About Pigeon Island
Sri Lanka has mainly two marine national parks. Among them, this pigeon island national park takes a special place among tourists. The reason for this is the living coral reefs that can still be seen here. Pigeon Island, which is as an island separate from the land in the northeastern part of Sri Lanka, is located off the coastal town of Nilaveli of the Trincomalee district in Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. To get to Pigeon Island, you have to sail a distance of nearly two kilometers in the sea by boat.
Pigeon Island National Park covers an area of over 470 hectares and was classified as a sanctuary in the early 1960s but was named to a National Park in 2003. Pigeon Island, Sri Lanka’s 17th national park, gets its name from the pigeons that inhabit it.
The best time to visit Pigeon island national park is during the summer season between June and October. In that time you can enjoy a calm sea beach with beautiful bright weather. Nilaveli beach is also amazingly beautiful for that time.
However, It is also possible to visit it between time of late November when the winter season begins and the April. But during that period, the coast near Nilaveli shows a rather rough nature.
Attractions arround Pigeon Island
Koneswaram Temple
The ancient Koneswaram Hindu temple is another attraction for tourists who come to Trincomalee to visit Pigeon Island. A large statue of the Hindu God worshiped by Hindu devotees has been built on the hill where this temple is located. As it is a temple located on a ridge, you can see a beautiful view of the Indian Ocean from here.
Kanniya Hot Springs Wells
These hot water wells located in Kannia can be named as another sightseeing spot in Trincomalee district. Consisting of 7 wells, this has a great mythological significance. The villagers believe that Ravana, an ancient legendary king who is said to have lived in Sri Lanka, created these wells for his mother. They believe that these wells also have healing powers. Tourists who come here have the opportunity to bathe in these hot water wells.