A staple of Sri Lanka’s tourist trail since the 1970s, Hikkaduwa is known for its beaches, surf breaks, sea turtles, and coral gardens. Just 62 miles (100 kilometers) south of the bustling capital, Colombo, this happening hub is a great base for exploring the coast, including the Madu River and nearby Galle. Some of the best things to do in Hikkaduwa are closer to town—including swimming with sea turtles, visiting the Tsunami Museum and Tsunami Honganji Viharaya (Big Buddha Statue), and checking out the island temple, Seenigama Vihara.
Hikkaduwa’s high season—roughly November to March—is the most popular (and most expensive) time to visit. In addition to having the best weather, it’s also the perfect time to go diving and surfing. Visitors between January and April may also see baby turtles hatching and making their way to the ocean. Although the rainy season can be wet and muddy, the shoulder months (April and October) are usually pleasant and quieter.
Hikkaduwa is well-connected with the rest of Sri Lanka, with the highway and train line running through the town. While most visitors use tuk-tuks to get around locally, you can also take taxis or hire bicycles depending on how far you plan on going. If you prefer to explore by water, you can join catamaran trips to nearby reefs and boating safaris on the Madu River.
Most visitors come to Hikkaduwa to have a good time. The beach town was one of the worst struck by the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004. Just outside Hikkaduwa, the Big Buddha statue—Tsunami Honganji Viharaya—was erected to honor the memories of the 35,000 people lost in the disaster and protect the people from harm. Modeled after the 6th-century Buddha of Bamiyan statue in Afghanistan, it—and the nearby Tsunami Museum—are well worth a visit.
