Overview in Negombo

Negombo, Sri Lanka · Animals, Beaches, Food, Boat Tours, Day Trips · USD 110

Trincomalee day trip from Sigiriya: private car to Nilaveli beach, Koneswaram Temple and optional Pigeon Island snorkeling. From US$110 per car. Swap ancient ruins for white sand on our private Trincomalee day trip from Sigiriya. Your English-speaking driver picks you up from your hotel in Sigiriya, Dambulla or Habarana at about 6:00 am, and about two hours later you are on the east coast, ready for a swim. The price covers your private return transport for the day: US$110 for 1 to 3 people in a car, or US$140 for 4 to 7 people in a van. Add a boat trip to Pigeon Island for snorkelling in the booking box. Pigeon Island snorkeling From Nilaveli, a short boat ride takes you to Pigeon Island National Park, where shallow coral reefs are home to blacktip reef sharks, turtles and bright reef fish. The boat and snorkelling gear cost US$35 per person when booked with us; the national park ticket is paid at the beach. Read more about Pigeon Island National Park. Nilaveli beach and Trincomalee town After snorkelling, relax on Nilaveli beach, one of the longest and quietest beaches in Sri Lanka. In the afternoon, visit the cliff-top Koneswaram Temple inside Fort Frederick, with views over the ocean where whales and dolphins are often seen. Read more about Trincomalee. When to go The east coast is at its best from about April to October, when the sea is calm and clear. From November to March the north-east monsoon can make the sea rough and the boats to Pigeon Island may not run, but the beach and temple are still worth the trip. More day tours from Sigiriya and Dambulla This is one of our private day tours from Dambulla and Sigiriya. See all day tours from Dambulla and Sigiriya → Highlights - Trincomalee day trip from Sigiriya with hotel pickup at about 6:00 am - Swim and relax on Nilaveli beach - Optional Pigeon Island snorkeling with reef sharks and turtles - Visit the cliff-top Koneswaram Temple - Private air-conditioned car (1–3 people) or van (4–7 people) with an English-speaking driver - Transport from US$110 · boat and tickets extra Itinerary Your driver collects you from your hotel in Sigiriya, Dambulla or Habarana at about 6:00 am. We confirm the exact time after booking. Head north-east through Habarana and the dry-zone forest to Trincomalee and Nilaveli, arriving at about 8:30 am. Take a boat to Pigeon Island and snorkel over the coral reef with reef sharks, turtles and colourful fish. Boat and gear US$35 per person; park ticket paid at the beach. Seafood lunch at a beach restaurant (not included), then swim and relax on Nilaveli beach. Visit the colourful Hindu temple on Swami Rock, high above the sea, inside the old Fort Frederick. Drive back west to your hotel in Sigiriya, Dambulla or Habarana. What’s included Included - Private air-conditioned car or van for the day - English-speaking driver - Hotel pickup and drop-off in Sigiriya, Dambulla or Habarana - Fuel and parking fees Not included - Pigeon Island boat and snorkelling gear (US$35 per person, can be added when you book) - Pigeon Island National Park ticket - Meals and drinks - Tips for your driver (optional) FAQs Trincomalee is about 100 km from Sigiriya, roughly 2 to 2.5 hours by road via Habarana. Yes. We leave at about 6:00 am, spend the day at Nilaveli beach, Pigeon Island and Koneswaram Temple, and bring you back at about 7:00 pm. Private return transport costs US$110 for 1 to 3 people in a car or US$140 for 4 to 7 people in a van. The Pigeon Island boat and snorkelling gear are US$35 per person, and the park ticket is paid at the beach. Yes, usually from about April to October when the sea is calm. Add the boat and snorkelling gear in the booking box; you can rent a life jacket too. Yes. Nilaveli has soft white sand and calm, shallow water for most of the year, especially from April to October. April to October is best for the beach and snorkelling. From November to March the north-east monsoon can bring rain and rough seas.