Getty Images/Dorling Kindersley

Nilaveli Beach

Top choice

Nilaveli's 4km stretch of sand is considered one of Sri Lanka’s best beaches and with its paradise-island remoteness, swaying palms and golden tinge to the shore, it's easy to see why. As such, it's a surprise that it is so little frequented. A few modest resorts are tucked above the shore line and Pigeon Island, which offers great snorkelling opportunities, is a short boat ride away.

Nearby hotels

Nilaveli has a number of rather exceptional places to stay scattered along the coast. Two good choices are Nilaveli Beach Hotel and That's Why, both within striking distance of the surf. In the low season some guesthouses close completely and even in high season, the whole strip feels remote. Note that it's not possible to wander from one hotel to another as they are widely dispersed.

Suggest an edit to this attraction

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Uppuveli Beach
6.56 MILES
This honey-coloured crescent of sand makes a lovely spot to enjoy life under a coconut tree. Swimming is possible although there are often red flags…
Kandasamy Kovil
9.05 MILES
This revered temple at the summit of a rocky outcrop is one of Sri Lanka’s pancha ishwaram, five historical Hindu temples dedicated to Shiva and…
Fort Frederick
9.41 MILES
Occupying the neck of a narrow peninsula, Fort Frederick has been a defensively important site for centuries. A fortress was initially constructed here by…
Seruwawila Rajamaha Viharaya
24.47 MILES
One of the holiest Buddhist monuments in Sri Lanka, founded in the 2nd century BC, but only rediscovered, and reconstructed, in the 1920s. This stupa…
Marble Beach
13.2 MILES
About 17km south of Trinco, there's a turn-off on the left for Marble Beach (signposted just before the Kinniya bridge), a glorious cove bookended by…
Commonwealth War Cemetery
6.21 MILES
For a break from the beach, stroll up to this beautifully kept cemetery. This is the last resting place for 364 Commonwealth servicemen who died at Trinco…
Maritime & Naval History Museum
9.69 MILES
A grand 18th-century Dutch colonial building has been renovated and turned into a museum. Displays on the ground floor cover Sri Lankan naval history back…
Salli Muthumariamunam Kovil
5.84 MILES
This beachfront temple is 4km by road from Uppuveli, but only a short wade (or hop by boat if the tide is high) from the north end of Uppuveli beach. It’s…

View more attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Islamic Temple

0.96 MILES

A small and simple place.

2. Salli Muthumariamunam Kovil

5.84 MILES

This beachfront temple is 4km by road from Uppuveli, but only a short wade (or hop by boat if the tide is high) from the north end of Uppuveli beach. It’s…

3. Commonwealth War Cemetery

6.21 MILES

For a break from the beach, stroll up to this beautifully kept cemetery. This is the last resting place for 364 Commonwealth servicemen who died at Trinco…

4. Uppuveli Beach

6.56 MILES

This honey-coloured crescent of sand makes a lovely spot to enjoy life under a coconut tree. Swimming is possible although there are often red flags…

5. Swami Rock

9.04 MILES

The base for Kandasamy Kovil is considered the world's greatest vantage point for spotting blue whales. Note the odd cubic-shaped rocks below.

6. Kandasamy Kovil

9.05 MILES

This revered temple at the summit of a rocky outcrop is one of Sri Lanka’s pancha ishwaram, five historical Hindu temples dedicated to Shiva and…

7. Fish Market

9.14 MILES

Fishy interest is provided at the raucous daily fish market near the bus station. Early mornings are busiest.

8. Kali Kovil

9.3 MILES

Kali Kovil has the most impressive, eye-catching gopuram (gateway towers) of Trinco’s many Hindu temples. It's always busy.

View more attractions

placement: superzone
path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],

targeting:

{
  "url": "sri-lanka/the-east/nilaveli/attractions/nilaveli-beach/a/poi-sig/1195196/357467",
  "position": "superzone"
}