Pigeon Island National Park | AmazingLanka.com

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Size	471.429 hectares
Main attraction	Marine life, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling

Pigeon Island National Park consists of two small islands off the east coast north of Trincomalee. The island gets its name from the Blue Rock Pigeon, a native endangered bird that lives within the rocks in these islands. The islands were declared a sanctuary in 1963, and in 2003, this area was upgraded to the status of a National Park. Pigeon Islands are situated 1 km off the coast of Nilaveli, a coastal town in Eastern Province, encompassing a total area of 471.429 hectares.

During colonial oppression, Trincomalee was a highly strategic natural harbour that was valued by all colonial masters. This island, only about 20 kilometres away from the harbour, was used as a shooting range by the colonials. Pigeon Island National Park is one of the only three marine national parks in Sri Lanka, the other two being the Hikkaduwa Coral Reefs and Adam’s Bridge Marine National Park.

The two islands are called Large Pigeon Island and Small Pigeon Island. The Large Pigeon Island is fringed by a coral reef and is about 200 m long and 100 m wide. Its highest point is 44.8 m above mean sea level. The small pigeon island is surrounded by rocky islets. The mean annual temperature is around 27.0 °C (80.6 °F). The annual rainfall ranges between 1,000–1,700 millimetres (39–67 in), while most of the rain is received during the Northeastern monsoon season from October to March.

The reef here is shallow, making it an ideal snorkelling site, and it’s home to dozens of corals, hundreds of reef fish (including blacktip reef sharks), and turtles. This is an ideal place to spend your day under the shade of a tree or on the powder-like white sand. The recent surge of tourism has somewhat damaged the corals in the shallow areas by trampling while bathing.

Best Times to Visit Pigeon Island

The islands are mostly affected by the Northeastern monsoon season, which lasts from October to March. During this time, the sea can become rough and windy on certain days. When conditions are bad, the Navy may suspend all boat services to the island.

If you are traveling to Trincomalee specifically to visit the islands during the monsoon period, it’s a good idea to have backup plans, as boat services might be unavailable due to the weather.

The site is at its busiest from May to September, when the weather is generally calm and most favorable for visits. There are no time limits on how long you can stay. Generally, 2-3 hours on the island is enough.

The island can be visited at any time of the day. However, it tends to get crowded on weekends and can be extremely busy during long holiday periods.

Pigeon Island Ticket Prices

Tickets are issued from a small hut on the beach of Nilaveli operated by the Wildlife Department. You do not need brokers or any third party to buy the tickets. Just take a tuk-tuk to the beach and buy the ticket yourself.

Description / Category	Price
Local – Adults	LKR 150
Local – Children (6-12 years)	LKR 100
Local – Student	LKR 20
Local – Children (below 6 years)	FOC
Local – Group Fee (per vehicle)	LKR 400
Foreign – Adults	USD 25
Foreign – Children (6-12 years)	USD 15
Foreign SAARC Countries – Adults	USD 20
Foreign SAARC Countries – Children (6-12 years)	USD 10
Foreign – Children (below 6 years)	FOC
Foreign – Group Fee (per vehicle)	USD 10
Taxes on total cost	18%
Entrance Fee per vehicle	LKR 300

Ticket Price Schedule for 2025

For example, 2 foreigners with 1 child between 6-12 will have the cost of

Description	Cost
2 adults	USD 50.00
1 child	USD 15.00
Group Fee	USD 10.00
Total	USD 75.00
Tax (18%)	USD 13.50
Total	USD 88.50

The above calculation applies only to individual entry tickets as gazetted in 2022 and remain valid for 2025. The vehicle entry ticket, as listed separately, must be purchased in addition to the personal tickets.

Foreign visitors may make payments in USD or the equivalent amount in LKR. For the most up-to-date ticket prices, the Government Information Centre can be contacted on 1919. If a private safari jeep is hired for a land safari, rates generally range from LKR 7,500 to LKR 10,000 for a half-day excursion of about four hours, depending on the national park. A full-day safari is typically charged at twice the half-day rate.

Visiting Hours

All national parks in Sri Lanka operate daily throughout the year, remaining open from 6.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Entry ticket counters open at 6.00 a.m. and close at 4.00 p.m., and all vehicles are required to exit the parks strictly by 6.00 p.m.

Ride to Pigeon Island National Park

A number of hotels and guest houses have opened along the sandy beaches of Nilaveli since the end of the war. There are scuba dive operators based in these hotels who organize dive trips. The National Wildlife Park Office lies at Nilaveli Beach, and the entrance tickets to the island are the same as the entrance fee of any national park in Sri Lanka, as shown above.

There is a hut operated by the local boat owners’ association near the ticket hut where you could arrange a return trip. For a 6-8 seat boat, the charge is around LKR 15,000 (as of 2025). This will generally include a small detour to see dolphins as well. These can be organized outside of hotel arrangements by yourself.

Pigeon Island Snorkeling

Pigeon Island is a popular snorkeling destination, known for its vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life. Visitors often spot colorful corals, a variety of fish species, and occasionally turtles, rays, or even reef sharks.

The small bay at Pigeon Island is shallow and generally safe, making it suitable even for beginners. Most boat operators carry a few snorkels, which you can rent for a few hundred rupees.

What to Carry to Pigeon Island

The Island is bare, filled with shady trees on white sand. Whatever you need, you need to carry from the mainland. A few items that you may consider taking on the trip are.

Adequate drinking water
Snorkels / scuba gear
Sun lotion
A water-resistant bag for phones and other valuables, such as phones, in case of rain.
Any food you would need
A pair of slippers if you are sensitive to hot sand.
A pair of binoculars if you like to watch the rock pigeons.
Food or snacks that you may need.

Also See

Map of Pigeon Island National Park

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Travel Directions to Pigeon Island National Park

The Pigeon Island National Park can be reached through Dambulla and is approximately 280km from Colombo. If you are travelling from Colombo, you will have to reach Kurunegala through Kandy Road or Negombo Road. From Kurunegala take the Dambulla – Habarana Road.

Route from Colombo to Pigeon Island National Park

Through : Central Expressway – Kurunegala – Dambulla – Habarana – Trincomalee
Distance: 291 km
Travel time: 6.30 hours.
Driving Directions: see on Google Map