Hello friends. In this article we will tell you what happens on the beaches of Trincomalee during the high season and when the monsoon blows. We were at Nilaveli beach. It is located 12 km from the city of Trincomalee. December-January is not the season here, but we decided to visit here to see what one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka looks like during the monsoon period.
Trincomalee is sometimes called Trincomalee or Trinco. Located in a bay of the Indian Ocean, on the shore of a deep-water harbor. Northeast coast of the island of Sri Lanka.
Despite its distance from (about 260 kilometers and about 12 hours’ drive), Trincomalee is loved by tourists from all over the world. There are advantages here, especially from May to October.
The shores of the bay protect the area from strong winds. The climate here is drier and warmer than in others resort areas Sri Lanka. Trincomalee has two famous beaches: Nilaveli and Uppuveli.
You can go to Sri Lanka all year round, but remember that it is an island and the beach weather depends on the monsoons. Therefore, pay special attention to the location.
Before the trip, we studied beach and cultural places, organized and thought about what to do with winter things. We left a suitcase with winter clothes in , a medium backpack in , and decided to do part of the route lightly with small backpacks.
We calculated the time strictly, but we realized that we really wanted to see the famous beach (at least one) in the off-season, when the wind blows from the ocean and, as they say, swimming is not allowed.
We were there in December-January and traveled around the central and western parts of the island. It's really cool there in the winter.
But in the Trincomalee area at this time, it’s just not the season. So after , the northwestern point of the island, we returned to and on January 1, in the afternoon, we left in the opposite - eastern direction to Trinco.
The hotel on Nilaveli beach was booked in advance from home.
We first got there by bus. We arrived in Trincomalee around 6 pm, when it was about to start getting dark. We made arrangements with a tuk-tuker who took us straight to the hotel. We arrived in the dark.
A port city with a convenient large quiet harbor, known since prehistoric times. An important point in the Kingdom of Siam, from which trade routes went, including to China.
There are cultural and historical monuments, despite the fact that for a long time the city was under the rule of Portugal, France, Holland, and Great Britain.
So, for the needs of the fort, the Portuguese destroyed ancient temple, pulling away the columns to strengthen the garrison. Now these columns are in the Lisbon Museum.
In addition, the city lies on the border of Sinhala and Tamil territories. There was a war here for a long time. Therefore, or because there was a naval base in the fort city until 1957, but along the beach there are towers on which soldiers stand with machine guns.
They don’t shoot, they don’t declare a curfew, they just guard and watch. It looks a little strange.
Sometimes you can see destroyed houses - the consequences of the 2004 tsunami.
What to see in Trincomalee
First of all, these are religious buildings and temples of various faiths:
- Hindu
- Buddhist
- Muslim
- Christian
These are the famous Buddhist stupas. In Anuradhapura they are gigantic and preserved.
Attractions Trincomalee
- Koneswaram Kovil Temple
Near the temple there is another attraction - Swami rock.
Here you can do scuba diving and snorkeling.
- Kanniyai Hot Wells - sacred place Hindus. It is believed that the springs were created by the god Vishnu to fight the demon. You won't be able to swim in them - only ablutions. These are seven small square wells with thermal water, under open air. Pilgrims and tourists collect water in buckets and douse themselves with it.
- near the wells there are the ruins of an ancient city
- Kinniya Bridge, the largest in Sri Lanka
- reservoir of the 7th century AD Kantale
- fort frederick
- ruins of British military bases from World War II. Now they are favored by colonies of bats.
These attractions are accessible at any time of the year.
Beaches of Trincomalee
The city itself has a fairly clean, wide city beach. Locals usually swim here.
Near Trincomalee, a wide sandy area stretches along the coast. You can swim almost anywhere, but best beaches Upuveli and Nilaveli are considered.
Wide beach, but not in season
There are no noisy nightlife attractions, expensive restaurants or developed tourist infrastructure here. For parties and nightlife It's worth going to the south of the island.
The beaches of Trinco are suitable for those who are looking for peace, quiet life and water sports: diving, surfing, windsurfing and snorkeling on the islands.
