rental services, or arrangements can be made at the hotel. Options are available online, too.

 Nilaveli Beach

Nilaveli Beach is only a few kilometres from Trincomalee Area. This tiny town is perfect for those looking for a relaxing beachfront stay in Sri Lanka. The Nilaveli Beach is about 1 km long and is surrounded on all sides by lush green foliage. Pigeon Island, which is a popular snorkelling and diving spot, overlooks the beach from a little distant. There the reef provides a perfect spot to explore the ocean.

Also Read: Top Places To Visit In Koggala During Your Sri Lanka Vacation

Things To Do 

Swimming

Pigeon Island isn’t about animals, in spite of what the name implies. This small island off the coast of Nilaveli Beach is indeed one of the national parks of Sri Lanka.

The island has become famous for its marine life which includes a large number of turtles and reef sharks from Black-tip. This, coupled with a stunning coral reef, makes it one of Nilaveli Beach’s best things to do. Apart from snorkelling, Pigeon Island is also a great dive location and Nilaveli and Trincomalee dive tours are also available.

The Nilaveli Beach is a small stretch of white sand with blue waters creating moderate waves which are suitable for amateur surf. The beach is tidy and mostly crowd-free, rendering it much more appealing to travellers and visitors.

Fort Fredrick

Fort Fredrick is a commemoration of another time in Sri Lanka before it gained independence. The old fort was built to protect one of Sri Lanka’s most important strategic ports and although not much of it still remains, it is still a great place to explore.

There are 2 temples worth visiting inside the fort. One is the Temple of Koneshwaram and the other is Monastery of Gokanna Raja.

The Koneshwaram Temple is a colourful and beautifully decorated Hindu temple. The temple holds regular day-long services, and visitors can actually wander inside.

The monastery of Gokanna Raja is less spectacular than the Hindu temple but it is always worth a visit. The view over Trincomalee and the beach from here is beautiful.

Uppuveli Beach

Upuveli Beach is a famous, Trincomalee beach where many people stay. Though a beach is very similar to Nilaveli, Uppuveli Beach is lined with many restaurants and bars. This makes it the perfect place to head for the day and enjoy an ocean-side meal and drink. Fernando’s Bar is one of the greatest bars to hang out on. This beachside bar boasts a large sandy seating area and offers cold beers and snacks all day and night.

Best Time To Visit Sri Lanka

Usually, from December to June, the strongest season to hit the west and south coasts and valleys, while the worst weather on the east coast is from April / May to September. The island ‘s environment is determined by two big monsoon seasons, and as they overlap, Sri Lanka can be used as a holiday destination during the year.

Also Read: Top 10 reasons to visit Sri Lanka for your next vacation

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