Paradise Island, Sri Lanka, is one of the favorite tourist destinations known for its pearl sand beaches and dreamy Indian ocean. So, let’s unveil its beautiful Hikkaduwa Beach and see why it is important and worth visiting!
Hikkaduwa Beach is the main beach in the small town of Hikkaduwa, located about 70 miles towards the South. This is one of the best and most beautiful beaches in the country. This place is known for its shallow, swim-friendly water, coral reefs, marine creatures, and surroundings loaded with high-end eateries, hotels, and places to explore.
Come with us- we are about to take you on a sweet escapade through the sands and waters of mesmerizing Hikkaduwa Beach!
Where Is Hikkaduwa Beach Located?
To reach Hikkaduwa Beach, you will have to travel about 70 miles to the south side of the Island from the central city of Colombo or about 12 miles from Galle. Popularly known among the folks as “Hikka,” this is a lengthy stretch of beach compared to other beaches in the country. Hikkaduwa Beach belongs to the small beach town Hikkaduwa, located in the Galle district of the Southern Province of Sri Lanka.
Is Hikkaduwa Beach Really Worth Visiting?
Hikkaduwa in Galle, Sri Lanka, is one of the major places in the country that lures thousands of local and foreign beach enthusiasts each year. The tourism industry around this area has been thriving ever since as it boasts a rich diversity of tropical atmosphere of the island.
Hikkaduwa Beach is absolutely worth visiting and should be a top site in your Sri Lankan itinerary, especially if you love the warm sun and the vibrant beach vibe. This has been an epicenter for many water sports for adrenaline junkies, and it also provides a great deal of marine life for all nature lovers.
Being one of the most visited beaches on the southern coast, this beach is also the ultimate place for you to unwind during your holiday, sunbathing, swimming, or even dining at a top-notch eatery to enjoy the best and freshest seafood.
Sip on a red wine on top of a beachfront luxury hotel while enjoying a romantic getaway with your partner, or indulge in a lamp-lit dinner in a beachside restaurant with your family. Oh yes, Hikkaduwa Beach is the ultimate place to be and to collect priceless memories in your travel journal!
A Little Sneak Peak From The History Of Hikkaduwa Beach…
Hikkaduwa Beach is known to have been discovered in the 1960s. It has been attracting tourists since then, and tourism around the area seems to have developed a lot lately.
The main mode of economy of the people living in the area has been fishing and coconut cultivation since ancient times. But now they earn a great deal through tourism. Hikkaduwa was affected by the Tsunami tidal wave in 2004, but everything was reconstructed and renovated like never before.
The Incredible Experiences You Can Have At Hikkaduwa Beach
Just because it is a beach destination, it doesn’t mean the adventure is confined to the sea and sand. In fact, Hikkaduwa is a hotspot in Sri Lanka that gives you the ultimate satisfaction of an incredible beach vibe, vibrant nightlife, breathtaking aquatic life, along with an exotic hippie atmosphere.
On top of everything, Hikkaduwa Beach is well-known for its coral reefs and scuba-diving locations. Moreover, it is also one of the ideal beaches in the country for snorkeling, skiing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, and many more adventurous watersports. You’ll be fascinated as huge turtles will reach you while you dip in the turquoise water.
They will swim by you calmly while you can capture the moments and enjoy the company of these beautiful aquatic creatures! The sand of this beach is pristine and soft so that you can relax, sunbathing if you don’t need to do anything but have a comforting time under the sun. The beach is lined with several little stalls that sell handmade jewelry, hand-printed t-shirts, and other garments.
You should not forget to visit the turtle hatcheries around Hikkaduwa and enjoy an unforgettable seafood meal provided by the best hotels, cafes, and restaurants in the area.
What Is The Best Time Of The Year To Visit Hikkaduwa Beach?
Although the beach is open year-round, you should know the best time of the year to visit this place to get the most out of your journey. On that note, anytime between the months of December to March is considered the ideal time to hit this beach and get yourself salted!
The weather is most settled during this time of the year, so you can get a better experience. However, no matter what month you visit this place, it will always be lit, and the vibe is all the same!