High season in Trincomalee is from April to October.
From May to August, marine lovers come to watch whales and dolphins.
Uppuweli
This is a small resort village with inexpensive housing. Mostly bungalows, guesthouses and quiet mini hotels.
Stop at Nilaveli village
- Located 6 kilometers from the city center.
- The beaches are deserted, long, wide, with soft yellowish sand and calm sea. The sea is warm and clean.
- Rest without fuss and noise. Everything is simple, but colorful, allows you to understand life local residents.
- There is a memorial and cemetery for those killed during the Japanese air attack in April 1942.
Nilaveli
The village of Nilaveli is located about 5 km from Upuveli.
Before the terrible tsunami wave passed here in 2004, Nilaveli Beach was considered almost the best in Sri Lanka.
Now part of the tourist structure has been restored and continues to be restored. The place is still attractive to tourists. There are cafes, guesthouses, mini-hotels.
secluded, a nice place with wide long beaches. Almost deserted.
Tourists even come here from America, which has plenty of its own beaches.
In Nilaveli you can rent a boat and go to Pigeon Island.
Nilaveli in winter
Pigeon Island
Pigeon is small, covered in greenery, desert island. On one side of the island there is a flat sand beach with fine almost white sand, on the other there is a coral reserve.
In the morning and evening, the island is at the complete disposal of flocks of pigeons. Hence the name.
Nilaveli Pigeon. Season
The island is popular with divers. Snorkelers are also happy with it.
A few kilometers north of Pigeon there is another island - Coral Island.
There are no boats heading to this island, but you can swim. This is one of the best dive sites in Sri Lanka.
How to get to the beaches
Buses run from Trincomalee to the beaches every 30 minutes.
To Uppuveli
- Travel time is 20 minutes.
- The fare is 26 LKR.
- You can take a tuk-tuk. It is approximately 250 LKR during the day and 300 LKR at night and evening.
To Nilaveli
- by bus 45 minutes. Cost 30 LKR
- tuk-tuk costs about 250 LKR
Off season in Nilaveli
Besides us, there were three other people staying at the hotel. So the hotel was deserted.
In the evening it was warm, dry and not at all stuffy.
At about 11 am the air temperature was 26-27 degrees, and by the middle of the day it was 30. There was no rain.
We found the beach completely empty, except for cows lying on the sand and a couple of local residents. Soon three groups of schoolchildren arrived. They had something like "Joy Starts" involving tasks on shore and at sea.
The waves are quite high; we wanted to swim, but we didn’t dare go into the water. There are no buoys or designated swimming area.
And then we noticed a man in the water. He swam calmly, but did not go far from the shore.
Then we also decided. The water is pleasant, the sand is quite fine without stones and shells. The depth increases quite quickly, so we also stayed closer to the shore. The wave felt oceanic, not sea.
When we came out of the sea, we saw a man doing yoga. It turned out to be a local resident. His house was located here, in the jungle. He spoke English very well, so we didn't understand everything.
Word for word, he seduced us into visiting him to look at the peacocks walking in the yard.
See the photo report about this.
Conclusion: during the monsoon season from November to February there is absolutely nothing to do here, especially with children.
By the way, the next morning we were completely alone at the hotel. The rest left.
In high season - from April to October here perfect place for a relaxing and sporty holiday.
How to get to Trincomalee
The most convenient way to come is from Anuradhapura. We traveled by bus and tuk-tuk.
From Colombo
There are different ways to get to Trincomalee, transport connection very good. Prices are any, but travel times vary little.
By plane
You can fly to Trincomalee by local airlines. The airport in Trinco is called Trincomalee Airport, or China Bay Airport. Flights arrive here several times a week from Ratmalana Airport, which is located in the south of Colombo.
If you have money, you can rent a regular propeller plane or helicopter, or even book a charter flight.
Airlines:
- HeliTours - regular flights three times a week, order charters
- FirstAir - charters only
- SimplyFly (Millenium Airlines) - charters only
From Bandaranaike Airport (Colombo), charter can be ordered from the following airlines:
- Cinnamon Air
- SimplyFly (Millennium Airlines)
By taxi
From international airport You can take a taxi to Bandaranaike to Trincomalee. Approximately 120 dollars.
