Pigeon Island Snorkeling Tour: Coral Reefs & Marine Life

Float above vibrant corals and watch parrotfish drift past in the current

Snorkeling at Pigeon Island is a 3-hour activity where you float on the surface with mask, snorkel and fins to observe coral reefs, fish, and occasionally turtles and rays in the designated snorkeling area 3 km offshore. The boat and equipment are included. Park entry (1,300 LKR per person) is paid at the meeting point. Non-swimmers can hire a guide for an additional fee. Children are welcome from age 5.

Step-by-step itinerary

Snorkeling at Pigeon Island

• Pay entrance ticket at meeting point
• Board boat to Pigeon Island
• Store bags and equipment safely
• Snorkel in designated area
• Return to boat after snorkeling
• Boat back to main beach

The experience

Pigeon Island sits 3 km from the main beach, and the boat takes you there after you've paid the park entrance fee at the meeting point. Once you arrive, you leave your bags and gear in a safe place and enter the water in the designated snorkeling area. The reef holds colorful corals, rocks, and steady populations of small fish: damselfish, boxfish, parrotfish, butterfly fish and bannerfish move through the water at different speeds and depths. Eels shelter in the rocks. On calmer days, you may see turtles, various rays, or blacktip reef sharks, though encounters are not guaranteed.

You spend 3 hours in the water, floating and observing at your own pace. The mask, snorkel and fins let you stay on the surface and watch the reef below without diving. If you cannot swim, you'll need to hire a guide and pay their fee separately: that arrangement is made before you depart. The boat collects you after the 3 hours and returns you to the main beach.

Public transportation is available near the meeting point. The activity is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy. All fitness levels are welcome otherwise.

What’s included

• Boat with round-trip transport to Pigeon Island.
• mask, snorkel and fins.
• park entrance ticket (1,300 LKR per person, paid at the meeting point).

Options for this experience

2 options

Shared trip including equipment08:30Lasts 3 hours on a shared boat: a return trip with snorkeling gear and entry tickets included.

All-inclusive private trip5 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 14:00Lasts 3 hours: a private boat for a round-trip journey with personal snorkeling gear. Includes entry tickets and boat with equipment.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 14:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 to 65 years) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 7

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 45

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Pigeon Island National Park

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to observe coral reefs and marine life without diving certification. The 3-hour float lets you watch the reef at your own pace, and the boat handles the logistics so you only show up and enter the water.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What will I see while snorkeling at Pigeon Island?

Pigeon Island's reef holds colorful corals, rocks, damselfish, boxfish, parrotfish, butterfly fish, bannerfish and eels. Turtles, rays and blacktip reef sharks appear occasionally, though sightings are not guaranteed.

Do I need to be able to swim to snorkel at Pigeon Island?

If you cannot swim, you can hire a guide for an additional fee. The guide arrangement is made before departure.

What's included in the snorkeling activity at Pigeon Island?

The boat, round-trip transport, mask, snorkel and fins are included. Park entry (1,300 LKR per person) is paid separately at the meeting point.

How long does the snorkeling at Pigeon Island last?

The activity runs 3 hours in the water, plus time for the boat journey to and from the island.

Is hotel pickup included with this snorkeling activity?

Hotel pickup is not included. Public transportation is available near the meeting point, where you'll pay the park entrance fee before boarding the boat.