Why Nilaveli & Pigeon Island will steal your heart
Just offshore from the long, sandy beach at Nilaveli, north of Trincomalee, lies a small rocky island ringed by coral. This is Pigeon Island, one of only two marine national parks in Sri Lanka, and one of the island's best snorkelling spots.
The island is named after the rock pigeons that nest on it. A short boat ride from Nilaveli takes you there, and you can explore its small beach and rocky trails before slipping into the water.
Under the surface is a colourful world of coral gardens and tropical fish: parrotfish, butterflyfish, angelfish and more. Turtles often glide by, and the park is famous for its blacktip reef sharks, which patrol the shallows. They're shy and harmless, but thrilling to see.
Pigeon Island is popular, so arrive early to enjoy the reef at its quietest. Be careful not to touch the coral or stand on it, and use reef-safe sun cream.
Afterwards, relax on Nilaveli's long, quiet beach, one of the finest on the east coast. From around May to September, the sea here is calm and clear, making it perfect for summer holidays.
