How do you get around Hikkaduwa?

Tuk-tuks and the coast train, which stops at Hikkaduwa station.

What are the main things to see in Hikkaduwa?

Hikkaduwa coral reef and turtles, Hikkaduwa and Narigama beaches, Tsunami Honganji Viharaya, Peraliya.

South coast

Hikkaduwa

A lively beach town with a shallow coral reef, turtles in the surf, reef breaks for surfers and a long strip of cafes, an easy drive from Colombo.

Plan a trip with Hikkaduwa

Time to spend: 2 nights
Best months: November to April. May to October brings rough seas and rain.
Getting around: Tuk-tuks and the coast train, which stops at Hikkaduwa station.
Good to know: Do not touch or feed the turtles. The reef is shallow, so swim and snorkel only in the sheltered lagoon when lifeguards say it is safe.

Hikkaduwa was one of the first beach resorts on the island and still has the busiest nightlife on the south-west coast. The beach runs for several kilometres south through Wewala and Narigama.

Part of the shoreline is protected as Hikkaduwa National Park, a shallow reef where you can snorkel among fish and often see green turtles feeding close to the beach. Glass-bottomed boats run when the sea is calm.

The 2004 tsunami hit this stretch very hard. A small community-run museum and the large standing Buddha at Peraliya remember it.

What to see and do

Hikkaduwa coral reef and turtles
Directions Open in Maps
Snorkel in the shallow, reef-protected lagoon of Hikkaduwa National Park, where green turtles often feed close to shore.
2 hr 30 min · MorningLKR 1,000 to LKR 3,000estimateDetails
Snorkel hire or a glass-bottomed boat; the beach is free.
Hikkaduwa and Narigama beaches
Directions Open in Maps
The long sandy beach south of the reef, with beginner and intermediate surf breaks, cafes and a busy evening scene.
3 hr · AfternoonFree entryDetails
Board hire and lessons are extra.
Tsunami Honganji Viharaya, Peraliya
Directions Open in Maps
A tall standing Buddha statue facing the sea at Peraliya, built in memory of the people lost in the 2004 tsunami, when a train was swept off the line nearby.
30 min · Any timeFree entryCover shoulders and kneesDetails

Also consider

Worth the trip if you have time. The planner leaves these out unless you add them.

Community tsunami museum
A small, privately run museum of photographs and stories from the 2004 tsunami on the coast road north of town.
30 minDetails Add to a tripDirections Open in Maps
Reported at about LKR 1,000; confirm on the day.

Nearby places to stay

GalleAbout 30 min by carPlan with both
ThalpeAbout 45 min by carPlan with both
UnawatunaAbout 45 min by carPlan with both
AhangamaAbout 1 hr by carPlan with both
BentotaAbout 1 hr by carPlan with both
WeligamaAbout 1 hr 15 min by carPlan with both

Hikkaduwa: quick answers

When is the best time to visit Hikkaduwa?: November to April. May to October brings rough seas and rain. The south-west monsoon (May to September) brings rain and big swells; the coast is at its best from December to April.
How long should you spend in Hikkaduwa?: Plan on 2 nights.
How do you get around Hikkaduwa?: Tuk-tuks and the coast train, which stops at Hikkaduwa station.
What are the main things to see in Hikkaduwa?: Hikkaduwa coral reef and turtles, Hikkaduwa and Narigama beaches, Tsunami Honganji Viharaya, Peraliya.

Photos

Coral and clear water on the reef at Hikkaduwa

Fishing boats pulled up on the beach at Hikkaduwa

When to go

January: Best
February: Best
March: Best
April: Good
May: Poor
June: Poor
July: Poor
August: Poor
September: Poor
October: Poor
November: Good
December: Best

BestGoodPoor

The south-west monsoon (May to September) brings rain and big swells; the coast is at its best from December to April.

Where it is

Driving times from here

Galle	30 min (allow 45 min)
Thalpe	45 min (allow 1 hr)
Unawatuna	45 min (allow 1 hr)
Ahangama	1 hr (allow 1 hr 15 min)
Bentota	1 hr (allow 1 hr 15 min)
Weligama	1 hr 15 min (allow 1 hr 45 min)
Mirissa	1 hr 30 min (allow 2 hr)
Hiriketiya	1 hr 45 min (allow 2 hr)
Tangalle	1 hr 45 min (allow 2 hr)
Colombo	2 hr 15 min (allow 2 hr 45 min)
Negombo	2 hr 30 min (allow 3 hr)
Airport (CMB)	2 hr 45 min (allow 3 hr 15 min)
Tissamaharama	2 hr 45 min (allow 3 hr 15 min)
Ratnapura	3 hr (allow 3 hr 45 min)
Sinharaja	3 hr (allow 3 hr 45 min)
Udawalawe	3 hr (allow 3 hr 30 min)
Kitulgala	4 hr (allow 5 hr)
Kurunegala	4 hr (allow 5 hr)
Kandy	4 hr 45 min (allow 6 hr)
Ella	4 hr 45 min (allow 6 hr)
Haputale	5 hr (allow 6 hr 15 min)
Dambulla	5 hr 15 min (allow 6 hr 15 min)
Sri Pada (Adam's Peak)	5 hr 30 min (allow 7 hr)
Badulla	5 hr 30 min (allow 7 hr)
Sigiriya	5 hr 45 min (allow 7 hr)
Nuwara Eliya	5 hr 45 min (allow 7 hr 15 min)
Kalpitiya	6 hr (allow 7 hr 15 min)
Knuckles Range	6 hr 15 min (allow 7 hr 45 min)
Mahiyangana	7 hr (allow 8 hr 45 min)

Car times from OpenStreetMap routing, adjusted for road conditions.

Ready-made trips that include Hikkaduwa

Use one as it is or open it in the planner and make it yours.

60days
Two months around the island
Negombo → Kalpitiya → Wilpattu → Anuradhapura → Jaffna → and 21 more
Best Feb to May
60days
Two months of nature and adventure
Negombo → Kitulgala → Sri Pada (Adam's Peak) → Knuckles Range → Kandy → and 18 more
Best Jan to Apr
90days
Ninety days: the whole island
Negombo → Kalpitiya → Wilpattu → Anuradhapura → Jaffna → and 31 more
Best Feb to Apr
90days
Ninety days of wellness and slow travel
Negombo → Bentota → Kandy → Knuckles Range → Nuwara Eliya → and 12 more
Best Dec to Apr