Fees · Destination Guide
Coral and rock dives, Pigeon Island snorkeling and a historic Indian Ocean harbour.
Key fee: Sri Lanka tourist Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)
Free for listed eligible nationalities for 30 days under the 25 May 2026 scheme; other nationality fees vary
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
No separate universal Trincomalee or Nilaveli visitor tourism levy was established. Sri Lanka ETA rules apply to arriving foreigners, and Pigeon Island National Park admission is separate from private boat transport unless the seller explicitly bundles it. A published 2026 Divinguru offer excludes park admission, while Pigeon Island Tours states it includes it. The official DWC 2026 Pigeon Island tariff, current ticket issuing location, closures and any daily cap were not independently confirmed. Do not substitute old tourist-board fees or operator estimates as official prices. No general recreational dive permit can be asserted for all local sites; restricted, protected and Navy-managed areas require site-specific authority clearance.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka tourist Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) | Free for listed eligible nationalities for 30 days under the 25 May 2026 scheme; other nationality fees vary Nationality- and visa-type-specific; check before departure | Foreign tourist arrivals as required by immigration rules | Official eta.gov.lk portal | The immigration authority lists 40 qualifying countries for a fee waiver, but travelers must still obtain authorization in advance. Do not infer eligibility from a residence permit. |
| Pigeon Island National Park admission | Current official tariff unverified; separate park ticket unless included in the chosen operator package Admission for the permitted visit/date; subject to park closure and quotas | Visitors entering the protected marine national park | Department of Wildlife Conservation or the authorized operator handling park entry, verified locally | Divinguru quotes an approximate operator-collected fee and excludes it from snorkeling fare; another operator bundles it. A historic Sri Lanka Tourism entry table is not accepted as a 2026 regulator tariff. Ask for the DWC ticket receipt and current permitted zones. |
| Pigeon Island return day boat and snorkel equipment | Operator quote, not a government charge; a local 2026 all-in shared adult example is EUR 48-50 Specific scheduled boat/tour only | Visitors choosing a boat excursion | Directly from a boat/snorkeling provider in Nilaveli | Pigeon Island Tours advertises 2026 foreign visitor rates including park admission and gear. Other operators price transfers and tickets separately. Verify cancellation, guide, children and tax inclusions. |
| Local recreational scuba or PADI course | Provider quote; no uniform destination-wide dive fee Booked course or guided outing | Scuba participants | Registered and appropriately certified local operator | Divinguru publishes per-dive and course pricing in EUR, with varying rental and materials inclusions. Fees and current dates may change. A listing is not confirmation of permissions for a particular site. |
| Restricted marine, Navy or heritage access | No single published universal recreational fee verified; permits/access conditions vary Exact authorized area and date | Trincomalee underwater museum, Navy-controlled waters, marine protected zones and restricted shore areas as relevant | Ask the relevant authority through the responsible licensed operator | The SLTDA guideline requires checking restricted dive areas and prior approval for protected areas. The underwater museum is Navy-documented, but neither a hotel booking nor a general dive certificate substitutes for site authorization. |
Fee
Nationality- and visa-type-specific; check before departure
The immigration authority lists 40 qualifying countries for a fee waiver, but travelers must still obtain authorization in advance. Do not infer eligibility from a residence permit.
Admission for the permitted visit/date; subject to park closure and quotas
Divinguru quotes an approximate operator-collected fee and excludes it from snorkeling fare; another operator bundles it. A historic Sri Lanka Tourism entry table is not accepted as a 2026 regulator tariff. Ask for the DWC ticket receipt and current permitted zones.
Specific scheduled boat/tour only
Pigeon Island Tours advertises 2026 foreign visitor rates including park admission and gear. Other operators price transfers and tickets separately. Verify cancellation, guide, children and tax inclusions.
Booked course or guided outing
Divinguru publishes per-dive and course pricing in EUR, with varying rental and materials inclusions. Fees and current dates may change. A listing is not confirmation of permissions for a particular site.
Exact authorized area and date
The SLTDA guideline requires checking restricted dive areas and prior approval for protected areas. The underwater museum is Navy-documented, but neither a hotel booking nor a general dive certificate substitutes for site authorization.