Pigeon Island National Park
Pigeon Island National Park is near the Nilaveli Beach in Sri Lanka. This National Park is amongst the 17 national parks in the country, but amongst the only two marine national parks in the entire region. This area is protected due to the aftermath of the 2004 Tsunami, which caused a lot of damage to the marine and coral life. This national park is also known to have the best coral reefs in the entire country! The rocky island is also home to rock pigeons, based on which the national park gets its name.
Diving and snorkeling are two everyday activities done here, apart from safari and hike.
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Snorkeling/ Diving/ Swimming
For those who do not know this already- this national park is a marine national park. So, the primary ways to explore the national park are to walk around the land, scuba diving or snorkeling. One may even take beat rides here. You can book professional diving lessons at the nearby shops or ask your hotel to arrange one for you. A typical scuba diving session can cost as low as 2,400 INR to as high as 8,000 INR! The cost of the diving sessions will depend on your number of dives and the timing for each jump. If you are not an enthusiast of diving or snorkeling, the site is also perfect for casual swimming.
Boating/ Speed Boating/ Sailing
While sailing depends on the wind, you can try your hands at boating or speed boating.
Wildlife and Flora
Because it is a marine national park, more than any animals, you will see here over a hundred species of corals and coral reef fishes. The coral reef here is rich in coral life and vertebrates and invertebrates. Sharks, turtles, such as olive ridley, hawksbill and green turtle, there are rock pigeons here to find.
Flora, consisting of coral flora, has over 100 identified species of flora. You might be lucky enough to find some new ones here as well.
There are two islands to explore here- a small and a large pigeon island. Even though the islands are tiny, you will be surprised at how closely you can see the marine life.
The Pigeon National Park is located offshore to the Nilaveli beach. It is only a few kilometres from the beach and can be accessed by road or by waterways. The national park reef is shallow, which makes it an excellent place for diving and snorkeling. The rocky island is home to rock pigeons, based on which the name of the national park was given.
The name of the national park comes from the rock pigeons that nest here. This region, during the colonial era, was a prime spot for hunting. Even though the Pigeon National Park was as a sanctuary in 1963, it was classified as a national park in 2003.
Due to unregulated tourism in this region, the aquatic and coral life has depleted and degraded considerably. Due to this reason, the area is now closely monitored so that marine life can be saved from further harm.
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