Location: Hikkaduwa
Top Things to do in Hikkaduwa
What to do and see in Hikkaduwa, Southern Province: The Best Things to do
Hikkaduwa is a small town on the south coast of Sri Lanka located in the Southern Province, about 17 km (11 mi) north-west of Galle and 98 km (61 mi) south of Colombo.
Restaurants in Hikkaduwa
1. Turtle Beach
2. Seenigama Muhudu Viharaya
3. Tsunami Honganji Vihara
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 611 reviews
Reviewed By seevalid - Colombo, Sri Lanka
Five of us visited Tsunami Honganji Vihara on 26th December 2019, exactly fifteen years after the 2004 boxing day tsunami - the most destructive natural disaster to hit Sri Lanka. Over 2000 lost their lives at this village, Peraliya. 1700 of these were caught hapless inside an express train that was plying from Colombo to Galle along the rail-track only a short distance from the sea. The train had halted as there were people on the railway line that was lying above the surrounding land filled with water from the first wave of the tsunami. When the train stopped people climbed on to the stationary train. The second more forceful wave swept the train off the ground along with the people. Most people on the train perished. Thousands of families were devasted in this village. There were many visitors at this temple on that fifteenth anniversary day to remember the lost and loved ones. We too participated in the Buddhist commemoration activities conducted in the evening. The yellow coloured compassionate serene statue standing in the middle of a lake is said to be the replica of the Bhamian Buddha in Afghanistan destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. The 30-metre statue gazes out into the Indian ocean that brought such destruction to that "Peraliya" coastal village. The statue had been built with Japanese assistance. Entrance is free. Since this is a place of worship visitors are required to be modestly dressed. Footwear are left at the entrance. Whilst there, we heard stories of the disaster from several survivors. It was a moment and a place for quiet contemplation remembering and imagining what it would have been for the unsuspecting victims!
4. Saffron Robes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By 487infinityh
I buy there masks, luxury paintings, can use visa/mc. Very friendly stuff and music... 4 floors, with terrase with sea view.
5. Community Tsunami Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 671 reviews
Community Tsunami Museum is aimed educating communities on Tsunami and preserve the memories of 2004 Tsunami. This museum is the continuation of the efforts of Third Wave Volunteers lead by Dr. Alison Thompson (author of The Third Wave - A volunteer Story and the director of Film Third Wave). This museum will take you a touching journey through science and history of 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.
Reviewed By Drbigloveuk
We walked here from hikkaduwa which is worth doing just to see the comings and goings. The museum has an informative section upon entering which talks you through the history and geology of both Sri Lanka and the cause of tsumani. The rest of the museum is dedicated to photographs of the tradegy. Be warned, some are graphic but that is the reality of the situation Two vey informative museum workers guided us around the display. They were both local villagers one of whom was just five at the time of the disaster. They are able to describe all the photos, identify many of the subjects and inform you of their personal experiences. A very informative, sad and thought provoking tour that must be done by all.
6. Naga Viharaya
7. Narigama Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 150 reviews
Reviewed By annalisacorrigan - Sri Lanka, null
If you are in Hikkaduwa, this is the part if the beach that you really want to head for.... Beautiful, peaceful, clean and the softest sand! We absolutely love this beach!!! A couple of chilled cafe / bar / restaurants are here. Our favourites being Palm Tree Guesthouse and Thambili Cafe. If you want more choice a short walk along towards Hikkaduwa Beach offers everything you could ever want. Hikkaduwa beach is nice. But if you want to be somewhere a bit more chilled out (it's only a short walk away), then this is THE beach in South / West Sri Lanka. Definitely our favourite!
8. Turtle Hatchery Hikkaduwa
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,484 reviews
Reviewed By Davstan14
Amazing conservation experience, was wonderful to be able to hold baby turtles and release them into the ocean - so cute!! Definitely a cause worth supporting, and especially good to support them now that they are open after covid! Will definitely come back next time I visit Sri Lanka!
9. Hikkaduwa Beach
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,326 reviews
Reviewed By alibcc - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
My favorite place to forget about everything , best beach in sri lanka , amazing people , the best place to meet new people, night life there is amazing all clubs are amazing even staff amazing & friendly
10. Coral Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 181 reviews
Reviewed By JuliaWhittakr - Paris, France
We did snorkeling for 2 days by ourselves. This area is very safe to swim or dive. Pleas try yourself. There are some shops on beach to hire equipment for snorkeling.
