Rijk van de Kaa, Unsplash License, Source

Hikkaduwa

Surf, turtles and coral reefs

Hikkaduwa is a coastal town on Sri Lanka’s southern coast known for its long sandy beaches and clear waters. The area attracts surfers, families and travelers looking for relaxation or water activities like snorkeling and diving. Local markets sell fresh seafood and tropical fruits. Many hotels and guesthouses line the shore, providing easy access to the beach. Beyond swimming and sunbathing, visitors can explore nearby nature reserves where wildlife sightings are common. The laid-back vibe makes it a popular spot for those seeking both adventure and calm moments by the ocean.

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Town in Sri Lanka

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 7.9

General Safety:	9
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	4

Read details

3/5

English is widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants in Hikkaduwa. Most people working in the tourism industry can communicate effectively in English, though fluency may vary in more local establishments and among older residents.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Hikkaduwa Summary

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Excellent for beaches and snorkeling. Swim in warm waters, snorkel coral reefs, surf gentle waves and enjoy lively beach cafés.

Place score

7.1

Best at:

Sea

Beaches

Walkable

Natural sites

Guided tours

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

❤️ 9

Couples

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

Sri Lanka – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type D , Type M Type D: Type M: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) £1 ≈ LKR 442.31
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common in Sri Lanka, especially in larger cities, but cash is still widely used in rural areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not mandatory in Sri Lanka, but small tips are appreciated for good service in restaurants, hotels, and taxis.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally not allowed in Sri Lanka. Alcohol is typically consumed in licensed venues such as bars and restaurants.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces, including restaurants, bars, and public transport.

Sinhala and Tamil New Year (13–14 April)	Celebrated with family gatherings
Independence Day (4 February)	Commemorates Sri Lanka's independence from British rule

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 119 (Police), 1990 (Ambulance), 110 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	PickMe, Uber
Other:	Sri Lanka is known for its stunning beaches, ancient temples, and rich cultural heritage. It is a popular destination for nature lovers and history enthusiasts.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka

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Jan

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Feb

🌦️

Mar

🌦️

Apr

⛈️

May

⛈️

Jun

⛈️

Jul

⛈️

Aug

⛈️

Sep

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Oct

⛈️

Nov

🌦️

Dec

High season:	Jan. - March, Dec.
Shoulder season:	April, Oct. - Nov.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Southwest monsoon May to September: strong currents, swimming dangerous, many beachfront restaurants and guesthouses close

Best snorkelling and turtle sightings on calm days December to April, surf is better in the shoulder months

Monsoon timing is reversed on the east coast (Trincomalee, Arugam Bay), which is driest May to September

Don't miss

🐠 Snorkel among vibrant corals and tropical fish
🏄‍♀️ Surf the consistent waves at Hikkaduwa Beach
🐢 Watch giant sea turtles feeding near the shore
🎨 Shop handmade jewelry and batik art at the local market
🌅 Take a sunset stroll along the golden beach

You've been here?

Why travel to Hikkaduwa?

Hikkaduwa is one of Sri Lanka's premier surfing destinations, with waves ranging from 4 to 11 feet during the dry season (November to March). The town's coral sanctuary is a shallow, reef-protected area teeming with multicolored corals and countless exotic fish species, making it ideal for snorkeling and glass-bottom boat tours. Large sea turtles are frequently spotted near the shore, allowing for magical up-close encounters with these gentle creatures. Beyond the water activities, Hikkaduwa offers a laid-back beach culture with numerous restaurants, bars and shops lining the coast. While the main Galle Road that runs through town can be busy and somewhat detracts from the beauty, the beaches themselves remain stunning. For diving enthusiasts, there are more than four different shipwrecks to explore and PADI courses are readily available for those looking to enhance their skills.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Moonstone Mines
2 Sea Turtle Hatchery
3 Temple
4 General Tsunami Photo Museum