By train
The train leaves Colombo at 21:00. Arrives Trincomalee at 05:10 am.
- Travel time 7 aces.
- Ticket price 15$
There is a daily night train from Trincomalee to Colombo
- travel time 9 hours.
- The train departs from Trincomalee at 20:00
By regular bus
There are regular buses to Trincomalee
- travel time 7 hours
- cost 345 LKR
The bus station is located next to the railway station.
On a comfortable air-conditioned bus
- travel time 6 hours
- cost 600 LKR
- run every 45 minutes
On a scooter
Rent a scooter and travel. Driving in Sri Lanka is on the left.
We covered part of the route by car. In Kandy we rented a car with a driver. Very convenient and not expensive.
From Kandy to Trincomalee
You can get there by bus. Travel time is approximately 6 hours.
From Trincomalee to Kandy the bus leaves at 14:30
Trincomalee, Nilaveli, Upaveli on the map
Read our new articles and subscribe to the blog.
Sincerely,
Trincomalee, or “Trinco” as the locals call it, is located in the northeast of Sri Lanka, 250 kilometers from the capital of Ceylon, Colombo. This is a port city, which since ancient times has been a pier for a huge number of merchant ships. The fact is that the harbor of Trincomalee Bay is very wide and deep. Ships can enter here in any weather.
Trincomalee Bay is windless, dry and warm throughout the year. That is why tourists from all over the world are drawn here. Few people can be indifferent to the beautiful beaches here. These are real bounties with lush tropical greenery on one side and calm turquoise ocean water on the other. Be prepared that on the way from the hotel to the beach you will meet slow and harmless monitor lizards, and every now and then a pair of curious eyes of lemurs will watch from the trees. People come here for a calm, relaxed holiday away from noise, parties and crowds of tourists.
In addition, the city is known as a health resort. Not far from Trincomalee there are the famous Sri Lankan hot springs, which the locals attribute to miraculous powers. People line up to collect water from one of the seven dousing wells. Tours to Trincomalee will be of interest to lovers of quiet beach holiday, families with children, as well as fans of diving and fishing.
Climate and weather
The resort has a pleasant warm climate throughout the year. Unlike other cities in Sri Lanka, in the north east coast There is practically no difference between the “high” and “low” seasons. When the rainy season begins in Ceylon in May, Trincomalee is also dry and warm. Precipitation is possible, but very short-lived. It rains mainly in the evening and at night. If you don’t want to see clouds in the sky at all, go to Trincomalee between January and April. The air will warm up to +30, the water in the ocean to +29. At this time, the resort is dry, warm and comfortable.
| During the day | At night | Sea | Season | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | +27 | +24 | +27 | Beach |
| February | +29 | +24 | +27 | Beach |
| March | +30 | +25 | +28 | Beach |
| April | +32 | +25 | +29 | Beach |
| May | +34 | +26 | +30 | Beach |
| June | +34 | +26 | +29 | Beach |
| July | +34 | +25 | +28 | Beach |
| August | +34 | +25 | +28 | Beach |
| September | +34 | +25 | +28 | Beach |
| October | +31 | +24 | +29 | Beach |
| November | +29 | +24 | +28 | Beach |
| December | +28 | +24 | +27 | Beach |
Beaches
The Trincomalee coastline, 30 kilometers long, is divided between three beaches: Upuveli, Nilaveli and Trincomalee city beach. The latter is filled with locals throughout the day. It is not very comfortable to relax here due to the close attention of Sri Lankans to “white” tourists in swimsuits and swimming trunks.
Upuveli Beach is located near the city center and is also more developed. In Upuveli you will find villas, small hotels, as well as guesthouses and bungalows. You can have a snack in one of the simple coastal cafes, as well as rent a sun lounger and diving equipment. The beach here is wide, uncrowded, and covered with fine yellow sand. The entrance to the water is gentle.
