Hikkaduwa is a tiny beach town located on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. It is roughly 17 kilometres away from the bustling town of Galle, and is renowned for its beaches, coral gardens and active night scene. Hikkaduwa is a renowned international surfing destination, and surfers from different parts of the world throng the town between November and April each year. Also, the waters off Hikkaduwa thrive with life and the clear waters are perfect for diving and snorkelling. The coral reefs house a myriad of colourful aquatic fauna, including a variety of eels and rays, clown fish and angel fish.
There are over 20 popular diving spots, and divers are sure to come across an array of dazzling marine life. The waters are quite shallow in many places, making them ideal for snorkelling. A popular spot is the Hikkaduwa Coral Gardens, considered one of the finest coral gardens in Asia. One can witness a staggering variety of coral, in a number of brilliant colours and shapes. Swimmers will get to see elkhorn coral, staghorn coral and even brain coral (which was named due to its eerie resemblance to the organ).
Those who want to explore the underwater world a bit further can go scuba diving. Popular diving spots include, Black Coral Point, home to snappers, angel fish and of course, black coral; Hikkaduwa Gala, which contains a sophisticated coral bed frequented by rays, lobsters and even barracuda; and Kirala Gala, where lucky divers may get to see majestic manta rays and giant whale sharks. There are also a number of famous wrecks that can be explored. The Alette Adrianna, the Earl of Shaftsbury, and the Crispigi Cross are famous wrecks that can be safely visited.
Tourists who visit Sri Lanka should try and drop by Hikkaduwa for a day or two. The town is located on Galle Road, the famous passage from Colombo to Galle. There are plenty of excellent beach hotels in Sri Lanka. Tourists searching for a luxury Hikkaduwa hotel cannot go wrong with the Chaaya Tranz Hikkaduwa. The hotel perfectly captures the town’s vibrancy and energy, making it an ideal place to stay.
