Hikkaduwa

A south-coast beach town where you snorkel a protected reef by day, look for sea turtles and surf, and spend evenings in a strip of bars and dance clubs.

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Hikkaduwa is a beach town on Sri Lanka's south-west coast, about 98 km south of Colombo and roughly 17 km north-west of Galle. Villages line about 24 km of shore, and the townsite at the north end has the bus stand, harbour and railway station. People come for the beaches, surfing, coral reef and nightlife. The area was a 19th-century picnic resort for Galle families before tourism replaced fishing and coconut farming. In the 1960s hippies settled here and nicknamed it Hippiduwa.

Snorkelers head to Hikkaduwa National Park, Sri Lanka's first marine sanctuary, with about seventy kinds of coral. Touching coral is banned. Sea turtles come to Turtle Beach, and surfers arrive from about October or November to March or April. Most residents are Buddhists, so dress modestly at temples. Stay in Wewala for nightlife, Narigama for a quieter beach, or Thiranagama for five-star hotels. Galle is an easy day trip.

Hikkaduwa in five

Snorkel the reef with careThe CCF calls the Hikkaduwa reef a protected marine sanctuary, and the DWC lists boat safaris and snorkeling here. Look, but do not stand on or touch the coral, and ask your operator about the sea first.DWC marine tourism
Ask before you swimStrong surf and rip currents are a risk on many Sri Lankan beaches, so ask your hotel or boat operator before entering the sea, even when it looks calm.UK travel advice
Pick the dry season for the seaThe botanic gardens department lists the southwest monsoon as running from May to August, and this coast usually has rough seas and rain then. Check the Department of Meteorology before you book a beach week.Department of Meteorology
Pair it with Galle FortGalle lies along the same coast road and railway line. Use Hikkaduwa for sea and sand, and give Galle a half day for the old town and the ramparts.Galle travel guide
Keep to beach and dress rulesThe FCDO says nude or topless sunbathing is not allowed and that alcohol is not usually available on religious holidays. Cover up away from the beach, especially in villages and at temples.

Things to do in Hikkaduwa

See all attractions in Hikkaduwa

Museum · HikkaduwaGeneral Tsunami Photo Museum

A yellow building with red steps and a door

Sight · HikkaduwaCommunity Tsunami Education Centre and Museum

Temple · HikkaduwaTsunami Honganji Viharaya

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to HikkaduwaPut the places you like in Hikkaduwa on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Bandaranaike (CMB); a long road transfer to the south coast
Getting there: The coastal railway line and road between Colombo and Galle
Getting around: Tuk-tuks and buses along the coast road
Best base: The beach strip, or Galle Fort for a quieter stay
Time needed: 2 to 4 days

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain19 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Dry, calm sea
FebruaryRain17 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Dry, calm sea
MarchRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Hot, calm sea
AprilRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Hot, showers
MayRain30 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Southwest monsoon
JuneRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Rough sea
JulyRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Rough sea
AugustRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Rough sea
SeptemberRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Showers
OctoberRain28 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Rains, humid
NovemberRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Showers
DecemberRain23 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Dry, calm sea

Average daily high and low in Hikkaduwa (Galle), 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Hikkaduwa

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 29°
Humidity: 98%
Wind: 8 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Hikkaduwa

02:11 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+5:30

Today29°24°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed30°23°100%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Thu30°23°100%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Fri30°23°100%Friday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sat30°23°100%Saturday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sun30°23°100%Sunday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.

Updated 11:41 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 332.4 LKR

Amount

Converted to

LKR · Sri Lankan Rupee

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Before you go to Hikkaduwa

Snorkel and boat tripsReef and coast by boatCompare day trips

Beach stays in HikkaduwaBeach road or quieter lanesCheck availability

eSIM for the south coastMaps and train times on the coastRead the guide

Insurance for sea and scootersSurf, snorkeling and hired bikesRead the guide

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Rules for Hikkaduwa, checked

The Department of Wildlife Conservation lists boat safaris and snorkeling at Hikkaduwa among its marine tourism services.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
The CCF describes the Hikkaduwa coral reef as a protected marine sanctuary used for snorkeling and diving.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
FCDO: nude or topless sunbathing is not allowed, and alcohol is not usually available on religious holidays.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source

Plan around Hikkaduwa

Galle travel guide

The fort and south-coast beaches

Read the guide Mirissa travel guide

Whale boats and a small bay

Read the guide Colombo travel guide

The capital, north on the coast line

Read the guide Insurance and scooters

Whether travel cover includes hired bikes

Read the guide Getting around Sri Lanka

Drivers, trains and buses compared

Read the guide All of Sri Lanka

Routes, seasons and entry rules

Read the guide

Hikkaduwa FAQ

Is Hikkaduwa worth visiting?

Yes, for a relaxed beach stay with a reef and boat trips, and as a stop between Colombo and Galle. It is a beach base rather than a sightseeing destination, so pair it with Galle Fort if you want history.

Is snorkeling in Hikkaduwa good?

The CCF describes the reef as a protected marine sanctuary with corals, fish and sea turtles, and the DWC lists boat safaris and snorkeling here. Conditions depend on the sea and the season, so ask your operator the day before and do not stand on coral.

When is the best time to visit Hikkaduwa?

The dry season on the southwest coast, roughly December to March, gives the calmest sea. The southwest monsoon runs from May to August and brings rough seas and rain, and the months either side are a gamble, so check the forecast.

Hikkaduwa or Mirissa: which beach town?

Choose Hikkaduwa for a longer beach strip, reef snorkeling and an easy base near Galle. Choose Mirissa for whale-watching boats and a smaller bay. Both are on the south coast, so a split stay works if you have a week.

Can you visit Galle from Hikkaduwa?

Yes. Galle is further along the same coast road and railway line, so it works as a half-day or day trip by tuk-tuk, taxi or train. Check Sri Lanka Railways for current times, and stay inside the carriage while the train moves.