The nearby Nilaveli Beach is even more secluded. There are an order of magnitude fewer hotels here and the accompanying infrastructure too. But the place is very picturesque. And considering that there are very few tourists here, on Nilaveli you can feel like a real Robinson on a desert island. The ocean water in this area is surprisingly clear, the beach is covered with beige sand. Sitting on the shore, you can often see whales in the ocean.
Hotels and inns
Finding a trip to Trincomalee is quite simple, since the choice of hotels at the resort is still very modest. There are only a few five-star hotels, a little more than four-star and three-ruble hotels. In the city, it is also common to stay in mini-hotels with 5-10 rooms and in guest houses, which serve as a home for local residents and at the same time a modest haven for tourists.
All inclusive in Trincomalee is becoming increasingly popular. You can easily find a hotel with full board and good service. But keep in mind that the beaches at the resort are public, which means that local residents can also relax here. The level of housing prices in Trincomalee is slightly higher than in other resorts in Sri Lanka. The service staff is humble, friendly and helpful.
Attractions
One day is enough for you to see all the sights of the city. First of all, tourists strive to get to Pigeon Island, which is two kilometers from Trincomalee. This is a tiny piece of land in the middle of the ocean. Its length is only 500 meters, however, it even has its own beach. Fans of diving love to come here, because after relaxing on the picturesque beach and walking around the surrounding area, you can take an exciting dive to a beautiful coral reef. The island is part of the Sri Lanka National Park and there is an entrance fee.
In the center of the city is the ancient Fort Frederick, which is still a military base for Ceylon. Despite this, the fortress walls are open to everyone. The fort was built in the 17th century by Portuguese colonialists. The building material for it was the ruins of the oldest temple in Sri Lanka - the Canned Temple or the Temple of a Thousand Columns. It is located a little further, on a rock. The grandiose religious building is dedicated to the god Shiva. For local residents this is a sacred place. Here you can see many of the famous sacrificial baskets of fruits and flowers brought by the Sri Lankans, as well as admire the panoramic view of the city from Swami Rock. Walk a few hundred meters more and you will find yourself in a picturesque place with the romantic name “Lover's Leap”. This is the cliff from which, according to legend, the daughter of a Dutch military officer threw herself from unrequited love.
Walking around the city, you will probably notice that Trincomalee is multi-religious. There are churches, mosques and Buddhist temples here. The Hindu temple of Sri Pathrakali, in the city center, stands out from the crowd. Its facade is decorated with many sculptures and bas-reliefs personifying deities. The temple is small but impressive. It was his photo that was replicated on postcards and calendars about Trincomalee.
Cuisine and restaurants
Trincomalee cuisine is primarily Ayurvedic dishes, that is, aimed at preserving human health. Vegetarian cafes are very common here. And even in ordinary restaurants, meat is not the main component of the dishes. The base of it all is rice and curry seasoning. These ingredients are found almost everywhere. If you decide to get to know the local cuisine better, order a salad of fresh pineapple and avocado as a light snack. The fruits are cut into cubes, seasoned with vegetable oil and sprinkled with curry. Here it is, a striking example of the phenomenon of Sri Lankan cuisine: a skillful combination of incongruous things can be very tasty.
Residents of Trincomalee love and cook seafood well. Don't deny yourself the pleasure of ordering tuna stewed in coconut milk. This is my favorite National dish local residents. The fish simmers for a long time in the whitish juice of coconuts and is served with vegetables and rice. IN local cafes You can also try the freshest crabs, lobsters and giant shrimps.
At the end of the meal, you can enjoy exotic fruits, which in Trincomalee restaurants are served on a large plate. There will be ripe bananas, papayas, passion fruits, sapodillas and rambutans. All in all, a real tropical paradise. For dessert, you can also order the national dish, Hakura Appa. This is a fried rice cake coated in coconut.
What to bring
In addition to tourism, Trincomalee residents are actively involved in fishing. But because of this, you shouldn’t bring shells as a souvenir. Let's remember that we are in Ceylon! Be sure to buy jars and boxes with different types of tea. A great gift and just a nice souvenir for your loved one. In addition to tea, purchase homemade honey at the market or store in Trincomalee. In Sri Lanka it is of plant origin. Dark brown honey is not at all similar to ours. The barely perceptible aroma of pine cones and coconut gives it a unique taste.
