A long, quiet stretch of white sand north of Trincomalee, popular for swimming and as the gateway to Pigeon Island.

Overview

Nilaveli Beach is a wide, palm-backed ribbon of soft white sand with warm, shallow water that stays calm through the east-coast dry season. Less developed than the city beaches, it is a place to swim, walk and unwind, and the jumping-off point for boats to Pigeon Island's reef. A handful of resorts and guesthouses sit behind the coconut palms.

History

The beach and its village were among the areas worst affected by the 2004 tsunami and by the civil conflict, and have recovered as a leading east-coast beach destination since the war ended in 2009.