Used as a firing range mostly during the colonial period, the stunning Pigeon Island is a great attraction for locals and tourists alike. With its extensive white sand beaches and calm shallow waters, this is an extremely beautiful area, perfect for surfing, whale watching, scuba diving, and fishing.
Situated about 1 km off the coast of Nilaveli in the Trincomalee district, Pigeon Island is a visitor’s draw with its breathtaking scenery. The Pigeon Island National Park, which comprises two reefs, is one of the two major marine parks in Sri Lanka. Boat services operate from the mainland to Pigeon Island. It’s just a 15-minute trip to the islands.
Best time to visit Pigeon Island National Park: You may visit Sri Lanka’s Pigeon Island National Park in both the summer and winter seasons. However, the perfect time to visit the area will be during the summer of June.
Summer: The perfect time to explore the island’s national park is between May and October. Nilavéli is great in the summer. You will appreciate the quiet sea and the beautiful, bright sun. If you’re searching for some water activities, the perfect time to come is in season. As per locals, the perfect time to visit the Pigeon Island National Park in June.
Winter: The perfect time to explore the island’s national park is between November and April. Overall, the place is less busy this season. The sea is somewhat rougher than in the summer, but the Pigeon National Park is always a nice spot to visit and get away from a remote beach.
Important Information:
- Opening Hours – 7.00 am – 5.30 pm
- Entrance Fees – $15 Approximately
Things to do in Pigeon Island National Park:
- Snorkeling at its best: Pigeon Island is a paradise for individuals looking for a good place to snorkel. Clearwater allows snorkeling comfortable and safe from 1 ft of water to 6-7 feet. You will see a range of aquatic creatures, from trumpet fish, to angelfish, parrotfish, reef gardens, and other vibrant fishes, etc.
There is even a big likelihood of catching large marine turtles and even black-tip sharks. You may need to hire a boat and borrow some snorkeling gear, but that’s a minor cost for your experience. It is advised that you ask for a guide before you book a boat trip because there are a few restricted areas.
If snorkeling is just not enough, the hotels and resorts in the region organize deep-sea diving for adrenaline junkies. We can help you enjoy such enthralling water sports on Pigeon Island in Trincomalee.
- Pigeon Island beach: The Pigeon Island National Park consists of two islands – the big Pigeon Island and the small island. The greatest thing on every island seems to be the shore, and the Pigeon Island National Park is no exception.
The key to the storyline is a coral reef that is 200 m long and 100 m wide. You can see a lot of life at sea within the distance of the beach. The small pigeon island has a rugged island surrounded by a lush reef ecosystem. Rock formations and islets are the nesting and feeding ground for over 300 species of coral reef fish that hold the vivid underwater symphony intact. You can just relax, like every other shore, just make sure you bring your slippers all the way. Coral cuts are a very common occurrence here.
- Other water activities to do: If snorkeling is not your thing, a speedboat cruise is worth the trip itself. You will enjoy diving on the other side of Pigeon Island or even go fishing in the sea. Windsurfing is another alternative sport that you can do at Pigeon Island Beach, although you’ve got to be fortunate enough for the waves.
Other Features of Pigeon Island Sri Lanka: Hundreds of pigeons reside on the island, providing a beautiful sight. In 1963, the islands were designated refuge for the protection of these species. In 2003, the region was elevated to the status of a National Park and the borders were expanded to cover the marine reefs surrounding it.
Pigeon Island National Park has one of the best surviving coral reefs in the world. The line of the beach is well regarded as one of the most stunning on the island.
Things You Need to Know About Pigeon Island
- Pigeon Islands is one of the very few aquatic national parks in Sri Lanka that features some of the finest coral reefs in the country. And the other one on the Southern Coastal Belt of Hikkaduwa.
- It was used as a venue for shooting throughout the colonial period.
- It is home to almost 100 species of coral and 300 species of fish.
- The Black Tip Reef Shark is common throughout the island’s rich aquatic life, along with several colorful coral species of fish and turtles.
Our Responsibility: Some travelers are attempting to harm and pollute the reef and destroy it. The authorities must therefore take effective measures to eliminate and monitor tourism in the region. Travelers who are excited to see and appreciate their holidays in Sri Lanka should take a drive around Trincomalee and calm their minds. For nature enthusiasts, the whole city is well worth visiting wildlife, including the island.
Other Nearby Attractions and Distances:
- Mariyakkulama Buddhist Ruins [ 8.36 km ]
- Sri Sunandarama Rajamaha Viharaya Ruins [ 19.44 km ]
- Trincomalee Dolphin and Whale Watching [ 19.94 km ]
- Maduwakulama Archaeological Site [ 9.11 km ]
- Velgam Vehera [ 9.23 km ]
- Tank No 91 of the Giant Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm [ 19.45 km ]
- Fort Ostenburg [ 19.9 km ]
- British War Cemetery [ 11.91 km ]
- Bambaragala Monastery Ruins [ 12.3 km ]
- Must-Visit Anandakumar Tissa Forest Hermitage [ 14.18 km ]
- Nilaveli Beach [ 3.26 km ]
- Kumpuru Piddi Red Rock Ruins [ 8.05 km ]
- Historical Ruins at Sembumale [ 14.76 km ]
- Kuchchaveli Pichchamal viharaya [ 15.77 km ]
- Ancient Buddhist Ruins at the Kanniya Hot Water Wells [ 13.53 km ]
- Uppuveli Beach [ 13.56 km ]
- Gokana Viharaya [ 16.68 km ]
- Epic Kanniya Hot Water Wells [ 13.58 km ]
- Ramayana Site – Rock and Koneswaram temple [ 16.16 km ]
- Debaragala Monastery [ 12.96 km ]
- Sardarpura Archaeology Ruins [ 18.58 km ]
- Trincomalee [ 18.97 km ]
- Fort Frederick [ 16.83 km ]
- Four Historic Bo Trees [ 17.05 km ]
- Malayadikulama Wewa Archaeological Site [ 18.66 km ]
- Ruins close to the Vilankulam Reservoir [ 18.75 km ]
- Trincomalee Beach [ 17.12 km ]
- Atambagas Ulpotha Archaeological Ruins [ 17.93 km ]
- Mathugama Buddhist Ruins [ 21.11 km ]
- Archaeological Ruins at Masanwewa Viharaya [ 22.39 km ]
Contact us for visiting Pigeon Island Sri Lanka during your next holiday. We can include this fabulous tourist attraction in Trinco on your holiday in Trincomalee.