Ayurveda is an integral part of Sri Lanka. Local residents prefer to take care of their health with the help of herbs and plants. So, when you are in Trincomalee, buy a “starter set” of Ayurveda as a souvenir: toothpaste with dark brown pepper, face cream from a mixture of several dozen herbs and coconut-based shampoo. At home you can enjoy all this, enjoying the familiar aromas of Sri Lanka and remembering your vacation in a distant country. And, of course, you cannot leave Trincomalee without the famous Sri Lankan seasonings and wonderful elephants, which are the symbol of Sri Lanka.
There are several ways to get to Trincomalee from the airport on your own. The simplest and fastest, but not the most budget-friendly, is a taxi. You can order a transfer to Trincomalee from the airport via the Internet or on site at the airport. You will have to get there by bus or train to Trincomalee. You will have to change trains in Colombo. Now in more detail about each option.
Colombo - Trincomalee
By bus from Colombo airport to Trincomalee
On central bus station Bastian Mawatha, which is located near the Fort railway station, we find bus number 49 “Colombo - Trincomalee”. They run every day from 5 am to 5 pm. Travel time is approximately 7 hours. The fare is about 300 rupees ($2).
Train to Trincomalee
From Colombo Fort railway station, a night train departs every day to Trinco at 21.30. It goes all night. Arrival time around 5.30 am. The fare is 760 rupees ($5) per seat in a first class carriage. Since you are traveling at night and want to sleep, it is better to take a first class ticket. But they are hard to get; they are often sold out a week before the trip. Second and third class tickets cost 450 and 285 rupees. Check schedule
Taxi Colombo - Trincomalee
The easiest, most comfortable and fastest way is to order a transfer. You can take a taxi in Trincomalee either at the airport or order a car in advance through the Internet. The advantage of the second method is that after the flight you don’t have to look for taxi stands and explain where to go. You will be greeted with a sign and led by the hand to your car.
A taxi from Colombo to Trincomalee takes approximately 5 hours, depending on traffic density. If you are arriving in a large group, it will be more profitable order a minibus, in this way you can minimize transfer costs, since everyone will chip in and it will be cheaper.
- Book a taxi from Colombo Airport to Trincomalee >
Taxi Colombo - Trincomalee
Where to stay in Trincomalee
- Amaranthe Bay Resort
- Anantamaa Hotel
- Hotel Blue Waves
- All hotels in Trincomalee
Trincomalee, one of the best natural deep-water harbors in the world, is located 257 km northeast of Colombo. The Trincomalee region is home to beautiful beaches such as Nilaveli and Uppuveli. In addition, not far from Trincomalee is the coastal island of Pigeon. Let us also add that Trincomalee has recently become a popular place for whale watching.
The Trincomalee region, called Gokanna or Gokarna in historical records and inscriptions, is strewn with many ancient ruins Buddhist temples and is considered the main Buddhist cultural and archaeological site Sri Lanka. The seven hot springs at Kannia, located just 8 km from the city of Trincomalee, attract constant crowds of tourists and locals throughout the year thanks to the therapeutic properties of the water, as well as varying temperatures from one well to another.
Trincomalee on the map of Sri Lanka
Attractions Trincomalee
The strong Dutch influence in the region is evident in places like Fort Frederick. Interesting place is also famous temple Koneswaram. Dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva, the temple is one of the main sites reflecting the historical significance of Trinco.Adding to Trincomalee's distinctive natural beauty is Pigeon Island, which is a charming little rocky island off the coast of picturesque Nilaveli Beach. Famous for its blue rock pigeons, this place can be visited via a motorboat ride.
Another interesting attraction in the Trincomalee region is the group of seven hot water springs at Kannaya.
Below we will tell you about the main attractions of Trincomalee so that you can get an idea of what you can see in the area.
