Why Hikkaduwa will steal your heart
Hikkaduwa is the south-west coast's liveliest beach town, and for anyone who loves the sea, it's a joy. A coral reef runs just off the shore, protected as a marine national park, so you can walk into the water and snorkel among colourful fish within a few strokes of the beach.
The real stars, though, are the green sea turtles. They often swim right into the shallows to feed on seaweed, and you can watch them gliding past just a few metres away. Please watch from a respectful distance, and never feed or touch them.
For a closer look at the reef without getting wet, take a glass-bottom boat trip. Divers can explore coral gardens and several wrecks nearby with the local diving schools.
From around November to April, Hikkaduwa's reef and beach breaks offer reliable waves for surfers of all levels, and there are plenty of surf schools and board-hire shops for beginners. Watching the sunset from a beach bar, as the surfers catch the last waves, is a Hikkaduwa ritual.
Hikkaduwa has a relaxed, sociable vibe, with plenty of places to stay and eat for every budget. It's close to Galle Fort and the mask-making town of Ambalangoda, and just a few hours from Colombo, which makes it an easy and fun beach base.
