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The Pearl Edition

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Adventure · Trincomalee, Eastern Province

Snorkel & dive
the coral at Pigeon Island

A protected reef a short boat ride off Trincomalee, with reef sharks, turtles and living coral.

$40–90Typically · per person
May–SepBest season
1 dayTrip length

The experience

Sri Lanka's clearest reef water

Pigeon Island National Park protects some of the best-preserved coral reef in Sri Lanka, a short boat ride from Nilaveli beach. Calm, deep-water conditions off Trincomalee keep visibility high nearly year-round, with blacktip reef sharks a regular sighting in the shallows.

Both snorkelling and scuba options are available, suiting complete beginners through certified divers, with dense coral gardens, turtles and reef fish throughout.

Best forSnorkellers, divers, families
Meeting pointNilaveli beach, morning
Group sizeSmall boat group
Combine withTrincomalee city, whale watching
IncludesBoat, snorkel/dive gear, guide

What to expect

A day on the reef

Wildlife
Blacktip reef sharks
Small and harmless, and a regular sighting in the island's shallows.
Reef
Dense coral gardens
Some of Sri Lanka's healthiest surviving coral, thick with reef fish.
Water
Exceptional visibility
Trincomalee's calm harbour keeps the water clear almost year-round.

Good to know

Before you book

Best months
May – Sep
East coast dry season brings the calmest seas and best underwater visibility.
Certification
Not required to snorkel
Snorkelling needs no certification; scuba diving requires at least an Open Water certificate.
Reef care
Look, don't touch
Reef-safe sunscreen only, and avoid standing on or touching coral.
Combine easily
Near whale watching
Trincomalee also offers seasonal whale watching, easy to combine with a reef day.

Trincomalee, in a route

Reef off the beach

Pigeon Island, and coral close enough to swim to.

Build a trip around Trincomalee

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