Charming Hikkaduwa Beach is among the most beautiful southern beaches in Sri Lanka. This long sandy beach is attracting beach lovers from all around the world. There are several reasons that make Hikkaduwa the favorite beach spot for tourists. The natural splendor, engaging water sports, and vibrant nightlife make Hikkaduwa one of the most popular beaches in Sri Lanka. Moreover, the calm blue waters with light waves in Hikkaduwa make it a wonderful family-friendly destination suitable for both adults and kids.
Hikkaduwa Beach is known for its biological and ecological importance and declared as one of the 3 Marine National Parks in Sri Lanka. This beautiful Coral Garden and underwater marine life are world-famous attractions. Another major pull of Hikkaduwa Beach is the availability of a large number of budget-friendly hostels and guest houses. Thus, Hikkaduwa is one of the hot spots for backpackers and budget travelers.
How to reach Hikkaduwa
Hikkaduwa locates around 100 km from the south of the capital of Colombo. The cheapest way to reach there is using a train from Colombo Fort Train Station. There are a number of trains that run to Galle or Matara which goes via Hikkaduwa. This is the fast and scenic option for traveling where you can reach Hikkaduwa within 1.5 hours.
If you choose to travel by bus, you can board a bus from Colombo Pettah bus station bound for Galle or Matara. The bus route runs through the southern coastal belt and gives you a scenic ride. But it takes almost 3 hours of traveling along the Colombo – Galle main road to reach Hikkaduwa.
If you like to travel more comfortably, you can use a taxi. You can reserve a taxi through the 12GoAsia website or just hire a cab From Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport. The road trip may be expensive, but it makes traveling more enjoyable.
There are an endless number of fun things to do in Hikkaduwa. In this post, we will show you the most enticing things you can do once you visit lovely Hikkaduwa Beach.
1. Coral Garden
With turquoise waters, varieties of beautiful corals, and a wide range of marine life, Hikkaduwa is one of three Marine national parks in Sri Lanka. Declared as a National Park in 2002, Hikkaduwa is Sri Lanka’s first Marine National Park. The park contains a fringing reef system that acts as a habitat for a multitude of marine creatures.
The coral sanctuary along the coast is a large shallow body of water surrounded by a large reef. This area is decorated with layers of multicolored corals and gives home to countless schools of colorful fish. The national park is home to over 60 different species of coral, and 170 species of reef fish and also offers you glimpses of stingrays, 5 species of sea turtles, and a variety of crustaceans.
With warm waters and an abundant supply of nutrients, Hikkaduwa has the most lively and beautiful reef systems in South Asia. The blue waters of the national park have perfect visibility during most parts of the year and it makes the exploration experience so unique and memorable.
2. Glass-bottom Boat Ride
The glass-bottom boat ride is of the most thrilling experiences you will ever have in Hikkaduwa. While some people prefer snorkeling to explore these reefs, many others like to experience the full beauty of the reef without getting wet. The glass bottom boats help you to witness these impressive coral reefs populated with exotic schools of fish.
The glass boat ride through the crystal-clear water of Hikkaduwa gives you a fabulous experience. The boats are specially built with the deck and the bottom is of transparent glass. The rides give tourists the excitement of exploring the sea differently. Thus, the glass bottom boat ride is highly popular among visitors who want to admire the wonders of deep while keeping their feet dry.
3. Snorkeling
Like many other beaches in Sri Lanka, Hikkaduwa is a famous spot for water sports including snorkeling, scuba diving, and diving. Among all these activities, Snorkeling is the most famous activity among the visitors. You can rent snorkeling gear from nearby shops and get up close and personal with the vivid underwater coral formations and the spectacular marine life.
Snorkeling is cheaper and easier than diving or scuba diving. Although you aren’t an expert swimmer, you can explore underwater life with snorkeling gear easily. Thus, it is one of the most popular activities to try out in Hikkaduwa Beach. If you’ve never snorkeled before, you can hire an instructor to show you the ropes.
4. Scuba Diving
A beach vacation in Hikkaduwa is incomplete without an underwater exploration by scuba diving. You can spend the best of your time by taking a dip into the deep blue waters. Step into the warm tropical waters that surround the beaches of Hikkaduwa and witness the underwater vistas. Certainly, you will be astonished by the amazing marine life you’ll discover.
If you want to get the license, there are a number of diving shops offering PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) courses and equipment. The best time to visit the waters is from November to April since during those times the water is clear and calm.
You can rent all the equipment with training from diving shops available along the beach. This wonderful experience will take you to a blissful world that you can cherish forever. Diving in Hikkaduwa allows you to visit more than four different shipwrecks. Also, you can explore exciting night-diving trips which take your vacation to a whole another level.
5. Surfing
Hikkaduwa is among the best surfing spots in Sri Lanka, offering a clear hot water base. The best surfing conditions exist during its dry season, from November to April. The beach welcomes all the people who have a passion for surfing. The crowds in Hikkaduwa often cheer and admire the surfers.
