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but it’s the underwater landscape that’s the
real star. The reef here is shallow, making
snorkelling almost as satisfying as diving,
and it’s home to dozens of corals, hundreds
of reef fish (including blacktip reef sharks)
and turtles.
Note that the recent surge in tourism has
damaged the reef to a degree, so don’t expect
a pristine marine environment. Close to the
shore, some daytrippers stomp all over shal-
low coral.
The Pigeon Island National Park ticket
office is on the beach in front of the Anilana
hotel. As with all national parks in Sri Lan-
ka, the various fees and charges are myriad
and really add up. And this excludes boat
charter and snorkelling gear rental costs!
Dive shops, including Poseidon Diving
School and Sri Lankan Diving Tours, offer
trips here, as do many hotels.
Note that the navy base in Trincomalee
has a decompression chamber that can
(allegedly) be reached by ambulance in 10
minutes.oPoseidon Diving School DiViNg
(%077 706 9442; http://www.divingsrilanka.com; at
Pigeon island View guest house; whale-watching
trips per 3 people €130; hApr-Nov) This well-
organised school offers lots of scuba action,
including PADI open water certification
courses (€300), fun dives and snorkelling
trips to Pigeon Island. Whale-watching
boat trips searching for blue whales and
sperm whales are also offered.Nilaveli Private
Boat Service B oAT TriP, sNorKelliNg
(%071 593 6919; fishing trips rs 2500,
whale-watching trips per 4 people rs 12,000) The
local boatmen’s association has set pric-
es for the Pigeon Island trip – Rs 1700 per
boat – while snorkelling gear costs Rs 600
per day to rent. Boat hire costs the same
whether it’s a full day (7am to 5.30pm) or a
couple of hours. You’ll find captains at the
beach by the ticket office. Fishing trips and
whale-watching excursions are also offered.4 leeping & EatingS
Nilaveli has around a dozen or so places
to stay, most in the midrange and top-end
categories. There are a couple of budget
places but they’re poor value and not
worth it. Note that off-season things are
very quiet in Nilaveli.
If you’re searching for a place to stay, a
tuk-tuk is definitely worth hiring – accom-modation is very spread out. All of the fol-
lowing serve food.Seaway Hotel hoTel $$
(%223 2212; r with fan rs 4500, with air-con 7500-
10,000; aW) Set just off the beach, the invit-
ing Seaway offers a wide choice of accommo-
dation in a huge grassy compound (which
could do with some landscaping). There are
three classes of rooms, from smallish but
clean fan-cooled budget digs with cold-water
bathrooms and front porches to very attrac-
tive modern options with attractive furnish-
ings, minibar, hot water and balconies.
Staff are friendly and helpful and there’s a
thatched roof restaurant for good breakfasts
(Rs 400) and Sri Lankan and Western meals
(Rs 450 to 750).Pigeon Island
View Guest House gUesThoUse $$
(%223 2238; http://www.pigeon-island.com; d/tr from
rs 4000/5000; aW) Thanks to its peaceful
beachside location, this place is an excellent
choice. The three-storey pink structure is
somewhat functional and rooms are a little
spartan, but they are airy and clean. Eager,
helpful staff enhance the welcoming vibe
and local meals are moderately priced (Rs
400 to 800) and plentiful. Located at the end
of a lonely dirt road.:::::::::::::::::::::::6
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#ß########
##ÿÿÿÿ##p#ØNILAVELI
VILLAGEIrak
kan
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La
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nINDIAN
OCEAN17 km
PostMilitary
Base16 km
Post15 km
Post14 km
PostLotus
Post18 km
PostPoseidon
Diving
SchoolSeaway
HotelPigeon
Island View
Guest HouseNilaveli Private
Boat ServicePigeon Island
Beach ResortAnilana
NilaveliNilaveli e
Uppuveli (6km);D
Trincomalee (12km)DIrakkandy (2km); KuPulmoddai (36km)chchaveli (16km);
D
Pigeon Island
National Park (1km)00 .4 km
00 .2 miles