Pigeon Island National Park

Pigeon Island National Park spans 471 hectares across two islands, featuring sandy beaches, rocky outcrops, and extensive coral reef systems supporting marine biodiversity.

The area transitioned from a colonial-era shooting range to a wildlife sanctuary in 1963 before gaining national park status in 2003 as Sri Lanka's seventeenth protected zone.

The park draws its name from the native rock pigeons that established colonies on the island, creating a natural sanctuary for these birds over generations.

The entrance fee structure varies between local visitors at 350 rupees and international guests at 2000 rupees, with additional costs for snorkeling equipment rentals.

The marine ecosystem harbors over 300 fish species, multiple sea turtle varieties, and blacktip reef sharks swimming among 100 different coral types.

Inception: 2003

GPS coordinates: 8.71667,81.20000

Latest update: May 12, 2025 01:02