Places to Visit In Hikkaduwa

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  • Beach (4)
  • Boating & Cruises (2)
  • National Park (1)
  • Buddhist Temple (1)

1. Hikkaduwa Beach

Hikkaduwa Beach
Top Attraction 4.5 /5

0 km
from city center
1 out of 17
Things To Do in Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa Beach, located on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, is one of the country's most popular beaches, known for its vibrant atmosphere, clear turquoise waters, and excellent opportunities for water sports. The seas of Hikkaduwa host ocean life at its absolute best – varied species of fishes, colourful corals, warm – shelled turtles and much more.

2. Spot Turtles at Turtle Beach

Spot Turtles at Turtle Beach
Top Things To Do 4.3 /5

2 km
from city center
2 out of 17
Things To Do in Hikkaduwa

Situated on one of the best surfing cities in Sri Lanka, Turtle Beach in Hikkaduwa is a popular turtle-spotting attraction. Although the beach is famous for spending time with the turtles, Turtle Beach also boasts diving, snorkelling, and surfing activities. This location is perfect for closely witnessing marine life. Visitors can also spot turtles offshore when they come out to lay eggs.

3. Chill at Narigama Beach

Chill at Narigama Beach
Top Attraction 4.6 /5

2 km
from city center
3 out of 17
Things To Do in Hikkaduwa

Discovered in the early 1960’s Hikkaduwa saw tourists from across the globe flooding the city. Narigama is one such famous beach on the coast of Hikkaduwa. There are hammocks, live seafood counters, drinks to keep you cosy under the sun and warm locals to guide you through in Narigama. The gentle waves make it suitable for swimming, and the area is popular for surfing, with surf schools offering lessons and equipment rentals for beginners.

4. Snorkelling at Hikkaduwa

Snorkelling at Hikkaduwa
Top Things To Do 4.5 /5

4 out of 17
Things To Do in Hikkaduwa

The clear water, shipwrecks underwater, and rich coral life make Hikkaduwa an excellent location for snorkelling. Shallow beaches mean Hikkaduwa is ideal for beginners, and dive shops here offer PADI courses for novices. Divers can snorkel only 200 metres offshore of Hikkaduwa and spot reef sharks in the deeper coral patches. You can capture photographs of nudibranchs, crabs, electric rays, sea moths and the like here as well.

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5. Sea Turtle Hatchery & Rescue Center

Sea Turtle Hatchery & Rescue Center
Great For Family Outing 4.0 /5

3 km
from city center
5 out of 17
Things To Do in Hikkaduwa

The Sea Turtle Hatchery & Rescue Center is dedicated to the conservation and protection of endangered sea turtles. This center plays a vital role in rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing turtles back into the wild. Visitors to the hatchery can learn about the different species of sea turtles found in Sri Lanka, including the Olive Ridley, Green, Hawksbill, and Leatherback turtles.

6. Hikkaduwa Coral Reef

Hikkaduwa Coral Reef
Great For Family Outing 4.2 /5

8 km
from city center
6 out of 17
Things To Do in Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa National park or Hikkaduwa Coral Reef located in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, is a marine national park, with a delightful variety of marine creatures. This zone is a low fringing coral reef, with a depth of 16 feet and length of 4 km. The site was established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1979 and later upgraded to a nature reserve in the year 1988. In September 2012, it was listed as a national park.

7. Glass Bottom Boat Ride

Glass Bottom Boat Ride
Fun For Kids 4.3 /5

7 out of 17
Things To Do in Hikkaduwa

For people who do not want to get into the water, glass bottom boat rides are a great way of exploring the coral reefs at Hikkaduwa. While out on the water, tourists have the chance to spot sea turtles, and the glass bottom makes it possible to explore the 70 varieties of reefs, tropical fish, and marine life through the floor of the boat.

8. Hikkaduwa Lake

Hikkaduwa Lake
4.6 /5

0 km
from city center
8 out of 17
Things To Do in Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa lake is an idyllic excursion spot in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. This lake is a crystal clear, natural lake, situated at a distance of 2 km from Baddegama road. The lake is rich in fauna. It is known to house a range of species of monitor lizards, colourful birds, fish, crocodiles and turtles. A natural biodiversity hotspot, Hikkaduwa lake gives utmost solace to those seeking leisure and rejuvenation.