🎡Places for activities

1 Colombo-Galle Road

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Hikkaduwa
2 Coral Reef Beach Hotel
3 Paradise Lagoon Bungalow
4 Narigama Beach

🎈Events

Hikkaduwa Beach Festival
Surf Competition
Vesak Festival
Poson Full Moon Poya
Esala Perahera
Navam Perahera
New Year Festival
Independence Day Celebrations
Christmas Beach Parties
New Year's Eve Beach Celebrations

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Snorkel coral reefs just 200m offshore from the beach.
Surf beginner-friendly waves at Narigama Beach during November-April peak season.
Visit turtle hatchery to see nests and release baby turtles into the sea.
Ride tuk-tuk to nearby Galle Fort for colonial architecture and sunset ocean views.

How to travel to Hikkaduwa

The most common way to reach Hikkaduwa is from Colombo, Sri Lanka's capital city. Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo is the main entry point for international travelers. From Colombo, you can take a train along the scenic coastal line directly to Hikkaduwa (approximately 3-4 hours). Alternatively, buses run regularly from Colombo to Hikkaduwa and private taxis or pre-arranged transfers are available for more comfortable door-to-door service. Hikkaduwa is also easily accessible from the historic city of Galle, which is only about 20 kilometers away.

Access summary

From Colombo Bandaranaike Airport (CMB): Taxi via expressway, roughly 2–2.5 hours.
From Colombo city: Coastal train or bus to Hikkaduwa, about 2–3 hours.
From Galle: Frequent coastal trains or buses, usually 20–40 minutes.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit different budgets. The town features approximately 14 large international-style hotels ranging from one-star to five-star, while the majority are smaller, more rustic guesthouses and backpacker hostels. Many properties are located right on the beach, offering stunning ocean views. During peak season (November to April), it's advisable to book in advance, while the off-season may offer significant discounts with occupancy rates sometimes dropping below 10%.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon

Hikkaduwa Beach Hotel

Neevana Hotel Hikkaduwa

8.7

Curry Bowl Restaurant & Turtles Rest

8.3

Kalla Bongo Lake Resort

8.9

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Hikkaduwa

Getting around Hikkaduwa is relatively straightforward. The town is compact enough that many attractions along the beach are within walking distance. Tuk-tuks (three-wheelers) are readily available for short trips within town or to nearby villages. For longer journeys, local buses run frequently along Galle Road, connecting Hikkaduwa to neighboring towns. Renting a scooter or bicycle is also popular among tourists who want more independence to explore the coastline at their own pace.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-72 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 72% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-18 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to LKR) is 18% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Galle, Sri Lanka - 17 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£30	£63	£175
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£15	£41	£113
🍝 Food per day	£14	£20	£58
🚕 Transportation per day	£1	£2	£4

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£7
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£1.60
🍟 Fast food combo	£6
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.50
☕ Cappuccino	£1.70
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.30

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.12
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£2.60
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.70

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£2.30
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£13
🤧 Cold medication	£0.55
💇 Basic haircut	£1.40

Safety information overview

General safety

Hikkaduwa is generally safe for tourists, but take caution when crossing the busy Galle Road that runs through town. Petty theft can occur on beaches, so don't leave valuables unattended. The security situation in Sri Lanka can change, so check current travel advisories before visiting.

Health & Medical

Basic medical facilities are available in Hikkaduwa, but for serious conditions, you may need to travel to Colombo. Ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance covering medical evacuation. Dengue fever and Zika virus are health risks in the area, so take precautions against mosquito bites.

Accessibility

Hikkaduwa's infrastructure is developing but still limited for those with mobility challenges. Many beach areas and smaller establishments lack proper accessibility features. Larger hotels offer better facilities, but sidewalks, roads and public transportation are generally not wheelchair-friendly.

Tap water

Tap water in Hikkaduwa is not recommended for drinking. Bottled water is widely available and affordable. Some hotels provide filtered water, but verify its safety. During the dry season, occasional water shortages may occur in smaller accommodations.