Hikkaduwa is a beach town with decades of surf culture, a buzzing social scene and one of the island’s most accessible coral reef marine sanctuaries. Snorkellers and glass-bottom boat passengers can observe sea turtles, clownfish and vibrant coral just metres from the shoreline, while the waves further out draw surfers of all levels. The town’s main strip is lined with open-air restaurants, surf shops, boutiques and bars that keep things cheerful well into the evening.
