Hikkaduwa: Why You'll Love This Destination
Hikkaduwa was one of the first beach towns to draw international surfers and backpackers in the 1970s, and it's kept that energetic edge — a shallow coral reef right off the main beach makes for easy snorkelling by day, while the strip comes alive with bars and restaurants after dark.
A shallow reef sits close enough to shore to snorkel without a boat — full details in the snorkeling in Hikkaduwa guide.
The most active nightlife scene on the south coast, with beach bars, restaurants and live music clustered along the main road.
At around 100km, it's the nearest full-scale beach resort town to the capital, popular for weekend trips.
Combine reef snorkelling with a stop at the Kosgoda turtle hatchery just up the coast, or continue south to Galle.
