TOP 7 THINGS TO DO IN HIKKADUWA, SRI LANKA

Things To Do In Hikkaduwa

I have just arrived to Sri Lanka after spending some time snowboarding in Japan. I went from one extreme to the next, freezing cold -10 degrees wearing layers of clothing to a scorching 30 degrees and a sunburn! Click Here to see my snowboarding adventures in Japan.

I’m here on this trip with 3 of my good friends Samuel, Elle and Lena. Our plan is to hug the southern coastline, exploring all the beaches and then head inland to visit a number of national parks, do some hiking and of course take the scenic train ride from Kandy to Ella.

BEST TIME TO VISIT HIKKADUWA BEACH

Our first stop is Hikkaduwa Beach. A coastal town approx. 100km south of Colombo. The best time of year to visit is November – March for the hot summer rays and good surf. Although this is peak season for tourists the prices for accomodation and food are very reasonable.

HOW TO GET TO HIKKADUWA SRI LANKA

There are 3 options on how to get here from Colombo Airport: Priavte Taxi, Train or Bus. The most convenient is a private taxi, directly from the airport, that takes 1.5 hours for approx. $80, and they will drop you straight to the doorstep of your hotel. The train or bus options means having to get a taxi from the airport to the bus station or the train station in Colombo and then transferring to head south to Hikkaduwa. This option is cheaper though the travel time is a lot longer, around 3-4 hours.

HIKKADUWA BEACH MAP

HIKKADUWA BEACH ACCOMMODATION

Hikkaduwa Beach has a range of accommodations to suit every type of traveller. To see what’s available and what best suits you, click HERE and book in advance.

I pre booked a room at Yonal Homestay which is centrally located and a 5 min walk to Hikkaduwa Beach. I found everything to be within walking distance and there is no need to rent a car or scooter here.

TOP 7 THINGS TO DO IN HIKKADUWA

1. Hikkaduwa Beach

Explore the white sand beaches and crystal blue waters of Hikkaduwa Beach. Go for a swim or even find a palm tree to climb! There are numerous swim spots along the stretch of coastline many of which have huge turtles swimming around close to shore.

2. Snorkelling Trip

Rent a mask and snorkel and take a short boat ride over to the outer reefs to get a closer look at the underwater world. There are many tour operators set up on the beach that can help you organise a snorkelling trip. If snorkelling is not enough, you can also book a scuba diving trip to explore the shipwrecks right off the coast.

3. Rent A Surfboard

Surf’s Up! Hikkaduwa is becoming quite a famous surf spot for its clean waves and consistent swell. If you don’t have your own surfboard you can easily find one to rent from a local surf shack on the beach or from a shop in town.

4. Railway Adventure

Adventure down the railway tracks of Hikkaduwa. Just one block back from the main street is the local railway line where you can dare to get as close as you like to the trains that come hooning past. When the track is clear, it is a great spot to take photos standing on the railway.

5. Juice Bar

Quench your thirst at one of the road side Juice Bars. It is by far the freshest juice I have tasted. The local fruit market is working around the clock so you know the fruit is going to be as fresh as it gets.

6. Gangarama Temple

Visit the Gangarama Maha Vihara Temple. This interesting Buddhist temple has lots of popular educational paintings that are the work of one man over nearly a decade. The monks are happy to show you around.

7. Local Street Food

If you are a foodie then you must indulge in the local road side roti. There are many different ones to choose from though a personal favourite of mine is the spicy vegetable and egg.

OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST NEAR HIKKADUWA BEACH SRI LANKA

If you are in Sri Lanka on a self-guided adventure, be sure to check out my 2 Week Sri Lanka Itinerary blog post to help you with planning your trip around this wonderful country.

I would recommend spending 2-3 days in Hikkaduwa to get a real feel for the area! I hope you have enjoyed reading this article and if there is anything I haven’t covered feel free to leave me a comment below with any questions you may have 🙂

Next stop, Unawatuna Beach!