Nilaveli: Site Details
Coral white sand and Pigeon Island
Sites of interest and activities around Nilaveli include:
- Kanniyai Hot Springs
- Pigeon Island
- Trincomalee
- Velgam Vihara
- Whale Watching
Kanniyai Hot Springs
Legendary Healing Waters
Inland from Nilaveli are Kanniyai Hot Springs, which according to legend were created by Lord Vishnu himself. For obvious reasons it is a popular bathing site for local Hindu Tamils, although you are not able to immerse yourself in the springs as water is collected in tiled tubs and you douse yourself with a bucket of the water!
Pigeon Island
Boat Trips and Snorkelling
The narrow Pigeon Island, just a few hundred metres offshore from Nilaveli, is covered with rocks but has some sandy stretches and offers limited snorkelling opportunities to view tropical fish and the corals that remain. It has potential for good diving, too. The island is apparently named after Blue Rock Pigeons which were found here, the eggs of which are prized by Sri Lankans. There are no facilities and little shade on the island, but fully-serviced day trips can be arranged locally.
Trincomalee
Trinco or Gokana
Trincomalee (Trinco) is blessed with one of the largest, natural deep-water harbours in the world, which was the envy of past conquerors. Read More
Velgam Vihara
3rd Century BC Buddhist Temple
Further inland from Kanniyai Hot Springs is Velgam Vihara, which is a Buddhist temple purported to date back to the 3rd century BC during the era of King Devanampiya Tissa, who was converted to Buddhism and is said to have planted a Bo tree here. The site was abandoned during the Polonnaruwa period and returned to the jungle, although extensive remains survive, including a stupa, image house and a well-preserved standing Buddha.
Whale Watching
Whales and Dolphins
The Indian Ocean surrounding Sri Lanka is famous for whales and dolphins, and it is one of the best sites in the world for spotting the Blue Whale, the largest animal on earth! Bryde’s Whale and Sperm Whales are also sighted regularly among the 12 species found here. The whale-watching season runs from June to October, although, due to the extensive continental plate off of the east coast, you have to travel a long distance to get sightings from Nilaveli.
