Beach
Hikkaduwa reef and turtle snorkelling
Snorkel the shallow marine sanctuary straight off the main beach, where green turtles feed in the seagrass a few metres from the sand and glass-bottom boats run out to the coral heads.
Good value
South Coast
Hikkaduwa
Coral, turtles and the island's oldest surf town
- South Coast
- Best Dec–Mar
- 2nights suggested
Hikkaduwa was Sri Lanka's first backpacker beach and still has the most relaxed, least polished feel of the south-west resorts. A shallow marine sanctuary sits directly off the main beach, green turtles feed in the surf line most mornings, and the reef break in front of town is forgiving.
The coral sanctuary can be snorkelled straight from the beach. It has suffered from bleaching and from decades of boat traffic, so expect a modest reef rather than a spectacular one — and use reef-safe sunscreen, or none at all.
Green turtles come in to feed on seagrass close to shore, particularly in the morning. Watch them in the water rather than handling them, and give the commercial 'turtle hatcheries' along this coast a sceptical look: standards vary widely and several keep animals in conditions that do them no good.
The surf is a mixed beach and reef setup that suits improvers, with a handful of gentler spots for beginners. Season runs with the rest of the south-west coast, November to April.
Hikkaduwa is the closest good beach to Colombo — about 85 minutes on the expressway — which makes it a practical first or last stop on a short trip.
Highlights
- Snorkelling the coral sanctuary from the beach
- Green turtles feeding in the shallows at dawn
- A forgiving reef break for improving surfers
- Seenigama temple on its island offshore
- The shortest run to a beach from Colombo
- South Coast
- Dec–Mar
- 2 nights
Snorkelling and surf are at their best November to April. The sea is rough and murky during the south-west monsoon.
Where it is
Hikkaduwa is in South Coast.
Experiences here
- Wellness
Ayurveda treatment day
A consultation with an Ayurvedic doctor followed by a prescribed sequence of oil treatments — abhyanga, shirodhara and a herbal steam — at an established west-coast retreat.
Mid-range
Put Hikkaduwa on your trip
Build a full itinerary around it, or send us an enquiry directly. Either way, nothing is booked or charged until you accept a quotation.