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Just a short boat ride from the golden shores of Nilaveli Beach lies one of Sri Lanka’s most stunning marine treasures — Pigeon Island National Park. Named after the flocks of blue rock pigeons that nest among its rocky cliffs, this tiny island is a paradise for snorkelers, divers, and nature lovers.
A Hidden Underwater World
Beneath the crystal-clear turquoise waters, you’ll find a vibrant coral reef teeming with marine life — from colorful parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish to graceful sea turtles and harmless reef sharks. The shallow reef makes it one of the best snorkeling spots in Sri Lanka, even for beginners.
The Island Experience
The park actually consists of two small islands — the larger one fringed by coral reefs and the smaller one located a few hundred meters away. Visitors can walk around the rocky shores, relax on the white sandy beach, and enjoy panoramic views of the Indian Ocean.
A short boat trip from Nilaveli Beach (about 10–15 minutes) is all it takes to reach this natural wonder. The best time to visit is between April and October, when the sea is calm and visibility underwater is at its best.
Protected Natural Beauty
Declared a marine national park in 2003, Pigeon Island is one of only two such parks in Sri Lanka. It is home to over 100 species of coral and 300 species of reef fish. To protect this fragile ecosystem, visitors are encouraged to avoid touching the corals and to swim responsibly.
Perfect for Photography & Adventure
Whether you’re an underwater photography enthusiast, a beach lover, or someone looking for a peaceful escape, Pigeon Island offers a picture-perfect blend of adventure and tranquility. Its unique mix of wildlife, coral gardens, and calm waters makes it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the East Coast of Sri Lanka.
 "Dear Cyril, Thank you for truly amazing oneweek tour your beautiful country.We have seen so many amazing sites in such a short space of time. From Sigiriya to beautiful temples, Scenic tea gardens of Nuwaraeliya the colonial land ark hotel Mount Lavinia. We have seen so much more. You have made this an utterly memorable holiday with your expert knowledge, amazing, facinating stories, patience, careful+safe drivingand your unforgetable smile. We will cetainly recommonding your tours to all of fr..." Sara Kitson - UK
 "We are glad to meet Cyril. He is very kind and patient, very professional in his work. He have lot of knowledge about history of the places and the things that happened in Sri Lanka. He knows all the roads and places very well. Very friendly and stand on time. The tour he recommended us and places were excellent. He replied immediately for mails which we send. He was flexible when we asked him to stop in different places and to change our program. He speaks very good English and explanations..." Ruty Ben Haim from Isarel
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 "2nd to 15th November 2016 Dear Cyril, Thank you for arranging our first visit to your beautiful country. We had a very enjoyable, comfortable, safe, interesting and memorable holiday. All the accommodations you provided were very clean and comfortable and we will always remember the welcome, we felt when the smiling staff cheerfully looked after us and our every need. The itinerary you arranged was just right for us and made even better with the care you took whilst driving your very c..." Satwant and Doug from Australia
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 "Dear Cyril, Thanks for taking care of the Dr.Sethukavalar and his wife very well. They were indeed very happy for all the care you have shown during your tour. They were very impressed of your patience and kindness. I look forward to see you soon and maintain this good relationship we have developed in a short period of time. We will not hesitate a second to recommend you to all our friends who would like to visit Sri Lanka. Taking this opportunity of wishing you all the best. Thanks fo..." HARIDAS KANDASAMY
 "Thank you Cyril for making our Christmas holiday fun so smoothly and easy. We loved Sri Lanka and look forward to retuning again. Cyril, your knowledge and service was outstanding and it was so refreshing to have such a very highlevel of service. We will be sure to recomond your service and travel agency to our friends. Please feel free to use us as a reference, you can use my email or phone number to clients." Bruce Larson & family from USA
 "We had an excellent and memorable trip and all credits to Cyril. In-depth knowledge about the places, roads and history and culture. From the airport assistance - Food, accommodation provided and the vehicle was excellent. Very matured and patient, We being on safe hands. Thanks for making it a memorable experience for all of us. " Aubry De Souza and group from Dubai
 "Cyril was absolutly Fantastic,Veryhelpful, Patient and extremly knowledgable. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend and travel with him again. Whole tour was well organized and perfectly done. Kate Williams and family from UK 04th January 2015" Kate Williams UK