More than any other beach, waves in Hikkaduwa have gained the most fame for creating the perfect surfing paradise on the island. The environment and the ambiance of the beach will give you an adrenaline rush, which makes you enjoy the sport with all the fun.
6. Watching Turtles
This is one of the unique attractions of Hikkaduwa. The shallow waters of the Hikkaduwa coast are perfect for watching turtles. Once you’re in the water, you stand the chance to get the magical view of graceful sea turtles.
Sri Lanka is a blessed island frequented by 5 different species of sea turtles including Green, Olive Ridley, Hawksbill, Loggerhead, and Leatherback turtles. All these species are endangered and are under threat of extinction. Thus, Hikkaduwa is one of the few places on earth where you can get a glimpse of them naturally in the wild.
7. Tsunami Temple
The deadly Tsunami strike in 2004 is the worst catastrophe in Sri Lankan history. The southern coastal part of Sri Lanka was brutally attacked by the sea resulting in massive destruction and many people losing their lives. Currently, there is a memorial temple to remember the victims of this natural disaster. This temple call as Tsunami Honganji Viharaya locates near the Hikkaduwa beach. It was built with the aid of the Japanese government.
There is a large new Buddha statue near this temple. This Buddha statue was opened in December 2006 as a memorial to all Sri Lankans killed by the Tsunami on December 2004. The statue is an exact replica of the 5th Century 175 feet Bamiyan Buddha Statue in Afghanistan. This replica was created using the earliest known sketches of the statue.
8. Seenigama Temple
Seenigama Temple is one of the best places in Hikkaduwa you should never miss out. It is situated just 1.3 km north of Hikkaduwa Beach. This Buddhist Temple is situated in a small islet, on a rocky outcrop just 200 m offshore.
Pilgrims can visit the temple by taking a boat to the island. The temple consists of only two buildings. They are surrounded by a wall to protect them from high waves. The island is an amazing place with absolute natural beauty. You’ll find the view from the island is mesmerizing.
There is a close-by shrine at the beach on the mainland known as Seenigama Sri Devol Maha Devalaya. This shrine is frequented by both Buddhists and Hindus and is dedicated to a local deity named Devol. This shrine is quite famous for its spiritual power. People make offerings and pray to the god at the shrine.
9. Narigama Beach
Narigama Beach is another famous place in Hikkaduwa. This picturesque coastline stretches over 4 km and it is an ideal surfing spot. This peaceful, clean beach with soft sand is far less crowded than the main Hikkaduwa beach. The atmosphere of this serene beach is pretty fascinating. Watching the sunset from the Narigama is a blissful experience.
10. Madu River Safari
When you are in Hikkaduwa, never miss the fantastic Madu River safari. The Madhu River locates around 20 km from Hikkaduwa Beach. The boat safari gives you the unique experience of watching a variety of aquatic flora and fauna including birds and fish. Especially, the safari along the mangrove tunnels is a lovely experience.
11. Shopping
There are so many souvenir shops along the coastline of the Hikkaduwa area. They sell an endless number of souvenirs including traditional masks, jewelry, batik, antiques, and many more. Remember to use your bargaining skills to buy them for a cheaper price.
12. Seafood Delicacies
There are plenty of seafood restaurants in Hikkaduwa, where you can taste yummy seafood dishes. Definitely, these beach restaurants will give you a real Sri Lankan food experience with nothing else to equate. They are designed for happy gatherings with a lovely atmosphere.
Particularly, the Refresh restaurant is quite famous among tourists. There are specialized chefs to cook seafood, Living lobsters, Crabs, and Jumbo prawns. They also make delicious international dishes including sashimi with fresh fish or any other European dishes.
13. Enjoy the Nightlife
Hikkaduwa has quite active and fabulous nightlife. The place attracts a lot of travelers, who like to enjoy beach parties. Everyone agrees with the fact that Hikkaduwa is more attractive during the nighttime. The beach has the best restaurants known for their service and hospitality for night parties. Definitely, Hikkaduwa is the best place for brilliant night parties and offers the best Sri Lankan culinary marvels.
14. Ayurveda Spa Treatments
You can find top-class Ayurveda spa centers offering Ayurvedic treatments and massages in the Hikkaduwa area. You can give yourself the luxury of a relaxing massage that rejuvenates your body during a pampering beach holiday. The spas in Hikkaduwa have experts in this field, and the service they provide will make you comfortable and satisfied.
15. Capture the Sunset
Do not leave Hikkaduwa without catching the epic view of the sunset. The fiery colors of the sky during the sunset are a completely worthy sight to witness. This photo is by far one of the best pictures of sunset observed on Hikkaduwa Beach.
To sum up, Hikkaduwa is one of the most popular beach destinations to visit in Sri Lanka. Travelers flock to it from all over the world to enjoy its natural splendor and premium facilities. Certainly, the vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life gives you the best scenery in the whole of Sri Lanka. Welcome guys, visit gorgeous Hikkaduwa Beach and have a wonderful holiday!
Text by Magnificent Sri Lanka. Images from Wikimedia Commons, Pixabay, Facebook, and Twitter. All the copyrights are reserved by the original authors.