9. Stay at a Beach House

Stay at a Beach House
4.9 /5

9 out of 17
Things To Do in Hikkaduwa

Staying at a beach house in Hikkaduwa offers a unique and serene experience. These beach houses, often located just steps away from the beach, provide a peaceful retreat with direct access to the golden sands, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant coral reefs. Guests can enjoy a more private and intimate atmosphere, often with spacious rooms, outdoor spaces, and breathtaking ocean views.

10. Tsunami Museum

Tsunami Museum
4.4 /5

1 km
from city center
10 out of 17
Things To Do in Hikkaduwa

The Tsunami Museum at Hikkaduwa is a reminder of the tsunami that hit Sri Lanka on Boxing Day in 2004. The museum recounts how the tsunami affected local communities and also narrates their resilience and return to normalcy following the disaster. There are models of how the wave came into being and photographs of the aftermath. With personal accounts put up on the walls, visitors to this museum are in for a moving experience.

11. Akurala Beach

Akurala Beach
4.6 /5

8 km
from city center
11 out of 17
Things To Do in Hikkaduwa

Akurala Beach offers a serene and perfect beach experience with its golden sands, clear waters, and beautiful reefs. The slow-moving seas and shallow waters make it ideal for swimming. Local fishermen sell freshly cooked fish marinated in flavorful masalas and the famous dried fish, adding to the local culinary experience. Popular activities include water adventures, nature walks, turtle hatching watching, and beginner diving, making it a unique and tranquil destination.

12. Madu River Safari

Madu River Safari
Top Things To Do 4.5 /5

17 km
from city center
12 out of 17
Things To Do in Hikkaduwa

The area surrounding the Madu river is covered by a mangrove forest that spans over 60 hectares and houses 14 species of mangroves. The over two-hour-long boat safari takes visitors through the woods. Passengers on these safaris can get to spot some of the over 300 species of life in the forest. The mangroves around the river are home to over 111 species of birds, 31 species of reptiles, and over 50 species of butterflies.

13. Wellness Spas in Hikkaduwa

Wellness Spas in Hikkaduwa
Great For Couples 4.3 /5

13 out of 17
Things To Do in Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa offers a variety of Ayurvedic spas that use traditional Ayurvedic practices, offering treatments that include herbal massages, steam baths, body scrubs, and aromatherapy. The therapies are designed to balance the body, mind, and spirit, using natural ingredients such as oils, herbs, and roots that have been used in Sri Lankan wellness practices for centuries.

14. Surfing at Hikkaduwa

Surfing at Hikkaduwa
4.6 /5

0 km
from city center
14 out of 17
Things To Do in Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa offers surf spots for different levels of surfers within walking distance of each other. Nagarima Beach towards the south, with its shallow, sand-bottomed waves, is great for beginners, while the jetty to the north offers a greater challenge. The waters at Hikkaduwa have breaks of various sizes, getting bigger towards the north. November to April is the surfing season here, and the beach is lined with surf shops during the season.

15. Sri Pushparama Temple

Sri Pushparama Temple
4.7 /5

19 km
from city center
15 out of 17
Things To Do in Hikkaduwa

With architectural features similar to a church, the Buddhist temple of Sri Pushparama is popular among devotees and is recognised as an archaeological site. The front facade of this temple and its doors and windows are similar to colonial churches. Inside the temple are two wooden staircases that lead up to a balcony running around the inner hall. Visitors can also check out the giant statue of the reclining Buddha in the temple compound.

16. Nightlife in Hikkaduwa

Nightlife in Hikkaduwa
Great For Couples 4.3 /5

0 km
from city center
16 out of 17
Things To Do in Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa has a vibrant nightlife, with bars on the beach. Funky de Bar hosts beach parties on Thursday nights, while the Surf Control Rooftop Lounge offers a quieter experience. Hikkaduwa is home to sports bars, and locations like Mambo’s Bar hosts extravagant parties as well. The town draws energetic and enthusiastic party-goers, and tourists can have some of the best nights of their lives here.

17. Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery

Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery
4.4 /5

26 km
from city center
17 out of 17
Things To Do in Hikkaduwa

Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project is on the west coast, and this project aims to protect and rescue sea turtles as well as make sure that the eggs hatch safely without any interference from predators. One can visit the Turtle hatchery to participate in this project as well as closely look into the process of rescuing and nurturing sea turtles.

FAQs on Hikkaduwa

What are the top sightseeing places in Hikkaduwa?

The top sightseeing places in Hikkaduwa are Hikkaduwa National Park, Hikkaduwa Lake, Akurala Beach, Hikkaduwa Beach, Narigama Beach, Pitiwella Beach.
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