Pigeon Island National Park

The Pigeon Island National Park is located on two islands (Large Pigeon Island and Small Pigeon Island), 1 kilometer off the Nilaveli coast, in the Eastern province. The islands are known as the ‘Pigeon Islands’ because of the concentration of rock pigeons found there. Rumour has it the two island were once a colonial shooting range. The islands are connected by a sand bank and fringed by a coral reef in which many species of coral and coral reef fish are found. The islands were designated a sanctuary in 1963 and elevated to status of national park in 2003. Blacktip reef shark have been spotted in the shallow areas around the island, and a variety of other sea creatures—ornamental fish, Hawksbill turtle, green turtle and olive ridley, count among those that can be found there. Pigeon Island was cut off from the public during the war, but has seen increased tourism since the war ended in 2009.

Information on how to access these parks, entrance tickets and places to stay nearby can be obtained by contacting the Visitor Services Management Division of the Department of Wildlife Conservation on the number listed on their website.