Understand
Hikkaduwa was already popular surfing spot in the 1970’s. It is famous for its scenic beaches, Coral reef sanctuary, surfing and nightlife.
Hikkaduwa is divided into three main areas (from north to south):
- the Sri Lankan town (with associated public infrastructure, including bus stand, harbour, and railway station)
- the tourist area, along Hikkaduwa Beach (with numerous hotels, restaurants and nightclubs, with a snorkel/dive due to the coral reef (Hikkaduwa Coral Sanctuary)
- Thiranagama, along Narigama Beach, an upscale area where the only 5-star hotels in the Hikkaduwa district are located (Riff Hotel and Haritha Villas).
Get in
Hikkaduwa is located on the Coastal or Southern Rail Line (connecting Colombo through to Matara) and on the A2 highway, connecting Colombo to Wellawaya. It is 15 km from the E01 Southern Expressway (highway connecting Colombo to Hambantota)
The nearest airport is located in Colombo. A taxi or driver to/from Colombo can cost anything from 6,000 to 11,000 LKR, and can be arranged through your accomodation or various other tour companies.
Buses run frequently to Galle and further south. It is possible to embark the bus at the bus station in Hikkaduwa bus also along the road, just put up your hand and the bus will stop. Buses to/from Galle cost roughly 20 LKR (we paid 100 LKR for 2 people and didn’t get any change) and take around 40-50 minutes, whereas a tuk-tuk will cost you around 1,000 LKR and take 30-40 minutes. Bare in mind that the buses might be very crowded and you could have to stand up for the entire journey, however a bus ride gives you plenty of opportunities to mingle with the locals.
Get around
You can get from one to the other side of the village in less than 1 hour, but there are a lot of tuk-tuks who will be happy to serve you. The drivers are usually very friendly and keen on becoming your friend. As of December 2019, the price to be taken from one side of town to the other is around 200-300 LKR. There is no problem to walk around the town but for longer distances it is better to use the tuk-tuks, since you have to be walking on the main road with somewhat intense and unpredictable traffic.
See
Nice sunsets from numerous beach-front cafes. Turtles that come for feeding to the beach of Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon Hotel.
- Hikkaduwa Coral Sanctuary, (located a few hundred metres offshore). The sanctuary has approximately seventy varieties of multi-coloured corals.
- Sea Turtle Hatchery & Rescue Center, (Located a few kilometers north of the main strip near Seenigama.). Play with baby sea turtles and observe disabled sea turtles. 500 LKR.
- Community Tsunami Education Center & Museum. The original museum with both educational purpose and lots of photographs of 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami run by government. Whole wall dedicated to a train disaster that happened in Peraliya and cost 1500 lifes. Some of the photos are not for sensitive people. 500 LKR.
- General Tsunami Photo Museum. 30,000 people were killed when a tsunami struck Sri Lanka in 2004. A couple of meters from the original museum, this photo exhibit was opened later and claims to give substatial part of donations to victims of the disaster. Free entry.
