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Major city · Sri Lanka

Hikkaduwa

Spend 2–3 days in Hikkaduwa for beach, surf, snorkeling and nearby marine park; longer only if you plan multiple surf sessions.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Hikkaduwa is a southwest coastal town with a marine national park, surf breaks for all levels, snorkeling reefs and a turtle hatchery. Most visitors enjoy 2–3 days to surf, snorkel and explore the park, with easy day trips to Galle or Unawatuna.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
LKR
Best months
Dec–Apr
avoid May–Oct (monsoon swells)
Airport
CMB
Nights
2–3

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Hikkaduwa: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 5
  • South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
  • South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
  • Sri Lanka ↗Apply for the Electronic Travel Authorisation only on the official government ETA site; lookalike sites charge extra, and the rules and fees change.
  • Sri Lanka ↗At temples cover shoulders and knees, take off shoes and hats, and never pose with your back to a Buddha statue; Buddha images on clothes or tattoos cause offence.
  • Sri Lanka ↗Carry Sri Lankan rupees in small notes; tuk-tuks, buses and small shops are cash-only, and ATMs are fewer outside the cities.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Hikkaduwa119 ▾

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Hikkaduwa, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

SurfingSnorkeling in Hikkaduwa National ParkSea Turtle HatcheryBig Buddha Statue
Airports
CMB Bandaranaike International Airport (Taxi to Hikkaduwa Rs 7,000–12,000, about 2 h)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  5. May

    Avoid

    31°C (88°F)

  6. Jun

    Avoid

    30°C (86°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    30°C (86°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    30°C (86°F)

  9. Sep

    Avoid

    30°C (86°F)

  10. Oct

    Avoid

    31°C (88°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    31°C (88°F)

  12. Dec

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →

Warmest Mar (31°C (88°F)), coolest Jan (24°C (75°F) low), wettest Jul (16 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Hikkaduwa: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

30°C (86°F)

24°C (75°F)

5 rd

Feb

30°C (86°F)

24°C (75°F)

5 rd

Mar

31°C (88°F)

25°C (77°F)

6 rd

Apr

31°C (88°F)

25°C (77°F)

8 rd

May

31°C (88°F)

26°C (79°F)

12 rd

Jun

30°C (86°F)

26°C (79°F)

15 rd

Jul

30°C (86°F)

26°C (79°F)

16 rd

Aug

30°C (86°F)

26°C (79°F)

15 rd

Sep

30°C (86°F)

26°C (79°F)

12 rd

Oct

31°C (88°F)

25°C (77°F)

9 rd

Nov

31°C (88°F)

25°C (77°F)

6 rd

Dec

30°C (86°F)

24°C (75°F)

5 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The main beach road is flat; walk or rent a bicycle for short trips. Tuk‑tuks are common for inland rides; trains run along the coast.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Galle

go

Door to door: ≈ 1 h

Bus from Hikkaduwa, about 40 min; or tuk‑tuk 30 min

Historic fort town, easy to explore in a half‑day.

Unawatuna

go

Door to door: ≈ 1 h

Bus or tuk‑tuk, about 45 min

Beach with snorkeling and laid‑back vibe.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Beachfront guesthouses

Walk to surf spots and park; budget rooms Rs 2,500–4,000 per night.

Hostels near the railway station

Easy access to train and bus; dorm beds Rs 1,200–2,000.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
Rs 3,000–5,000 excl. bed
Mid
Rs 5,000–8,000 excl. bed
High
Rs 8,000+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency

Prices of common things

Bus from Galle to HikkaduwaRs 50
Train 2nd class Colombo → HikkaduwaRs 190
Sea Turtle Hatchery entryRs 1,000
Board rental (surf) 1 hr$3 (≈ Rs 1,100)
Surf lesson 1 hr$12 (≈ Rs 4,400)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Hikkaduwa is generally safe; watch out for strong surf currents and keep valuables secure on the beach.
  • Coral touching is fined; enforcement strict since 2025.
  • Bus rides can be crowded; hold on during peak times.
  • Surf conditions change quickly; heed local warnings.

Emergency numbers

Police
119
Fire
110
Ambulance
1990

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

HikkaduwaHikkaduwa

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Emergency

  • Police119
  • Fire110
  • Ambulance1990

Embassy

My embassy: —

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Hikkaduwa. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Dec–Apr · avoid May–Oct (monsoon swells) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 2 day-trips, door to door
  6. 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to Sri Lanka

Sources

Ask about Hikkaduwa

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