Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Pigeon Island National Park
DIVING, SNORKELLING
(adult/child US$10/5, plus boat fee Rs125, service charge per group US$8, VAT 12%; 7am-5.30pm)
Floating in the great blue 1km offshore, Pigeon Island, with its powdery white sands and
glittering coral gardens, tantalises with possibilities. A nesting area for rock pigeons, the
island is beautiful enough, with rock pools and paths running through thickets, but it's the
underwater landscape that's the real star. The reef here is shallow, making snorkelling al-
most as satisfying as diving, and it's home to dozens of corals, hundreds of reef fish (in-
cluding blacktip reef sharks) and turtles.
Note that the recent surge in tourism has damaged the reef to a degree, so don't expect a
pristine marine environment. Close to the shore, some daytrippers stomp all over shallow
coral.
The Pigeon Island National Park ticket office is on the beach in front of the Anilana
hotel. As with all national parks in Sri Lanka, the various fees and charges are myriad and
really add up. And this excludes boat charter and snorkelling gear rental costs!
Dive shops including Poseidon Diving School and Sri Lankan Diving Tours offer trips
here, as do many hotels.
Note that the navy base in Trincomalee has a decompression chamber that can (al-
legedly) be reached by ambulance in 10 minutes.
Poseidon Diving Station
DIVING
whale-watching trips per 3 people €130; Apr-Nov)
This well-organised school offers lots of scuba action, including PADI open water certific-
ation courses (€300), fun dives and snorkelling trips to Pigeon Island. Whale-watching
boat trips searching for blue whales and sperm whales are also offered.
Nilaveli Private Boat Service
BOAT TRIP, SNORKELLING
12,000)
The local boatmen's association has set prices for the Pigeon Island trip - Rs 1700 per boat
- while snorkelling gear costs Rs 600 per day to rent. Boat hire costs the same whether it's
