Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka: Coral Reef, Diving, Surfing, Hotels & Taxi Transfers (2026)

Hikkaduwa is a seaside town in the Galle District on Sri Lanka's south-west coast, about 100 km south of Colombo and 20 km north-west of Galle. It sits right on the coastal railway and the Southern Expressway corridor.

Hikkaduwa was a small fishing village until the early 1980s, when its coral reef and surf put it on the international travel map — it became one of Sri Lanka's original beach-tourism hubs. Its reef was declared Sri Lanka's first marine protected area in 1979, later upgraded to a Nature Reserve (1988) and a National Park (2002).

The Hikkaduwa Marine Sanctuary, created on 18 May 1979, was the first official marine protected area in Sri Lanka. It is a shallow fringing reef averaging about 5 m deep, with roughly 60 species of hard coral and over 170 species of reef fish — a living aquarium just off the beach.

Yes. The reef lies in shallow water close to shore, so you can snorkel straight off the beach or take a short glass-bottom boat ride. A 1998 El Niño bleaching event damaged the corals, but the reef is recovering and fish life remains abundant.

Very. Hikkaduwa is one of Sri Lanka's most established dive bases, with shallow reef dives ideal for beginners plus shipwrecks such as the Earl of Shaftesbury and the Conch, and sites featuring caves, drop-offs and plenty of marine life. Several PADI dive schools operate in town.

Yes — it is one of the easiest places in Sri Lanka to snorkel, because the Marine Sanctuary reef is shallow and just metres from the beach. You can often see reef fish and, at times, sea turtles feeding close to shore.

Often, yes. Green sea turtles regularly come in to feed near the shallows around the sanctuary and at nearby beaches, and there are turtle hatcheries along the coast. Please look but don't touch or chase them.

Yes. From roughly November to March, Hikkaduwa offers consistent waves — a forgiving main beach break good for beginners and improvers, plus a punchier reef break further out for experienced surfers. Board hire and lessons are widely available.

The south-west coast is at its best from about November to April, with dry, sunny weather, the clearest water for snorkelling and diving, and the main surf season. May to September can be wetter with bigger swell.

Hikkaduwa is a string of golden-sand beaches — the main Hikkaduwa Beach near the reef and the livelier Narigama Beach to the south, lined with cafés, surf shops and beach bars.

Snorkel or dive the Marine Sanctuary, take a glass-bottom boat over the reef, learn to surf, visit a turtle hatchery, explore the Tsunami Photo Museum and Seenigama temple, or take an easy day trip to Galle Fort.

Galle is about 20 km south of Hikkaduwa — roughly 30 minutes by road — making the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort an easy half-day trip.

Colombo city is around 100–120 km from Hikkaduwa, about 1.5 to 2 hours by car using the Southern Expressway (E01) for most of the journey.

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is about 140 km from Hikkaduwa, roughly 2 to 2.5 hours by car, mostly on the Southern and Colombo–Katunayake expressways.

The Weligama/Mirissa surf area is about 55–60 km south-east of Hikkaduwa, around 1 to 1.5 hours by road along the coast or expressway.

Most visitors arrive by private taxi transfer from Colombo Airport or Colombo via the Southern Expressway, or hop along the coast from Galle, Bentota and the southern beaches. The coastal train also stops at Hikkaduwa.

Use the rate tables on this page — each fare links to the TaxiGo transfer page for that exact route, where you confirm the mini, sedan or van price and book. You can also book at taxigo.lk or message TaxiGo on WhatsApp.

It depends on where you start. As examples from TaxiGo's own fare engine: Bentota to Hikkaduwa is around Rs 9,450 (sedan), Colombo around Rs 19,000, Colombo Airport around Rs 21,000, and Kandy around Rs 36,000. Every route's exact mini/sedan/van fare is listed in the tables above and confirmed live before you book.

Yes. TaxiGo provides fixed-fare door-to-door transfers between Colombo Bandaranaike Airport (CMB) and Hikkaduwa, with meet-and-greet at arrivals — and the same in reverse for your departure.

Three categories on every route: a mini (economy car), a sedan (standard car) and a van for groups, surfboards or extra luggage. Each table row shows the fare for all three.

Yes. Drivers can add Galle Fort, a turtle hatchery, Bentota or a southern-coast beach hop on the way, or build multi-day south-coast and safari itineraries. Add your plans in the notes when booking, or arrange it directly with TaxiGo.