Uppuveli Beach: The Ultimate Guide to Trincomalee's Top Tourist Spot
- Kate Colliety
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
Uppuveli Beach is nestled in the northeast of Sri Lanka in Trincomalee Bay, and was the second stop during our 2-month Sri Lanka road trip.
Less frequently visited due to its remote location, Uppuveli Beach Sri Lanka was the perfect destination for us to experience authentic Sri Lankan culture. We had the opportunity to meet friendly locals, even sharing a homemade dosa on the beach (more on this later!)
One main draw of Uppuveli is the magnificent coastline, long, sandy beaches make the perfect location for relaxing, sunbathing and swimming. There are also snorkelling opportunities at Pigeon Island National Park and local attractions such as Fort Frederick, Lover's Leap and Kanniya Hot Springs nearby.
Uppuveli Beach offers the perfect contrast to Sri Lanka's busy south coast beaches and is the ideal off-the-beaten-track destination for travellers seeking authentic beach experiences in Sri Lanka.
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Uppuveli Beach.
Where Is Uppuveli Beach, Sri Lanka?
Uppuveli Beach is located just 5 minutes from Trincomalee town in northeastern Sri Lanka. While it's further from the popular south coast beaches, this hidden gem is absolutely worth the extra travel time for authentic Sri Lankan experiences.
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What To Expect At Uppuveli Beach & Our Experience
Uppuveli Beach is the perfect base to explore the rest of Trincomalee, as it is located in the centre of Trinco Town and Nilaveli Beach.
The vibe in Uppuveli is relaxed, perfect for lazy beach days. We found the community here to be super friendly. As we trundled along in our tuktuk a motorbike pulled up beside us and invited us to dinner on the beach cooked by his mum. We accepted the offer and enjoyed homemade Masala Dosa by moonlight.
The beach at Uppuveli is a long stretch of sand lined with small fishing boats, an unspoiled paradise. Unlike the crowded beaches of Sri Lanka's south coast, Uppuveli Beach offers space for everyone. We found the water perfect to swim in, with some crashing waves to make it enjoyable and provide excellent body surfing.
Watersports are also popular at Uppuveli Beach, they offer, water skiing, jet skiing, paddle boarding and canoeing!
Visitors congregate at Fernando's Beach Bar, a lively collection of food trucks and bars set directly on the sand behind rows of sun loungers. At night, Fernando's transforms with crackling campfires, live music, and an irresistible vibe that keeps travellers coming back night after night.
There’s plenty of things to do from Uppuveli including snorkelling at Pigeon Island, going on a whale watching tour and heading into the busy local town of Trincomalee.
One of our favourite excursions from Uppuveli was visiting the Kanniya Hot Springs. This hidden gem is a series of hot springs of different temperatures that are said to have healing properties.
Best Places To Eat In Uppuveli
The best Kottu in Sri Lanka is served here! A delicious dark Kottu that was our first and best of the trip came from Rice ‘n’ Curry which is a popular place to eat in Uppuveli. We also recommend the deviled chicken here, a tangy sauce with peppers and chicken similar to sweet and sour!
If you’re craving western food there is a delicious looking food truck at Fernando’s Beach Bar! You can also get a variety of drinks here including King Coconuts, coffee and beer.
If you’re looking for Vegan-friendly options then Cafe on 18th serves healthy bowls on the beachfront, plus they have coconut milk available for coffees. If you have non-vegan friends they serve a variety of fresh seafood.
Where To Stay In Uppuveli
We stayed in Beach Breeze due to its prime location to the beach and Fernando’s Beach Bar. Each morning we’d walk 2-minutes for a morning swim before returning to enjoy breakfast which we made in the communal kitchen. This is our top budget friendly place to stay in Uppuveli.
The rooms here are spacious, clean, and have powerful A/C, a lifesaver in the heat. We love the look of the quiet garden setting and the on-site restaurant which serves homemade food. It's an ideal choice if you want comfort without splurging.
