Nilaveli Beach
Nilaveli Beach
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Nilaveli Beach
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
56 within 5 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
477 reviews
Excellent
260
Very good
144
Average
45
Poor
19
Terrible
9
Shakey39
Stratford-upon-Avon, UK67 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
This is a long beach some 8km long. Roughly in the middle there is a little grid of roads that stretch from the main road to the beach, with a number of restaurants and guesthouses. Most Sri Lankan visitors swim here and there is a 400m or so clean stretch of sand with lifeguards. South (towards Trinco) of this stretch there is a bit of plastic litter on the beach.This worsens after about 1km to the extent that you wouldn't want to walk further let alone swim. You can't directly walk North along the beach as there is a naval training facility. Beyond that there is a short decent stretch of sand in front of a couple of smart hotels (there is also a ticket booth for Pigeon Island here.) Further North the beach is pretty filthy. I would guess things would be better in-season as more hotels would make more of an effort and, I'm guessing, the prevailing winds might be from a better direction.
All along the beach the shore shelves in gently so its shallow a long way out and the waves aren't too big.
All along the beach the shore shelves in gently so its shallow a long way out and the waves aren't too big.
Written 7 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
King's Exploits
Colombo, Sri Lanka40 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
It is still a good place to visit by any standards, but with exposure and more visitors, the place has lost its virgin status.
With more influx comes the inevitable pollution, and one thing I noticed was that local visitors are very undisciplined and difficult to manage.
Some were even not paying attention to what the posted Life Guards said.
One of the lifeguards I spoke to told me that most accidents happened only after people tried to get into the water after consuming liquor.
With more influx comes the inevitable pollution, and one thing I noticed was that local visitors are very undisciplined and difficult to manage.
Some were even not paying attention to what the posted Life Guards said.
One of the lifeguards I spoke to told me that most accidents happened only after people tried to get into the water after consuming liquor.
Written 19 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nimasha vithanage
Yatiyantota, Sri Lanka10 contributions
Sept 2021 • Friends
No matter how many beaches i have visited. There is no place like the Nilaveli beach that has captured my attention. Feeling we have " run out of gas" emotionally while surfing. It is not possible to say what caused it. Looking out to sea may really calm my mind. Ever since i was a kid, i used to love surfing. Among them the Nilaveli beach was special. That's why i went there for the third time. I will never forget that sweet experience i had at the Nilaveli beach.
Written 20 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Evarts Photography
Colombo, Sri Lanka755 contributions
Dec 2015 • Couples
This is one of the most cleanest and beautiful beaches on the East coast of Sri Lanka but never visit during rainy season and off season due to rough seas. So you wot be able to go out to swim as there are red flags everywhere signalling danger due to sea currents during this time.
Written 27 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sameera K
Ella, Sri Lanka291 contributions
Jul 2015 • Friends
This is one of the best beaches I in Sri Lanka ever visited… The beach is really lovely… The sea is swimmable... must visit place if you are in down trincomalee..
Written 1 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura J
Preston, UK17 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
Me and my friend visited this beach today after reading all the lovely reviews but have never felt more uncomfortable in an area. We were constantly harassed by men which made up the majority of the people on the beach and there was no way I would have got into my bikini or swimming costume. All the ladies were in full clothes in the sea. We got straight back into a tuktuk back to Uppeveli beach. If you want to relax in peace as a couple of female friends would not recommend this place
Written 9 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Guide811742
11 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
Nilaveli beach is a quiet and relaxed beach, great for travellers looking for some rest and relaxation, some diving and snorkelling if of interest, from here one can also do a day trip to the elephant corridors around sigiriya and see some amazing herds of wild elephants. Renting a bike gives you the freedom to enjoy the island better.
Written 15 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Baybeach hotel Nilaveli
Trincomalee, Sri Lanka59 contributions
Sept 2018 • Friends
Highly recommended for a happy holidays with tasty foods .super service .beautiful view.super swimming pool.kiddies swimming pool.
Written 24 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amanda d
Sydney, Australia41 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
We went in off season I. E. February however the beach is nothing amazing. Only average swell, nice blue water but a little misty. Beach itself is wonderfully long but there are spots where there is a lot of plastic around. And there is very little shade
Good family beach but can have big rips.
For us the south and west had nicer beaches this time of year.
Also if you come in off season there is little food or amenities around. This was actually quite nice, just a few local boats going out to pigeon island, but come prepared with supplies.
Good family beach but can have big rips.
For us the south and west had nicer beaches this time of year.
Also if you come in off season there is little food or amenities around. This was actually quite nice, just a few local boats going out to pigeon island, but come prepared with supplies.
Written 23 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
catatonical
Melbourne, Australia41 contributions
Why do local people allow the entire tide line to be covered in rubbish? I know it washes up from the ocean, but surely one can clean it occasionally? It spoils a lovely spot-glass everywhere, plastics, shoes, etc. Very very sad.
Written 15 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What’s the most cost effective way to get to Nilaveli from Colombo?
Written 4 July 2018
I would recommend, Super Line Travels. They operate luxury coaches to Trincomalee and back.
However the only drawback is that the coaches leave at night and you miss out on the beautiful scenery on the way.
If you opt to travel be train, there's the Eastern Line Express (B) Colombo which leaves Colombo Fort station at 06:05 am and reaches Trincomalee at 13:55 pm
From Trincomalee you can hire a car/mini bus/ tuk tuk to Nilaveli which 14 km from Trincomalee.
Hope this helps.
Written 5 July 2018
Showing results 1-2 of 2
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing