Things to do
Snorkelling at Pigeon Island
Reef sharks and turtles in waist-deep water
Snorkelling at Pigeon Island at a glance
- How long
- Half a day
- Usual start
- 7am
- Season
- May to October
- Effort
- Easy
- Minimum age
- None
- From
- $10 per person
Works well with children.
Pigeon Island is a national park a short boat ride off Nilaveli, north of Trincomalee, and it is the best easily reached snorkelling in Sri Lanka. The reef starts in water shallow enough to stand in and holds live coral, reef fish in numbers, turtles, and a resident population of blacktip reef sharks.
The sharks are the draw and they are entirely harmless — a metre or so long, uninterested in people, and usually cruising the shallows on the seaward side.
Going at the right time
The season is May to September, sometimes into October, in line with the east coast’s dry window. The rest of the year the sea is too rough and the boats do not run.
Within the day, go early. Boats start around 7am and the island is small; by mid-morning it can be busy, the water is stirred up and the shallow coral near the landing beach takes a beating.
Behaving on the reef
This matters more here than almost anywhere else on the island, because the reef is shallow, accessible and already damaged. The coral near the main landing beach has been broken by people standing on it to adjust a mask.
Do not stand on coral. Do not touch anything. Wear a rash vest rather than sunscreen — most sun creams contain compounds that bleach coral, and you will be in the water for two hours.
Ask your boatman to drop you on the far side, which is both healthier reef and quieter water.
What it costs
Park entry is around USD 10 per adult, plus the boat, which is usually shared and inexpensive. Masks and fins can be hired on the beach at Nilaveli, though bringing your own mask is worth it if you have one that fits.
How the day runs
-
15 min
Boat from Nilaveli
Boats start around 7am. The first of the day is calmest and least crowded.
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Off the landing beach
The shallow reef
Reef fish in numbers and, in the shallows, blacktip reef sharks. Damaged in places — do not stand.
-
Ask to be dropped
The far side
Healthier coral and far fewer people. Worth asking for specifically.
-
11am
Back before the crowd
The island fills through the morning. Being off it by late morning is the better plan.
Questions we get asked about Snorkelling at Pigeon Island
May to September, sometimes into October, which is the east coast dry season. Outside that window the sea is too rough and boats do not run. This is the exact opposite of the south coast season, which is what makes Trincomalee useful for a European summer trip.
No. They are blacktip reef sharks, around a metre long, and entirely uninterested in people. They cruise the shallows and are the main reason people snorkel here. Keep your distance out of courtesy rather than fear.
Park entry is around USD 10 per adult, plus a shared boat from Nilaveli which is inexpensive. Mask and fin hire is available on the beach, though a mask that actually fits is worth bringing.
Yes — the reef starts in shallow water and the boat ride is short. Buoyancy aids are available and worth using for weaker swimmers. The main thing to teach children before they get in is not to stand on the coral.
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