Hikkaduwa Beach
One of the best beaches in Sri Lanka is the Hikkaduwa beach. It’s the perfect beach for snorkelling and surfing. You will get a lot of training schools on the beach to teach you the techniques. Remember the warnings and instructions they provide you as the sea might turn dangerous. You will also get a lot of sea side restaurants which serve delicious delicacies to dig into. Buy a cocktail and enjoy the sunset on the beach.
Turtle hatchery
As you head towards the beach, you will pass a turtle farm where turtles are hatched and after keeping them in the tanks for a specific period of time, they are left in their forever home, the sea. On the outer boundary wall of the hatchery, you will see beautiful colourful paintings of turtles. Inside, there are big tanks with tiny turtles swimming in them. There are different tanks for different species. They are hatched on sand and when they come out of their shells, they are placed in the tanks with water. Some turtle species are endangered ones, like the hawksbill turtle.
Tsunami Museum
In 2004, tsunami hit the coastal areas of Sri Lanka, India and few more countries, causing a huge harm to human lives. A lot of people lost their lives; a lot lost everything they had. Tsunami Museum is the place where you get to witness the photos taken during the calamity. You will get a painful idea of what the people there have gone through in real. The museum opens at 9 in the morning. The entry is free for all.
Gangarama Maha Viraha
It is a Buddhist temple with beautiful works of art and architecture. It is a home to many monks. You will not regret visiting the temple.
Scuba diving and snorkelling
If you want to have a close look to the marine ecosystem, you must go for scuba diving at Hikkaduwa. The coral gardens are a treat for the eyes. If you don’t prefer diving and snorkelling, glass bottomed boats are there for you.
Hikkaduwa harbour
You will experience fishing in this place by the local fishermen. The water has oil spills on them due to the boats around. It’s a nice place for a short visit.
Moonstone mines
Have you ever wondered, where from the pretty moonstone on your finger comes? They come from the natural moonstone mines like the one in Hikkaduwa. You can pay a short visit to the mine to see what it’s actually like. Buying the gems are not recommended as they may not be genuine.
Hikkaduwa National Park
The Hikkaduwa National Park was declared so in the year 1988 from a wildlife sanctuary. The park has a great coral reef which you must see. It is actually a marine national park. You will also get to see sharks there.
Saffron Robes Gallery and Studio
This is a painting studio in Hikkaduwa where you will get to see amazing paintings and other works of art like clothes, showpieces, masks, etc. You can also do some shopping there.
Narigama beach
This beach is also known as the Hikkaduwa coral beach. You can swim and surf in this beach.
