Description

The Pigeon Island National park, fringed by a coral reef near Nilaveli beach, was named as a National Park under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance in 2003. It is unique because the only national park in the nation to harbour a colony of the gorgeous Blue Rock pigeons and contains some of the best surviving coral reefs in the country. Over 100 varieties of corals and more than 300 reef fish species have been recognised from the Trincomalee region. Many of these species are found within the Pigeon Islands National Park, consisting of about five hectares of land. About 1000 meters range into the sea with the coral reef as the national park border. The island is toured by boat, and it was launched for tourism in 2002.