Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka: travel guide
Surf town with a coral sanctuary, beach bars and an easygoing travellers' scene
A long-running south-coast surf and beach town with a shallow coral sanctuary for snorkelling, laid-back beach bars and a lively backpacker scene.
About Hikkaduwa
Hikkaduwa is a long-standing beach town on the south-west coast, popular with surfers and backpackers for decades. A single main road runs along the shore, lined with guesthouses, cafes and beach bars.
The Hikkaduwa Coral Sanctuary, a shallow reef just offshore, is a good place to snorkel, and turtles are often seen. Narigama Beach is the main surf area, while the Tsunami Photo Museum is a sober record of 2004 and the Seenigama temple sits on a small island. Seafood is a staple.
It suits surfers, snorkellers and travellers on a flexible budget. The drier season, roughly November to April, offers the best conditions.
- Country
- Sri Lanka
- Currency
- LKR
- Time zone
- Asia/Colombo
- Typical trip
- 2-3 days
Last updated
Top places to visit in Hikkaduwa
Seenigama Muhudu Viharaya
Temple · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A small island temple just offshore near Hikkaduwa, reachable by a short boat ride, associated with the Sri Lanka Sumithrayo tsunami memorial.
Hikkaduwa Beach
Beach · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The town's central beach strip, backed by surf schools, dive shops and beach bars.
Tsunami Photo Museum, Hikkaduwa
Museum · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A small private museum documenting the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami's impact on Hikkaduwa, run by a survivor.
Narigama Beach
Beach · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Quieter beach south of the main strip with a well-regarded reef break for intermediate surfers.
Hikkaduwa Coral Sanctuary (National Park)
Wildlife · 3.8 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Shallow protected coral reef right off the main beach, home to parrotfish, moray eels and green sea turtles, snorkelled by glass-bottom boat or on foot from shore.
Things to do
- Hikkaduwa Coral Sanctuary Glass-Bottom Boat Tour Wildlife · 1 h · from LKR 3,000 per person
- Hikkaduwa Beginner Surf Lesson Activity · 2 h · from LKR 5,000 per person
Day trips and tours
- Hikkaduwa Coral Sanctuary & Surf Day 6 h · from LKR 9,000
Where to stay in Hikkaduwa
- Hikkaduwa Beach Road
The main strip facing the coral sanctuary, restaurants, dive shops and nightlife.
- Narigama
Quieter surf beach just south, popular with longer-stay backpackers.
Hotels
- Coral Gardens Hotel
- Coral Sands Hotel
- Mermaid Hotel & Club
Where to eat
- Natura italian · about LKR 2,375 per person
- Amaroo sri_lankan, international · about LKR 2,375 per person
- SaltyBeer international, sri_lankan · about LKR 760 per person
Getting to Hikkaduwa
Nearest airport: Colombo (CMB), about 118 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
How visitors arrive in Hikkaduwa
- Coast-line train from Colombo Fort toward Galle By train from Colombo · common
Hikkaduwa is a named stop on the Colombo Fort to Galle coastal train. Source: roughguides.com
- Bus or Southern Expressway via Galle By road from Colombo · possible · unconfirmed
Buses and cars run down the coast from Colombo; the expressway reaches Galle area. Source: roughguides.com
From the railway station to the centre
- Tuk-tuk from Hikkaduwa station unconfirmed
Three-wheelers are unmetered; agree the fare before setting off. Source: roughguides.com
Getting around
- Scooter Rental
- Tuktuk
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Unofficial "reef guide" touts
Self-styled guides on Hikkaduwa beach offer unsolicited snorkelling/boat trips at inflated prices, sometimes pressuring tourists on the sand.
How to avoid it: Book glass-bottom boat or snorkelling trips through your hotel or a listed operator rather than beach touts.
Best time to visit Hikkaduwa
- Jan 28°C
- Feb 29°C
- Mar 29°C
- Apr 29°C
- May rough · Hikkaduwa: SW monsoon, Yala. Reef snorkelling and surf both unsafe.
- Jun rough · Hikkaduwa: SW monsoon, Yala. Reef snorkelling and surf both unsafe.
- Jul rough · Hikkaduwa: SW monsoon, Yala. Reef snorkelling and surf both unsafe.
- Aug rough · Hikkaduwa: SW monsoon, Yala. Reef snorkelling and surf both unsafe.
- Sep rough · Hikkaduwa: SW monsoon, Yala. Reef snorkelling and surf both unsafe.
- Oct 28°C
- Nov 28°C
- Dec 28°C
More in Sri Lanka
Frequently asked questions about Hikkaduwa
- How many days do you need in Hikkaduwa?
- A typical trip to Hikkaduwa is 2-3 days.
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Hikkaduwa?
- The highest-rated places in our Hikkaduwa guide are Tsunami Photo Museum, Hikkaduwa, Narigama Beach, Seenigama Muhudu Viharaya, Hikkaduwa Beach, Hikkaduwa Coral Sanctuary (National Park).
- Where should I stay in Hikkaduwa?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Hikkaduwa: Hikkaduwa Beach Road, Narigama.
- How do I get around Hikkaduwa?
- Ways to get around Hikkaduwa covered in our guide: Scooter rental, Tuk-tuk, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Hikkaduwa?
- Scams reported to us for Hikkaduwa include Unofficial "reef guide" touts. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Hikkaduwa?
- Average daytime highs in Hikkaduwa run from 28°C in Oct to 29°C in Mar.