Pigeon Island National Park

Pigeon Island National Park is a marine national park off the eastern coast of Sri Lanka near Nilaveli and Trincomalee, protecting two small islets and surrounding coral reef. The park is one of Sri Lanka’s marine-protected areas focused on reef conservation and tourism-led activities.

Visitors go to the islets for snorkeling, reef observation and short coastal walks; the surrounding shallow reefs host corals, reef fish and invertebrates visible with basic snorkel gear. Boat trips from Nilaveli or Trincomalee are the normal mode of access and commonly visit multiple reef sites in a single outing. The islands themselves are compact and offer limited facilities, so most activity centers on water-based recreation.

The area was designated for protection to conserve coastal reef habitats and to regulate tourism and fishing impacts; the management objective is to balance conservation with controlled visitor use. The islets have been used historically for small-scale local activities and now form part of the protected park.

The park lies off the eastern shoreline of Sri Lanka in the Trincomalee area, about 1 kilometre from the Nilaveli coast, with boat access from local harbours and beach launch points.

• Boat access and snorkelling: The park is best visited by boat from Nilaveli or Trincomalee; short local boat trips take visitors directly to snorkel sites on the reefs.
• Coral reef conservation: The park protects fringing coral reef and associated marine life; reef health and visibility are seasonal and affected by weather and sea conditions.

What to See #

• Main and secondary islets: The main island and a smaller companion islet, both surrounded by fringing coral reef that supports snorkelling and reef fish assemblages.
• Snorkel sites: Specific shallow reef sites on the seaward side are commonly visited by boat from Nilaveli and Trincomalee for snorkelling trips.