Pigeon Island National Park Sri Lanka

"The ticket counter open at 8.30 pm and opened till evening. It is managed by an officer from the Forest Reservation Department. Ticket prices are approximately USD 40 for foreigners and LKR 800 for locals. Tickets issued here must be presented at the Forest Department counter located on Pigeon Island.

There are plenty of boats available for transport, each accommodating around 8 passengers. Boat charges are settled separately with the boat operators and cost around LKR 8,000 for a 3–4 hour trip. The boat ride from the ticket counter to Pigeon Island takes approximately 10 minutes.

Car parking is available near the ticket counter, managed by local residents. Freshwater and toilet facilities are also provided in the area."

Chamil Suresh

"This place is Entrance B ticket office.

If you want to go to pigeon island , first need to take tickets from this place.

Ticket counter maintained by Department of wildlife officers.
Foreigners ticket price is 40 USD while locals price is less than 400 LKR per head. Children below 12, gets half price ticket. For locals it is required to show national ID or similar documents to prove they are locals.

If you want to snorkel , you need to add it to ticket with additional price. For locals around 350 LKr per head. Make sure not to forget this.

Once tickets are secured , next step is to get a boat. There are plenty of boats numbers B1, B2 , B3 etc.. Boat price is 8000 LKR and upto seven people can go in one boat. 8000 LKR seems standard value there. Boatmen will drop you in island and will come back to pick you once you finish your activities in island.

All boats have their own life jackets and snorkeling kits for rent out. Those items
can be rent to tourists with 500 each for snorkeling kits or life jackets.

Once you reach at island , first show the tickets to wild life officers. Tourists are allowed to snorkel in front side of island ( side which boats arrive ) if they accompany with a guide. Guides are available at a cost of 2000 LKR and around, it is suggested to get a help of a guide, he will take you through live corals and beautiful species of fish , turtles and sharks.

Back side of island can be also used for snorkeling, this side can be snookered without a guide. But this side contains mostly the dead corals and lesser fish.

Recommend to ask for a service of a guide to get maximum out of the snorkeling experience."

Uditha N.D. Silva

"Pros and cons… please see both. 😉
Very nice island worth visiting. 1-2h - especially for kids as it has a Robinson Crusoe feel to it.
Snorkeling: Corals are almost all dead but many sea-turtles and black-tip reef shark. However, the snorkeling gear provided is exceptionally poor and almost completely ruining the experience.
I very much recommend renting snorkeling gear from one of the proper dive centers (e.g. Pearl dive center) or at the very minimum, asking to see and fit snorkeling gear prior to departing/paying.
Snorkles were the kind you buy for children in a toy-store. Mask was too little for me and no soap provided, so besides taking in water, it quickly got foggy.
My daughters snorkle took in water and at least for her, the snorkeling was pointless despite sharks and turtles.
Earlier same day, we had excellent snorkeling trip with Pearl Divers but they don’t have access to Pigeon Island.
Note fairly high prices due to special admission fee for national park.
Just prior to closing time (17:00) my daughter had the great/fun experience of walking in shallow water opposite side of snorkeling and 2 baby sharks came swimming by. This made the entire trip worth it."

Jesper Zac