Wildlife

Pigeon Island National Park

East Coast 4.3
06:00 to 18:00 (boat access) $52 $$ Family-friendly

Pigeon Island National Park is a tiny coral island marine park off Nilaveli with some of the country’s best snorkelling, reef sharks, turtles and shoals over living coral. Getting there: Short boat from Nilaveli beach. Open 06:00 to 18:00 (boat access). Entry USD 52.

Best on a dawn or dusk safari. Book a jeep and keep a respectful distance.

Good to know

Hours06:00 to 18:00 (boat access)
Getting thereShort boat from Nilaveli beach.
Get around Trains, buses & Metro · Journey times

Make a day of it

5 stops nearby · ~25 km · approx $49/person

  1. 1 Pigeon Island National Park You’re here
  2. 2 Nilaveli Beach 3.4 km
  3. 3 Pigeon Island Tours 4.7 km
  4. 4 Velgam Vehera Buddhist Temple | වෙල්ගම් වෙහෙර 10.1 km
  5. 5 Amaranthé Bay Resort & Spa 12.2 km

Rough per-person estimate from sourced rates (PickMe/km, meals, entry). Confirm locally.

Directions Open the route in Google Maps

Nearby

Pigeon Island Marine National Park1.2 kmPigeon Island Marine National ParkNilaveli Beach3.4 kmNilaveli Beach Pigeon Island Tours ★ 4.6 4.7 km away Diving DIVINGURU Nilaveli, PADI 5 Star IDC Dive Resort, S-23912 ★ 4.8 5.1 km away Diving Velgam Vehera Buddhist Temple | වෙල්ගම් වෙහෙර10.1 kmVelgam Vehera Buddhist Temple | වෙල්ගම් වෙහෙරSally Muthumariyamman Temple, சல்லி அம்மன் கோவில்11.8 kmSally Muthumariyamman Temple, சல்லி அம்மன் கோவில்

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Common questions

How do I get to Pigeon Island National Park?

Short boat from Nilaveli beach.

What are the opening hours at Pigeon Island National Park?

Pigeon Island National Park is open 06:00 to 18:00 (boat access). Hours can change on poya days and public holidays, so confirm before you travel.

How much is entry to Pigeon Island National Park?

Entry is USD 52 for foreign visitors at the last check. Ticket prices are reviewed periodically, so treat this as a guide and confirm at the gate.

Is Pigeon Island National Park suitable for children?

Yes. Pigeon Island National Park works well for families, though younger children will need supervision and shade breaks.

Is Pigeon Island National Park wheelchair accessible?

No. Pigeon Island National Park involves steps or uneven ground and is not step-free, so it is difficult for wheelchair users.

How current is this information?

These details were last verified in 2026-06. Time-sensitive details such as fees and opening hours should always be confirmed with the official source before you travel.

Last verified: 2026-06 Source ↗