If you’re looking to treat yourself, Uga Jungle Beach is a hidden luxury retreat nestled between the jungle and the sea. The private villas offer total seclusion. You can enjoy outdoor showers, fine dining under the stars, and cocktails by the pool after a day exploring nearby beaches.
How To Get To Uppuveli Beach?
If you’re using public transport the easiest way is via a bus to Trincomalee bus station followed by a short tuktuk taxi (5 minutes) to your accommodation in Uppuveli.
From Sigiriya
Either head into Dambulla (20-minutes) or to the Inamaluwa Junction where you can flag down the #49 bus which heads to Trincomalee and takes 3 hours.
From Dambulla
The easiest way to get to Trincomalee from Dambulla is via bus. Head to the Dambulla bus station where several buses a day head to Trincomalee which takes 3.5 hours and costs 600 LKR.
From Anuradhapura
There are a few buses a day that run between Anuradhapura and Trincomalee, which takes 3-4 hours.
From Jaffna
Again there are several buses per day running between Jaffna and Trincomalee, the journey takes 5 hours and costs 900 LKR.
From Colombo
There is one train a day that runs between Colombo Fort Station and Trincomalee. The journey takes 8 hours.
The Journey by the #49 buses take 7 hours or travel overnight on a private bus that leaves at 11pm.
By Plane
Cinnamon air offers flights from Colombo to Trincomalee that take just 60-minutes! We travelled with Cinnamon air from Koggala Lake to Colombo and it was one of our most memorable experiences during our trip.
Our Recommended Way To Reach Uppuveli
While public transport works well, we'd highly recommend hiring a tuk tuk for the journey. Not only does it give you flexibility to stop at viewpoints and local spots along the way, but it's also an authentic way to experience Sri Lankan travel culture. We hired ours for 2 months and it became one of the highlights of our trip, the freedom to explore hidden corners of Sri Lanka was incredible.
Book your tuktuk here and use our code KandM for a discount.
Uppuveli Beach Common Questions
What is the best time to visit Uppuveli Beach?
The best time to visit Uppuveli Beach is during the dry season from May to October, which coincides with whale watching season. The weather is sunny with calm seas, perfect for swimming and water activities. We visited in November and the waves were choppy but great for body surfing!
Is Uppuveli Beach good for swimming?
Yes, we enjoyed swimming every morning at Uppuveli Beach. As we visited at the end of the monsoon season the water was still a little murky with some larger crashing waves perfect for body surfing.
What's the difference between Nilaveli and Uppuveli Beach?
Nilaveli Beach is about 10 minutes north of Uppuveli Beach near Trincomalee. Nilaveli is quieter and less developed, while Uppuveli has more restaurants and accommodation options. Both offer beautiful sandy beaches and swimming.
Is snorkelling good at Uppuveli Beach?
When we visited the waves were too large for snorkelling and made the water murky. Instead try the nearby Pigeon Island.
Best Trinco Tours
Trincomalee Travel Tips
Try the Kottu at Rice ‘n’ Curry Restaurant, the best we had during our 2-month trip to Sri Lanka
Pack your own snorkel gear - this means you can enjoy the underwater world on your own terms and when the conditions are right
Watch out for Naval Base Boundaries - As we experienced, be careful not to wander too far along certain beaches as you might accidentally enter naval base territory.
Visit attractions early or late to avoid the midday heat!
Final Thoughts on Uppuveli Beach
Uppuveli Beach is the perfect town to base yourselves in while visiting Trincomalee. There are some of the best restaurants including Rice ‘n’ Curry for the kottu and Fernando’s Beach Bar for the vibe. You can cool off in the sea and relax on the untouched beach or head off exploring some unique cultural sites such as the Kanniya Hot Spring and Fort Frederick.
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Thank you for reading and enjoy your Sri Lankan adventure. Reach out to us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels. We always love to hear from people who read our blogs!
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