Information
City: HikkaduwaCountry: Sri Lanka
Continent: Asia
Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka, Asia
Overview
Hikkaduwa, perched on Sri Lanka’s sunny southern coast, is a famed getaway where golden sand meets vibrant coral reefs.Hikkaduwa, with its golden sand warm underfoot, shimmering coral reefs, and buzzing streets, draws surfers, snorkelers, and anyone chasing a lively seaside escape.With its stunning scenery, clear blue waters perfect for kayaking, and an easygoing pace, it’s a place loved by both locals and visitors from around the world.Hikkaduwa sits about 98 km south of Colombo on the Galle Road (A2), where warm tropical air wraps around you and the sea smells faintly of salt; temperatures hover between 25°C and 32°C (77°F to 90°F), with heavy southwest monsoon rains from May to September, then sunny, calm seas from November to April-the best months for crystal-clear beach days; once a quiet fishing village, it rose to fame in the 1960s and ’70s as tourism boomed, drawing backpackers to its golden sands and lively nights, and in 1979 its rich coral reefs were declared a Marine National Park to safeguard their vivid marine life.Hikkaduwa offers a string of unforgettable spots - start with Hikkaduwa Beach, a long ribbon of golden sand where you can stretch out under the sun, swim in turquoise water, or sip iced tea in a beachside café as the sky turns amber at sunset; explore the vivid Hikkaduwa Coral Reef within the Marine National Park, teeming with bright fish and slow-gliding turtles, best seen while snorkeling, diving, or peering through a glass-bottom boat; visit the park itself, a small but thriving reef system sheltering over 60 coral species and 170 kinds of reef fish, perfect for eco-tours; stop by the local turtle hatcheries to see tiny hatchlings paddling in shallow tanks before their ocean release; head south to Narigama Beach for gentler crowds, steady surf, and a row of laid-back cafés and guesthouses; take a short boat ride to the Seenigama Vihara temple on its tucked-away island, wrapped in sea breezes and old legends; stand before the 18-meter Tsunami Honganji Vihara Buddha, a solemn memorial to the lives lost in 2004; step inside the Telwatta Tsunami Museum, where photographs and worn artifacts tell survivors’ stories; and finish with a trip to the Moonstone Mines near Meetiyagoda, watching miners unearth pale, shimmering stones before browsing for a piece of jewelry to take home.Tucked just beyond Hikkaduwa’s busier shores, Jungle Beach offers a quiet hideaway where you can float in clear water and watch parrotfish dart between bits of coral; spend the day snorkeling in Hikkaduwa Marine National Park, surfing the steady breaks at Narigama Beach, spotting turtles on the sand or at a conservation hatchery, gliding through mangrove-lined lagoons by boat, browsing for batik and gemstones in local shops, or dancing to live music with a cocktail in hand at night, all easily reached by scenic coastal train, expressway, or bus, with tuk-tuks, bikes, and scooters to get you around, plus a rich food scene of fresh crab and curry, street samosas and king coconut, and stays ranging from luxury resorts to budget hostels, set against a backdrop of vibrant festivals, nearby treasures like Galle Fort and Unawatuna, and a community balancing a love for nature with the challenges of coral bleaching and rapid growth-making Hikkaduwa a place where adventure, culture, and calm meet.You might spend the morning drifting over coral reefs, stretch out on warm golden sand in the afternoon, then wander into the lively streets at dusk-Hikkaduwa makes every moment by the coast unforgettable.
Landmarks in hikkaduwa
