Apart from all those tourist shops and restaurants in Hikkaduwa the most interesting attraction is the renowned marine park full of brightly hued coral reefs and the different species of reef fish which safeguards the coral cover of the southern coast. This city attracts large numbers of tourists who display an avid interest in the corals of Hikkaduwa. It has over 60 different species of corals which are being carefully recovered which were subject to much damage in the recent past.
The Hikkaduwa National Park is one of the three national marine parks in Sri Lanka consisting of a fringing coral reef with a high degree of bio diversity. It was declared a wild life sanctuary on 18th May 1979 and upgraded to a nature reserve on 14th August 1988. The next 25 years saw a growth in the number of visitors which naturally increased the degradation of the reef. It was declared a national park on September 19th 2002. It suffered due to both natural and human activities and its cover reduced to a low 13%. It has been suggested to restore it to at least 30-40% in order for it to be able to sustain itself. Sadly enough it has been subjected to endless exploitation despite being designated as a protected area.
Hikkaduwa is an interesting town catering to all types of visitors. If you are thinking of a place to stay in Hikkaduwa, base in a hotel such as the Chaaya Tranz Hikkaduwa which has easy access to attractions the town has to offer. If you visit Sri Lanka you would find that you would not be short of things to do in Hikkaduwa, Scuba diving and snorkelling are popular recreations people indulge in, in addition to boat trips, coral watching, etc. The reefs teem with many varieties of fish of various hues shapes and sizes.
Filled with wanderlust that seeks to explore distant shores and captivated by the colors and vibrancy of exotic cultures, Kanya Mae writes on the beautiful, exciting, and enchanting wonders of the world. She is a writer who not only has a passion for travel, but also has a background in fashion, art and media. Google+
