Hikkaduwa, is a lively beach, and is one of the most popular in Sri Lanka. It is a town situated on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. Hikkaduwa has something for everyone, from surfers looking for waves to foodies looking for local flavors to backpackers looking for tropical vibes.
🌴 The History and Culture
In the 1960s, Hikkaduwa became a popular spot for surfers and hippie travelers. Before that, it was just a quiet fishing village. Over the years, it has changed into a busy beach town that still has a lot of the real Sri Lankan charm.
☀️ Geography and Climate
Hikkaduwa is located approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of capital Colombo, and it is in the souther District of Galle. Along the Indian Ocean, it has a beach of 4 km (2.5 miles) long and has golden sand, coral reefs, and a natural bay that protects the water.
You may choose the Best Time to Visit Based on the Weather.
The best time to visit Hikkaduwa. is probably during the period November to April. This is the period you find the seas are calm, making it a great and remarkable time for water sports and relaxing on the beach.
The averages temperatures during the day time are 28°C to 32°C (82°F to 90°F).
And, 24°C–26°C (75°F–79°F) at night.
Average sea temperature all year: 27°C to 30°C (80°F to 86°F)
UV Index: High to Very High (8–11): Wear sunscreen and clothes that protect you from the sun.
🏄 Water activities and sports
Hikkaduwa beach is famous for its waves that experienced travellers find good for surfing and coral reefs. Water sports that can be done are:
To surf
Snorkeling
Plunge diving
Go Jet Skiing
Fun with Bananas
Surfing the waves
👪 Languages and People
Sinhalese and Tamil people live in Hikkaduwa, and more and more locals are speaking English because of tourists. The local people living in this area are friendly and always willing to help tourists.
🍛 Food and Dining Out
At Hikkaduwa, you can enjoy a delicious mix of Sri Lankan and international dishes. Some well-known restaurants are:
Nordic House is an excellent place to taste seafood and Sri Lankan curry.
People know the Tigri Beach Restaurant for its cocktails and beachfront dining.
Salty Swamis is popular for its healthy food and cooking style.
Spaghetti & Co. serves Italian food with a twist from the area.
You should also try street food like Kottu, hoppers, and is so wade.
🎉 Festivals and nightlife
Hikkaduwa comes to life at night with:
Fun at the beach
Live music
DJ nights
Top Secret, Vibration Music Bar, and Funky De Bar are all well-known places.
🍾 Party times
The Hikkaduwa Beach Festival happens every year on different dates and is a music and culture event.
Traditional Buddhist parades with elephants and dancers are called peraheras. They are often held in temples nearby.
🎯 Attractions and Things to Do Nearby
The Best Attractions
Hikkaduwa has a National Park is declared as a marine sanctuary where you can, with safety, dive and snorkel.
If you are interested in studying more about the 2004 tsunami, the Tsunami Museum is a memorial site.
The Seenigama Temple which is located on an island where local legends are told.
You may visit Galle Fort is only 20 km away and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Unawatuna Beach is only 25 km / 15.5 miles away from here.
Ambalangoda town is approximately 13 km (8 miles) away and is a town famous for carving traditional masks.
🚴🏼♂️ Travel around
You can rent a car in Hikkaduwa, with or without a driver.
Just for LKR 1,500 per day, you can rent a motorcycle.
Tuk-tuk rentals are a great way to see more of the area.
Renting water toys and sports gear
Near the beach, it's easy to find surfboards, paddleboards, scuba gear, and boats.
🏨 Vacation rentals and places to stay
There is something for every traveler in Hikkaduwa, from cheap hostels to high-end hotels:
Hotels: Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon and Citrus Hikkaduwa
Apartments and rooms: listings on Airbnb, Booking.com and other online agencies
Backpackers can stay in lodges and dorms.
Prices vary from LKR 2,000 to 20,000 per night based on location and level of comfort.
🏥 Medical Facilities
Hikkaduwa has good medical care for travelers:
Hospitals and clinics: Base Hospital Karapitiya (Galle) and private clinics in the area
There are pharmacies in town where you can by both over-the-counter and prescription drugs.
Dental clinics can be found in Galle, which is only 20 km away (12.4 miles).
Diagnostic and Clinical Tests: Galle has full-service labs that do X-rays, blood work, and more.
🛒 Grocery stores and everyday things
Check out these stores for food, toiletries, and travel essentials:
Cargills Food City
Keells Great
Local markets are great places to buy fresh food and snacks.
How to Get There and Around: From Colombo, it's 100 km (62 miles) away.
Two to five hours of travel time
🚗 Ways to Get Around:
Train: Beautiful route along the coast
The buses run regularly and ticket doesn't cost much.
Taking a taxi or a car is quick and easy.
It's 145 km (90 miles) from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) and takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours to drive there.
😊 Why Should You Go to Hikkaduwa?
Hikkaduwa Beach is the perfect place to enjoy nature, culture, adventure, and rest. This beach town is a great place to make memories that will last a lifetime, whether you're diving with turtles, dancing under the stars, or eating curry by the water.