How Can You Reach Hikkaduwa Beach?
There are two main ways to reach Hikkaduwa, no matter where your current location in Sri Lanka is: public transport and private transport. If you wish to take public transport, you can either choose the bus or the train. If you take the bus, you can board from Colombo and take the bus to Matara, Galle, or Tangalle.
These buses pass through Hikkaduwa so that you can get down from the Hikkaduwa bus stop and take a tuk-tuk to your destination. The bus journey would roughly take around 3 hours. And if you take the rail, you can get the train from Colombo to Matara and get down from the Hikkaduwa station. If you wish to take a private vehicle, you can either go for a local taxi service or hire a vehicle from a cab service.
However, private transport could be far more expensive but will provide you with a comfortable, hassle-free journey. At the same time, public transport can be budget-friendly, yet you’ll experience some discomfort due to the crowd. Nevertheless, you can book your tickets for the bus or train so that you will have a seat until you reach your destination.
In addition to all of these, you can also count on the domestic flight services provided by several companies in Sri Lanka. For this, you will have to contact the relevant service provider and book the flights in advance. The flight will usually take you to Koggala, where you might have to take your way up to Hikkaduwa. The cost will really hit you, though!
Moving Around Hikkaduwa Is More Fun Than You Could Ever Imagine!
So, once you get to Hikkaduwa by using any transportation mode you prefer, you must be thinking about how you would move around the place to explore the area. In that case, you have several ways to do it.
This tourist destination provides a more adventurous facility for travelers to explore Hikkaduwa by renting motorbikes and scooters. There are plenty of places where you can get this service. Wandering Hikkaduwa on a motorbike or a scooter is particularly an excellent experience for backpackers.
You are even provided with a rider guide if you’re a solo traveler. If not, you can also hire a tuk-tuk. Since most drivers are well-knowledgeable about the area, they will show you the area as a guided tour.
Must-visit Attractions Near Hikkaduwa Beach
Hikkaduwa is undoubtedly beyond its beach and sea. Once you enjoy the luxury of the main beach, you’ve got plenty of other places to see nearby and experiences to gain. Thus, do not forget to visit these top attractions when you travel to Hikkaduwa:
- Narigama beach
- Turtle Beach
- Coral sanctuary
- Turtle hatcheries
- Moonstone mine
- Saffron Robes Art Gallery
In addition to these places, you can also experience the opulence of some of the best hotels in the country in Hikkaduwa. Do not miss out on your chance to hit small local eateries to enjoy some fresh seafood. And you can also pamper yourself with a soothing, rejuvenating massage session by booking a luxury spa around this area.
And if you need to get more beach experience, you can take your way to Galle, Tangalle, or Matara. Or else, spend around one hour by taking the expressway and going to Bandaragama, Kalutara, to visit Sri Lanka’s biggest water park, Pearl Bay Water Park, to have an unforgettable adventure!
Travel Smart- Follow The Safety And Security Tips When Visiting Hikkaduwa
In general, Hikkaduwa is a safe place to travel with your whole family. But still, some general safety and security tips exist so that you can make your experience a better one. Lifeguards often patrol most parts of the beach.
However, you should always look out for the warning signs and avoid anytime they alert you that the sea can be aggressive or the beach is risky. Moreover, it is important to remember that you should only take the essentials to the beach, leaving the rest in the place you stay.
Watch out for scammers and try to avoid the sellers on the beach as much as possible. There are decent small stalls along the beach if you need to buy anything so that you don’t have to get caught by any tricksters. Also, do not forget your sun protection gears and applications, as the sun can be hot and bright in this spot. You should not litter the beach, and alcohol is usually not allowed here.
Satisfy Your Sea Craving By Visiting Hikkaduwa Beach!
Lying gorgeously on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, Hikkaduwa is indeed a must-visit beach destination that you should never miss during your stay on this beautiful island. Framed by a luscious palm grove, Hikkaduwa Beach is the main beach in the small coastal town of Hikkaduwa. You can collect some priceless memories by visiting this place while getting your dose of Vitamin SEA and, engaging in various water sports, enjoying its vivid nightlife!