Koneswaram Temple
If you only have time to visit one place in Trincomalee, we recommend heading to the colorful Koneswaram Temple. In a classic medieval complex surrounded by dramatic cliffs and Gokarna Bay, you will find Trinco's greatest wealth. The temple is major center Hindu pilgrimage.
Fort Frederick
Like many fortifications in Sri Lanka (such as Fort Galle), Fort Frederick was built by the Portuguese, rebuilt by the Dutch and then administered by the British. Today the fortress is occupied by Sri Lankan troops, but visitors can explore several sections of it.
Fish market
The daily fish market near the bus station gives a great insight into the lives of the local people who work in the city's thriving fishing industry. Fishermen catch a variety of fish, including tuna, barracuda, and various sea creatures, and sell them on the market. The Trincomalee fish market is crowded almost all the time, so it doesn't really matter when to visit this market. However, early mornings usually offer a wide variety of fresh seafood.British War Cemetery
After Singapore fell to the Japanese during World War II, Trincomalee became the main naval and air base for the British and Allied powers in South Asia. The cemetery contains the graves of 364 British Empire soldiers who were killed or died during the Second World War. Moreover, we are not just talking about the British - citizens of Sri Lanka, India, Canada, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Italy, Myanmar and Pakistan are buried in the cemetery.
St Mary's Cathedral
This Catholic Church, built in 1852 and is the most successful of all the churches in the city. With its neo-Baroque façade and tiled roof, the church attracts many tourists.Cania Hot Springs
The seven geothermal wells in Cannia are a popular holiday destination for tourists and locals. You are also likely to see crowds of Sri Lankan schoolchildren having fun here, who often visit this place in groups. If you want to go swimming, there are separate changing rooms for men and women. Please note that the use of soap is prohibited.
Uppuveli and Nilaveli beaches
The attractive coastal communities of Uppuveli and Nilaveli offer beautiful beaches. Uppuveli Beach, which is more developed, has calmer water and is therefore better for swimming. Nilaveli Beach is a longer beach (about 4 km), but there are fewer hotels here than on Uppuveli. In addition, the waters here are less calm than at Uppuveli.
Pigeon Island National Park
With powdery white sand, volcanic rocks and lush vegetation, Pigeon Island certainly looks like an idyllic island. However, the recent surge in tourism means you'll have to work hard to find a quiet spot. In addition, the island's growing popularity means that the once pristine reef is clearly degrading. To combat this, many areas around the island have been cordoned off.
Pigeon Island is located near Nilaveli. Tourists are usually brought to this island for only two hours. The tour can be arranged through your hotel.
And the administrative capital of the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka, is located on the east coast of the island, approximately 180 kilometers south of Jaffna. The population of the city is 99,135 people. The city is built on a peninsula that separates the inner and outer port. Trincomalee is one of the main centers of Tamil language culture on the island. The famous ancient temple of Koneswaram was built in the city, which is mentioned in the Tamil chronicle Thirukonamalai, from which its English name comes. The city was seaport, playing a major role in the maritime and international trading history of Sri Lanka.
Trincomalee Port Harbor is known for its large size and safety; unlike everyone else in Indian Ocean, it is available for all types sea vessels and in any weather. The port is considered the fifth largest natural port in the world.
The coastline is used for diving, fishing and whale watching. The city also has the largest Dutch fort in Sri Lanka. It is the main base of the Sri Lanka Navy and also an air force base.
Most people simply pass through the city on their way to the nearby beaches, but the city has its own charm and a lot of history.
Historical places of Trincomalee
Trincomalee is a sacred place for the Sri Lankan Tamils and Sinhalese. There are many important Hindu sites in and around Trincomalee historical places. These places are sacred to Hindus and also some Buddhists worship at these Hindu places.
Despite the fact that Mahasena once destroyed the Sivan temple and built a Mahayana Buddhist temple on the top of the mountain, Hindus maintain peaceful relations with the minority of Sinhala Buddhists living here.
Hindu historical places
Any questions left - write in our telegram chat
(( reviewsOverall )) / 5 (0 rating(s))
Overall rating
