Hikkaduwa Marine National Park
One of the three marine national parks in Sri Lanka with rich biodiversity fringing coral reef. The reef at Hikkaduwa extends about 130m seawards before dropping sharply to a soft substrate at 7-10m which also reduces coastal erosion by acting as a natural breakwater. Encompassing a total of 101.6 hectares.
Hikkaduwa Marine National Park offers an ideal spot for scuba diving, coral reef observation and marine photography. The reef biodiversity is rich with a total of 60 coral species, 170 species of reef fish and 08 species of butterflyfish. Coral types of Staghorn, Elkhorn, cabbage, brain, table and star collar are observable in the reef consisting of coral species belonging to Montipora, Faviidae and Poritidae.
The reef is also home to Dugongs, sea turtles and various invertebrates such as prawns, crabs, shrimps, oysters, and sea worms.
Additional information
Nearby Attractions
The most popular nearby attraction
- Hikkaduwa Bech
- Galle Dutch Fort
- Madu River
- Japanese Peace Pagoda
- Jungle Beach
- Unawatuna Beach
Hikkaduwa is a small coastal town with a beach that stretches for approximately 2 kilometers. The long beach, which is lined with hotels, restaurants, cafes, sun loungers, and parasols, is ideal for strolls.
Hikkaduwa is a popular beach destination for sunbathing, scuba diving, and surfing. It is one of Sri Lanka’s best-surfing destinations, with jetties, reefs, and beach breaks.
Again, it is one of the best spots on the island for a picture-perfect scene of sea, sand, and sun.
Distance: 500 m
The Galle Dutch Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was originally erected in the 16th century by the Portuguese.
Distance: 19 Km
The Madu Ganga river estuary is a complex coastal ecosystem protected by the International Ramsar Convention. Madu Ganga is Sri Lanka’s biggest preserved mangrove swamp, and it is home to a variety of fish and reptile species. Good for Boat Rides.
Distance: 27 Km
Nichidatsu Fujii, a Japanese Buddhist monk, dedicated his life in 1947 to building Peace Pagodas across the globe as symbols of peace. Over 80 Peace Pagodas have been constructed across the world, including in Europe, Asia, and the United States.
Distance: 22 Km
It’s a lovely bay tucked in a wooded region that’s popular for day trips.
Distance: 22 Km
The beach is surrounded by a double reef, which reduces the impact of the waves of the Indian Ocean, making it excellent for safe swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
Distance: 24 Km
Accommodation
Accommodation (within 10km)
- Star Classified hotels- Yes
- International Chain Hotels- No
- Boutique Hotels- Yes
- Resorts- No
- Ayurvedic Hotels- Yes
- Inns/Guest Houses- Yes
- Hostels- Yes
- Homestays- Yes
- Eco Hotels- Yes
* You might still find preferred accommodation in nearby cities.
Distance
Distance from (estimate)
- CMB Airport- 142km (travel time: 2hrs 15min)
- Colombo City- 116km (travel time: 2hrs 15min)
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress- 265km (travel time: 4hrs 50min)
- Anuradhapura Ancient City- 302km (travel time: 5hrs 20min)
- Polonnaruwa Ancient City- 313km (travel time: 5hrs 40min)
- Kandy City- 213km (travel time: 4hrs 10min)
- Galle Dutch Fort- 20km (travel time: 30min)
* The time and distance are only given to give you an idea. There are stopovers between the two locations. The cities listed above are some of the most popular tourist attractions in Sri Lanka.
Best Time
Season
- November to March