With a name like Pigeon Island National Park, you would think the main draw of this attraction would be pigeons, but actually, the real ‘stars’ here lie beneath the waves… and no, they are not pigeons who dwell underwater!
Image Credit- Dschen Reinecke, Sri Lanka-Trincomalee-Pigeon Island, CC BY-SA 3.0
Why pigeon?
Pigeon Island was named after one of its bird residents, the rock pigeon. While this may be so, the two islands which make us this site are part of a marine national park, one of only two such sanctuaries in Sri Lanka home to a stunning array of coral and marine life.
Getting Here
Pigeon Island National Park lies around 1 km from the coastline of Nilaveli and is one of the top places to visit in Trincomalee. Certain hotels offer tours to the island, while local boat operators also provide return trips. April to September is generally considered the best time to visit.
Underwater discoveries
This marine national park is blessed with more than 100 coral species, not to mention countless reef fish species that can be seen in the waters surrounding the islands. Tours with a naturalist offered by hotels like Jungle Beach by Uga Escapes will help you learn more about this rich biodiversity.
Fun activities
With so much colourful marine life present, snorkelling and diving are two of the most popular activities at Pigeon Island National Park. When the seas are calm, one can go swimming too while it’s important to also try spot the island’s namesake, the humble rock pigeon, lest they feel left out!
Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life. Google+
