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Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa is a seaside resort town in southwestern Sri Lanka. It’s known for its strong surf and beaches, including palm-dotted Hikkaduwa Beach, lined with restaurants and bars. 

About Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa is one of the more popular tropical beach destinations in Sri Lanka located on the southwestern coast, approximately 18 km north of Galle and approximately 136 km from Colombo (2 hours by car). It is known for its beautiful sandy beaches, vibrant marine life and especially enjoyed by the young, hip and trendy crowd for its lively atmosphere. 

It is also considered one of the better beaches for surfing, coming in a close second to Arugam Bay. Hikkaduwa is also one of the best locations for deep sea diving and scuba diving with several unique dive sites consisting of shipwrecks and also an abundance of marine life and a thriving coral sanctuary.

Overall, Hikkaduwa is a fantastic destination for beach lovers, water sports enthusiasts, and those seeking zappy night life in Sri Lanka with lively beach parties.

Things to do

1. Beach Activities

Renowned for its golden sands and clear blue waters it is an excellent spot for swimming, leisurely strolling along the beach, having a romantic candle lit dinner on the beach or simply soaking in the sun which is one of the simplest pleasures of visiting Hikkaduwa. Pack a beach towel, a good book, and some sunscreen, and simply unwind on a deck chair on the shore and listen to the rustle of the waves.

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2. Snorkeling

For visitors who wish to rejuvenate their senses need to undertake one of the most enjoyable and stress-free activities of snorkeling. Hikkaduwa offers some of the best locations for snorkeling where you can view the breathtaking coral sanctuary with almost 70 varieties of colorful coral, reefs teeming with tropical fish, sea turtles, and other marine life. The crystal-clear waters which are merely 3 – 4 meters deep, make it ideal for exploring the underwater beauty. Simply remember to bring your snorkeling gear or you can rent it from one of the many local shops.

3. Surfing

With idyllic climate conditions and wave formations, Hikkaduwa is ideal for both beginners and experienced surfers. The ideal period for surfing is November to April when the waves are more consistent. With an average-sized point, reef and surf break the tropical waters of Hikkaduwa are ideal for those who wish to learn surfing and for those in need of improving their surfing skills.

The beaches in Hikkaduwa have many surf shops with English speaking instructors where you can sign up for lessons. You can also rent a surfboard from one of the surf schools which have adequate equipment.  With proper guidance from the resourceful and experienced instructors you can learn the art of this amazing sport in no time and take back wonderful memories of your new accomplishment.

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4. Diving

Diving in Hikkaduwa is an incredible experience! The clear, warm waters make it an ideal destination for both beginners and experienced divers.

When diving in Hikkaduwa, you can expect to encounter a wide variety of marine species, including colorful reef fish, turtles, moray eels, and even larger creatures such as reef sharks which make you believe that you are in a different world. There are several dive sites around Hikkaduwa, each offering unique underwater landscapes and ecosystems to explore.

Some popular dive sites in Hikkaduwa include:

  1. Coral Gardens: As the name suggests, this site is known for its stunning coral formations teeming with marine life such as small reef fish and turtles. The location is ideal for beginners and is 3 – 10 m dive. and easily accessible as it is located in front of Chaya Tranz Hotel.
  2. Black Coral Point: This is a site which involves a deep dive of around 30 m and is recommended for professional divers. It is known for its dramatic underwater landscape featuring rocky outcrops and beautiful black coral formations, as well as reef sharks, rays, and other pelagic species.
  3. Kiralagala Reef: This shallow reef is perfect for beginners, offering gentle currents and an abundance of marine species.
  4. Earl of Sahftesbury. This is one of the oldest wrecks dating back to the 1890’s and lies at a depth of 12 – 14m. This four-mast, timber sailing ship, carrying cargo from Bombay to Diamond Island sank due to a fire on board. The wreckage is located in close proximity to the SS Conch. Divers can witness the spectacular sight of some special native sweetlips and stingrays, groups of silver batfish and schools of fosters barracuda.
  5. The S S Conch Shipwreck: This is the best known and easiest wreck to reach which includes a 45-minute boat ride to the site and remains at a depth of 20 m. The story behind the sinking of the shipwreck reads that on 3 June 1903, this cargo vessel while en-route to Madras (Chennai) from Novorossisk, a port in the Black Sea, Southern Russia, hit the Akurala rock off the coast of Hikkaduwa and sank fast. The remains of a sunken cargo ship has become an artificial reef attracting a variety of marine life.
  6. SS Norsa This is another popular diving site off Hikkaduwa which needs to be reached via a boat which will take approximately 35 minutes. The seam ship SS Norsa was on a voyage from Middlesbrough to Madras carrying railway material when it was wrecked. The ship which sank in 1889 lies at a depth of 15m on a rocky part of the seabed with unique coral formations surrounding it. 

Whether you’re a certified diver or looking to try diving for the first time, or upgrade your PADI certification, there are many diving centers with qualified diving instructors, offering PADI courses and diving equipment. Delmege Tours will assist you to  make sure you select  a reputable dive center with experienced instructors to ensure a safe and enjoyable diving experience.

5. Nightlife and Dining

The town has a lively and vibrant party atmosphere with most of the beach bars, clubs, and restaurants organizing beach parties offering, music a variety of cuisines, including delicious Sri Lankan seafood dishes.

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6. Glass Bottom Boat Ride

 

For those who do not want to get their feet wet or are not swimmers, but want to witness the amazing world of corals a tour on the glass bottom boat is the ultimate experience.

As you cruise on the glass-bottomed boat, you can witness the breathtaking world below which offers a myriad of colorful reefs, schools of fish, sea urchins, and even turtles.

Those who wish to snorkel can also do so as the instructors can provide equipment and hands-on snorkeling instruction, Even beginners can learn snorkeling techniques and explore the underwater world.

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