Pigeon Island National Park

About Pigeon Island National Park

Pigeon Island, a kilometre off Nilaveli beach, is Sri Lanka's most accessible marine national park and its best easy snorkelling. The shallow coral gardens around the rocky islet swarm with hundreds of fish species - parrotfish, angelfish, snapper - and the park is famous for its resident blacktip reef sharks, which cruise harmlessly through the shallows within metres of snorkellers. Green and hawksbill turtles graze the reef daily. The island itself is named for the rock pigeons that nest on its cliffs, and a short trail crosses between its two beaches. Boats take ten minutes from Nilaveli; masks and fins are rented on the beach. Go early - by mid-morning in season the small entry beach gets busy, but at 7am you can have the reef nearly to yourself.

Top Activities

• ✓Snorkelling with blacktip reef sharks
• ✓Sea turtle spotting on the reef
• ✓Coral garden exploration
• ✓Beach time on the islet's two coves
• ✓Diving trips from Nilaveli and Uppuveli

Nearby Attractions

Closest Places in This Guide

Straight-line distances; allow considerably longer by road, especially in the hills.

• Velgam VeheraHeritage · Cultural9 km
• Kanniya Hot SpringsNature · Cultural · Family13 km
• Trincomalee War CemeteryHeritage13 km
• Koneswaram TempleCultural · Heritage16 km
• Marble BeachBeach · Family21 km
• Kinniya BridgeFamily · Nature23 km

Travel Tips

Travel Guides That Cover Pigeon Island National Park

• Sri Lanka Itinerary: 7, 10 and 14-Day Routes That Actually WorkThree routes for a first trip, built around realistic travel times, the current state of the hill-country railway and the coast that is in season.
• Sri Lanka's East Coast: Where to Go When the South is RainingArugam Bay, Trincomalee, Nilaveli and Pasikudah - the coast that comes alive from May to September, while the south sits under monsoon.