Hikkaduwa is a beach town on Sri Lanka's southwest coast, about 17 km north-west of Galle and roughly 98 km south of Colombo, strung along about 6.5 km of shoreline on the old Galle Road. It began as a picnic spot for people from Galle in the 19th century, drew hippies in the 1960s who nicknamed it Hippiduwa, and later became known for surf, snorkelling and beach nightlife. The 2004 tsunami hit this coast hard, and the memorials at Peraliya are part of any honest picture of the town.
Its best-known feature is the Hikkaduwa National Park, a small protected coral reef, Sri Lanka's first marine sanctuary, that you can see by snorkelling or from a boat. Turtle Beach, a hatchery, the surf at Narigama, west-facing sunsets and a row of cafes along the sand complete the picture. It is informal and a little unpolished rather than polished resort.
For Indian families, the honest summary is that Hikkaduwa suits a relaxed beach stay of two or three nights between December and March, or a day trip from Galle. It is busy on the main road, the sea can be rough outside the dry season, and the food is mainly Sri Lankan and Western with few verified vegetarian-only places. Older travellers should choose a room away from the nightlife strip and plan walks for mornings and evenings.
Before you plan
Hikkaduwa at a glance
- Best months
- December to March is the driest and…December to March is the driest and calmest window; surfers come from about October or November to March or April. May and October are the wettest months on the nearby Galle climate table.
- Ideal trip length
- 2 to 3 nights for beach2 to 3 nights for beach, reef and the Peraliya memorials, or a long day trip from Galle
- Airport
- Bandaranaike International AirportBandaranaike International Airport (CMB) at Katunayake, north of Colombo; roughly 2.5 to 3.5 hours by road to Hikkaduwa depending on route and traffic. Check airlines for current India routes.
- Railway station
- Hikkaduwa station on the Coastal…Hikkaduwa station on the Coastal Line between Colombo and Matara, beside Galle Road; slow coastal trains stop here, so check current timetables with Sri Lanka Railways
- Getting around
- Walk the flat beach roadWalk the flat beach road, use tuk-tuks for short trips and hire a car with driver for Galle, Peraliya and Seenigama
- Daily budget
- A mid-range beach town by Indian…A mid-range beach town by Indian standards; cafes and guesthouses on the beach cost more than inland eateries. Check current rates before you book.
- Senior comfort
- Fair with planning: the beach road…Fair with planning: the beach road is flat, but heat, uneven sand, rough sea outside the season and noise from the nightlife strip need thought
- Language
- Sinhala and Tamil are the national…Sinhala and Tamil are the national languages; English is widely understood in hotels, cafes and dive and surf shops
Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.
Best time to visit Hikkaduwa: January, February, March. Month-by-month weather →
How many days do you have?
Hikkaduwa itinerary
One good day
1 day in Hikkaduwa
Start with a calm morning snorkel or glass-bottom boat at Hikkaduwa National Park, never touching the coral. Walk to Turtle Beach and see the hatchery with a hat and water. Have lunch at a beach cafe and rest through the heat. In the late afternoon, drive north to the Big Buddha and the Tsunami Photo Museum at Peraliya if you want context, then return for sunset on the beach.
Day-by-day plan →Two days
2 days in Hikkaduwa
Snorkel or take a boat over the coral in the morning, then visit Turtle Beach and the hatchery. Rest at midday. Walk the beach road at sunset and choose a seafront cafe for dinner away from the loudest clubs.
Day-by-day plan →Three unhurried days
3 days in Hikkaduwa
Morning snorkel at the national park, a rest, then watch the surfers at Narigama in the afternoon or take a beginner lesson. Finish with a sunset dinner on the sand.
Day-by-day plan →
