Pigeon Island Marine National Park

You can get to Pigeon Island from 2 locations. 1) From the Nilaveli beach road and the other from the Nilaveli beach hotel road both roads are just a few hundred meters apart. I recommend the Nilaveli beach hotel road because it's less congested. The beach road gives access to the public beach area and is mostly crowded. The beach road has shops if you want to buy something but the hotel doesn't have any. The hotel road is mainly for tourists at the surrounding hotels who are going to the island but doesn't mean locals can't. At the end of the road you will find the beach and from there you can buy tickets for the island. Tickets are not issued after 4pm. Tickets - 350 per person and If you want to do snorkeling you have to pay an extra fee of another 350 per person. I recommend you go for snorkeling as well because it's very safe and also it's absolutely amazing to be able to witness the sealife. Boat Service - A boat costs 8k back and forth and can accommodate about 6 to 8 people. You will also need to rent a life jacket and snorkel with goggles for snorkeling which 1000 per person.

Before you go the island change into your clothes required for getting into the water because changing at the island is quite challenging. Just carry a small bag required for your phone and wallet. You have to leave at bag the check in counter at the island unless you have a waterproof carry case. So don't carry anything unless you really need it. There is nothing you can buy in the island. You will only need cash if you wish to pay for a guide for snorkeling which is 500 per person.

Snorkeling - There are two sections for snorkeling. You don't a guide for either section. If you can swim then with a life jacket on you will be fine. Section one is not very deep. It's rocky at the bottom so you can always sit or stand on rocks. Here you should be able to manage on your own upto about 75m from the shore. You will see ample fish here but the seabed is very dull.

Section 2 is very deep so even with a jacket I would recommend a guide if are not a good swimmer. You are also not allowed to stand on the corals because although it gets deep after a few meters the first few meters also have corals and you have to float all the way without stepping on them. The guide will provide you with a buoy so all you have to do is hold on to the buoy and he will take you around. This place is amazing! The sea bed is full of corals and lots of color full fish. It's like watching a 4k video. If you are lucky you will also see reef sharks and turtles.

You can stay in the island for about 3 hours. This is enough time for snorkeling and a stroll around the island.

P.S. You will only see pigeons if you climb up the mountain. Apparently there are snakes in the island and the pigeons are falling prey to them and the pigeon population has declined.