Uppuveli is the closest beach to Trincomalee town — about 6 kilometres north — and has the most developed tourist infrastructure in the area. The beach is long and flat, with calm water that makes it suitable for swimming for most of the year. Several guesthouses and restaurants line the shore, and the atmosphere is relaxed without being crowded.
The water here can be exceptionally clear, and snorkelling off the beach turns up reef fish without requiring a boat trip. Uppuveli is also one of Sri Lanka's best spots for whale and dolphin watching — blue whales pass the coast between March and April on their migration, and spinner dolphins are common year-round. Boat tours run from the beach. In the evenings the beach restaurants serve fresh fish with rice and curry for almost nothing.