Hikkaduwa Beach

Hikkaduwa Beach is about 90 minutes from Colombo and is perfect for water sports such as surfing, bodyboarding, snorkeling, and scuba diving. All of the necessary equipment can be rented at one of the seaside stands. It's one of the most popular surfing spots in the country, having the best waves from November to March.

Because the beach is so large, it never feels overcrowded. If you choose to stay overnight, there are a number of seaside booths providing a variety of great local street cuisine, as well as a number of hotels and guesthouses. Aditya is a boutique hotel located beyond the forest line on the Hikkaduwa beach. Each unit has its own private plunge pool.

Its coral is also well-known. The Hikkaduwa Coral Sanctuary is a protected marine region off the coast of Sri Lanka that is part of Hikkaduwa National Park. It was built to safeguard the area's coral reefs while also educating visitors on the subject. The sea has a brilliant turquoise color, and the sand is fine and white. Behind the beach area is a national park. It's one of the country's only three marine national parks, with its own coral sanctuary. The park is also recognized for its sea turtles and fish, in addition to the coral.

Address: Hikkaduwa, Hikkaduwa 80240, Sri Lanka

Entrance fee: LKR 380 or INR 150 (Hikkaduwa National Park)

Best time to visit: November to March

Hours: N/A