How to get to Pigeon Island from Nilaveli beach?
We are staying in Nilaveli. Do we need to pre-book a ferry to Pigeon Island, or just show up at the beach?
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5 Answers from travellers
Just walk down to the beach at Nilaveli. There is a Navy/Wildlife Department ticket counter right on the sand. You buy your park entrance ticket there, and the local boatmen are waiting right next to it to take you across.
Make sure to rent snorkeling gear from your hotel or a shop on the beach BEFORE you get on the boat. There are no rental shops on the island itself.
Go early! Like 8 AM. By 11 AM the island gets crowded and the sand gets kicked up in the water, reducing snorkeling visibility.
You don't need to pre-book anything. The boat ride takes about 10-15 minutes. It costs around 2000-3000 LKR for the boat return trip, plus the national park entrance fee.
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