I’ve grown to love snorkeling more and more over the years. Recently, I had the chance to explore the underwater world at Pigeon Island in Sri Lanka. Here’s my midlifer’s take on snorkeling off Pigeon Island in Sri Lanka.
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Dreaming Underwater
I often dream of being underwater, marveling at the breathtaking beauty of marine life and its fascinating (and harmless) organisms. Anyone who has seen snorkeling or diving videos knows the magic of witnessing vibrant schools of fish gliding playfully through beams of sunlight underwater.
But, alas, I’m not a strong swimmer. Most of my snorkeling experiences have been in shallow waters with limited marine life or while wearing a life jacket, which lets me float while peering into the depths below.
CHECK MY VIDEO ON THE TRIP
Over the years, I’ve enjoyed several snorkeling sessions (and even tried snuba and scuba diving once). My best snorkeling experience so far had been earlier this year in Puerto Rico, where I went swimming near the capital San Jose. It was a protected bay and my instructor helped me gain a lot of confidence in treading deep waters.
When planning my trip to Sri Lanka (my post and video on flying Turkish Airlines business class from Toronto to Istanbul on my way to Sri Lanka), I knew I had to include a snorkeling adventure in the northeastern town of Trincomalee.
Exploring Pigeon Island
Pigeon Island is a group of two small islands: Little or Small Pigeon Island and Large Pigeon Island. Located about a kilometer off the coast of Nilaveli, a popular tourist town, it’s one of Sri Lanka’s three marine national parks.
The larger island is mostly surrounded by coral reefs, which are considered some of the best remaining reefs in the country. The smaller island is characterized by its rocky outcrops.
Pigeon Island is named after the blue rock pigeons that inhabit it, but it’s also home to diverse marine life, including certain types of sharks and turtles.
Planning My Snorkeling Trip to Pigeon Island in Sri Lanka
Now that I knew I wanted to do snorkelling, I had to find a guide. I was planning to stay in Nilaveli and I searched around. I found a blog post by Elisha Donkin who had written about her experience there. She had referred to Rangan, who is a guide/dive master, so I messaged him.
We messaged back and forth, and after ensuring his services, including safety measures, met my expectations, I decided to go with him.
We started our trip from Trincomalee, where Rangan’s diving center was located. After a quick introduction and payment, we got ready for the trip.
Preparing for the Snorkeling Adventure
Safety first! We were provided with life jackets, fins that fit our feet, and well-sized snorkeling goggles. Rangan then gave us a brief lesson on how to use the equipment.
And off we went to the beach and after Rangan and his assistants pushed the boat into the water, we all got in.
It took about twenty minutes to reach the Pigeon Island and once we arrived, we received more training, this time in how to navigate in the water. Walking with fins, after all, needs some training particularly to those who haven’t done this before. I have used fins before but still it wasn’t an easy task. The shore was full of pebbles and rocky in some areas, so losing one’s balance means falling on them.
The Underwater Experience
Holding onto a swimming ring that Rangan navigated, we ventured into the sea. The coral reefs were a mix of bleached areas (due to global warming) and thriving gardens bursting with color and life. About 100 species of corals can be found here, along with a variety of fish, including emperor angelfish and six-line wrasse.
And then came the highlight: the turtles. We spotted one or two during our swim, but the most unforgettable moment was when a giant turtle brushed past my shoulder. I turned, stunned, to see it gliding effortlessly away.
Unfortunately, my action cam failed to record this magical encounter. It was disappointing but, as they say, it is what it is. We also did not get to see any sharks because of weather.
We returned to the shore and went to the ‘back side’ of the island which is just a few meters away. Yes, the island is so narrow.
That side was rough as well, but I stayed for a while before returning.
As the day wore on, the sea became choppier, and our boat began pitching and plunging with the waves. Each drop felt like hitting a solid plank, making for a bumpy return ride.
Logistics and Tips for Snorkeling in Pigeon Island in Sri Lanka
The Main Island: The ‘front side’ of the island is where the boats anchor and where most of the action takes place while some go to the ‘back side’ for swimming or snorkelling.
- Facilities: There are no toilets, hotels, or restaurants on Pigeon Island. Visitors are ferried from the mainland.
- Best Time to Visit: The ideal season is from May to October, before the northeastern monsoon begins in November. I visited in early October, and the conditions were still favorable.
- Cost: The trip cost me LKR 20,000 as a foreigner, including the national park fee, boat ride, and guide services.
Equipment Notes
Rangan provided all the necessary snorkeling gear.
Whenever I set out to explore underwater, even though I’m not an expert swimmer, I always take my action cam. I don’t invest in expensive ones because technology evolves so quickly, and I prefer to get the latest affordable option instead. I had bought my current one more than a year ago.
I faced two main challenges during this trip:
- Where to Mount the Camera: The usual setup is to use a headband and position the camera on my forehead. However, for this trip, I decided to strap it around my forearm, closer to my wrist, so I could easily handle it with my hand.
- Battery Life: Cheaper action cams tend to have shorter battery life, so I couldn’t keep the camera on continuously. This was another reason I avoided mounting it on my forehead—it would have been difficult to switch it on and off frequently.
With the camera secured on my wrist, I turned it on whenever I spotted schools of fish or a turtle and switched it off afterward to conserve battery.
However, when I returned to the shore and reviewed the footage, I realized that the camera hadn’t worked most of the time. It was particularly disappointing to discover that I hadn’t captured the turtle that brushed past me.
Rangan, on the other hand, didn’t wear a life jacket and dove down whenever he spotted something interesting, capturing it with his camera.
As a result, I’ll be using the footage that Rangan shared with me. Wherever I’ve used his footage, I’ve credited him accordingly.
Final Thoughts on My Snorkeling Trip to Pigeon Island in Sri Lanka
Snorkeling at Pigeon Island was a fantastic experience that boosted my confidence in venturing into deeper waters (albeit with a life jacket). While I didn’t spot any sharks, the encounter with the giant turtle made the trip unforgettable.