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. Photographers get the opportunity to capture photographs of nudibranchs, crabs, electric rays, sea moths and the like here as well.