Nilaveli Beach & Pigeon Island National Park

 
Nilaveli Beach is located on the East Coast of Sri Lanka, known the world over for its beautiful soft white sand beaches which slope gently into clear shallow seas, the vast Indian Ocean which washes on to the shores of this coastal resort holds a treasure chest of dreams just waiting to be opened.
Here you could swim around the multi-hued reef protecting the island like so many layers of ribbon cake – turquoise, ochre, salmon pink, smoky grey, sandstone and cobalt blue – and revel in an underwater world of colourful translucence, feasting your eyes on shoals of jewel-hued fish darting among the surrounding coral and rocks.

Pigeon Island Located 275 Km from Colombo, on the East coast along the pristine beach of Nilaveli and considered as one of the finest unspoilt beaches in Asia with white sands and clear blue seas. The ideal season on the East coast is from April to October. The area overlooks the pigeon island now a breeding ground for migratory birds, was originally used by the British during the second world war for target practice. Pigeon island is also an excellent location for Game snorkeling. A popular Hindu temple perched high a top Swami Rock which divides Trincomalee's emeralds bays. The other places of interest are Fort Fredrick,remnant of Trinco's colonial history. The Nilaveli Beach on the East Coast is “the other side of the island”, one that remains pristine, pure and very private even today – it is undoubtedly the best in Sri Lanka and one of the premier beaches in Asia. Nilaveli is the ultimate getaway for those who wish for quiet bliss on a tropical heaven, far away from the cares of life.

Pigeon Island National Park

Pigeon Island National Park is one of the two marine national parks of Sri Lanka. The national park is situated 1 km off the coast of Nilaveli, a coastal town in Eastern Province. The island's name derives from the Rock Pigeon which has colonized it. The national park contains some of the best remaining coral reefs of Sri Lanka. Pigeon Island was designated as a sanctuary in 1963. In 2003 it was redesignated as a national park. This national park is the 17th in Sri Lanka. The island was used as a shooting range during the colonial era. Pigeon Island is one of the several protected areas affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004.

                                                                                                         
                                                                                1. Hikkaduwa Marine National Park


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