Welcome to Hikkaduwa
Hikkaduwa a town nestled on the south coast of Sri Lanka is placed in the Southern Province, about twenty kilometers to the South-West of Galle. It is a renowned tourist destination, famed for its beaches and corals, situated in the Galle District. Hikkaduwa - derives its name from ‘Sip Kaduwa.’ Sip, shortened for the word Shilpaya, means knowledge or skill in Sinhala, the national language of Sri Lanka and the word kaduwa means sword. Hence, the joint combination of the two words means ‘Sword of Knowledge.’ Another popular idea is that the word derived from Hikkaduwas association with coral.
The sun-kissed palm fringed beaches of Hikkaduwa have mesmerized travelers for centuries. This bubbling town is 98km, or about a three hour drive from Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. Hikkaduwa is a well-known destination for surfing and diving. Its coral gardens and glass bottom boat tours are big attractions. A hop, skip, and a jump from the hotel room lies a fascinating, submarine wonderland of gorgeously coloured corals, tropical reef, and submerged wrecks.
Hikkaduwa also has a wealth of non-beach attractions that will keep you spellbound. The area is home to some of South Asia’s biggest archaeological treasures. Temples, Buddha statues and Sthupa’s dot the vicinity. Most of the historic attractions trace a Buddhist history, which is the faith of the majority. Some of them are a few hundred years old while others trace a history of several thousand years.
Hikkaduwa also has a thick jungle cover, exotic fauna and flora, and rich herbs. One of the best spots offering magnificent vistas of its thick forest cover is the hilltop of Galagoda Temple. This vantage hill point transports visitors to a totally different vegetation, topography, and climate. That is the unique aspect about Hikkaduwa. Within a matter of a few minutes the beach vanishes and a thick forest unfolds, adjacent to a colossal Buddha statue. Within such a small area of space, there are different types of attractions to appreciate.
Get pampered at an Ayurveda spa after a long hectic day spent either at the beach getting a tan or a day spent trekking in a jungle. Hikkaduwa offers healing havens featuring Ayurveda treatments including Shirodhara, Indian head massage, and Pancharkarma Treatments. Rejuvenate and recuperate by spending a few days in isolation at the Madhu Ganga Meditation Centre. Cleanse your soul and come out revitalized as a new you.
We invite you to come explore this quaint sun-kissed town and mingle with its friendly, warm and welcoming inhabitants – the locals, who are tourist-oriented folk, are ready to oblige you or respect your space by allowing you to enjoy their town. Their warm radiant smiles will make you feel right at home… Welcome to Hikkaduwa!!!
The Coral Garden in Hikkaduwa is considered to be amongst the best in Asia. A reef of lime stones run parallel to the coast acting as a natural protector for the corals which lie in-between the wall of lime stone and the coast. From the coast to about 200m into the sea the depth is quite shallow allowing thrill seekers to walk deep into the sea with ease. The corals found in this area are a type locally known as ‘Gampara’. These corals are found in various forms, shapes and colors. A truly majestic sight for the eye the corals sparkle and shimmer radiantly in the clear blue sea.
It was Sir Arthur C Clark who made these corals world famous through his writings. He has made Sri Lanka his home and has been living here for over fifty years. Among the corals you also find a variety of different species of exotic fish and turtles. Boats that have patches of glass fixed to the bottom and are locally known as ‘glass-bottom boats’ are available along the stretches of the beach for the use of those interested in obtaining a clearer view of the magnificent marine life.
Hikkaduwa offers a combination of unique pleasures perhaps unavailable in any other part of the island. Beaches, underwater dive sites, moonstone mines, Buddhist temples, meditation centers, Ayurveda spas, turtle hatcheries, mask production towns, and waterfalls can all be found within an hour’s drive from this intimate town.
Stroll along the strip of boutiques, hotels, resorts, restaurants, bars and discos that adorn the road along the coral-fringed coast. By dusk the town’s coloured lights illuminate, restaurants prepare their candle lit dinners, and calypso bands roam the sidewalks, serenading the casually clad tourists.
