Initially used a shooting ground during the colonial era, Pigeon Island is situated 1 km off the coast of Nilaveli with its powdery white sands and glistening coral reefs. It is one of the various protected areas by the Indian Ocean tsunami which hit in 2004.

A nesting area for rock pigeons, the island is stunning enough, with rock pools and paths running into the thickets, but it’s the underwater landscape that’s the real prize. The reef here is shallow, making snorkeling almost as satisfying as diving, and it houses dozens of corals, many reef fish (including blacktip reef sharks), and turtles.

Recently, the surge in tourism has damaged the reef to a degree, so don't expect a pristine marine environment on the brink of the shore, some days trip goers stomp the shallow corals. The Pigeon Island national park ticket booth is on the beach ahead of the Anilana hotel. like all national parks in Sri Lanka, the varied fees and charges are myriad and may add up.

The local boat owners association, Nilaveli Private Boat Service, features a hut next to the park office where you'll arrange trips. Most dive shops provide trips here, as do many hotels. The busiest times to go to are May to September.