Hikkaduwa City of Sri Lanka

Hikkaduwa is a bustling resort town located on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, known for its vibrant atmosphere and excellent marine life.

Here are the key highlights:

Coral Reef Sanctuary: It is most famous for the Hikkaduwa National Park, Sri Lanka's first marine sanctuary, featuring beautiful coral gardens teeming with colorful fish. Visitors can explore the reef via snorkeling, diving, or glass bottom boats.

Beaches and Surfing: The town boasts long, sandy beaches, especially Narigama Beach, which is renowned as one of the best spots on the south coast for surfing (best season is typically November to April).

Sea Turtles: It is a popular spot for seeing sea turtles up close, often swimming near the shore or at designated turtle feeding points.

Cultural/Historical Sites: The area also features sites like the Tsunami Honganji Viharaya (Big Buddha Statue) and the Tsunami Photo Museum, commemorating the 2004 Indian Ocean disaster.

Places in Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa National Park

This is the town's most unique feature. It is a shallow marine park with a vibrant coral reef.

Snorkeling and Diving

You can rent gear to snorkel directly off the beach to see the corals and diverse fish life. There are also several dive sites, including shipwrecks, for more advanced enthusiasts.

Glass Bottom Boat Tours

For those who prefer to stay dry, glass-bottom boats offer a fantastic view of the coral gardens without getting into the water.

Sea Turtle Hatcheries

Several hatcheries in the area rescue and protect sea turtle eggs, care for hatchlings, and rehabilitate injured adult turtles before releasing them back into the ocean.

Hikkaduwa Beach

The central stretch of beach is lined with hotels, restaurants, and bars, and is excellent for swimming and enjoying the nightlife.

Narigama Beach

This long stretch of sand is the primary spot for surfing. It offers consistent waves suitable for both beginner and intermediate surfers, with many surf schools and board rental shops available.

Madu River Safari

A short drive north will take you to the Madu River, where you can take a boat safari through the tranquil mangroves and past numerous small islands, observing the local wildlife and traditional village life.

Seenigama Vihara

A strikingly situated Buddhist temple on a small island just offshore. It can be reached by a short boat ride from the mainland and is an important local religious site.