With its powdery white sands and glittering coral gardens and lying just 1km off shore, Pigeon Island is a gem of the Indian Ocean. A nesting area for rock pigeons, the island has its own attractions with pools and paths running through thickets, but most people choose to explore the underwater landscape. The reef here is shallow, making snorkeling almost as satisfying as diving, and it’s home to dozens of corals, reef fish (including blacktip reef sharks) and turtles.
Irresponsible tourism has somewhat damaged the reef. As such, it's important to avoid contributing to the problem by refraining from standing on corals, removing litter and paying national park fees for the protection of this special site.
The Pigeon Island National Park Ticket Office is on the beach in front of the Anilana hotel. The park is busy between May and September.
