Andrew Phillipes
Hikkaduwa is a beach town located about 114km from the main city of Colombo. While enjoying the sun, sand and the sea, there is plenty to do when in Hikka.
The coral gardens of Hikkaduwa are the highlight of the city and therefore is must-not-miss item number 1. Being the habitat for a plethora of flora and fishes, the coral reef is considered a sanctuary. Going to a depth of about 5m, this is sure to hold you in awe as you witness the nature's creations. The best part of the visit is that no experience is needed for the visit, as glass-bottomed boats can be arranged to take you and your entire family out to sea to witness this wonder.
Where there is a beach, there are water sports! Hikkaduwa is famous for scuba diving and snorkelling in Sri Lanka. You can engage in either of these activities through any of the holiday resorts in Sri Lanka that are located in Hikkaduwa. November to April is the peak season for water sports as the monsoons have left the island by that point, paving the way for glorious frolics in water. In addition to numerous hotels and resorts such as Citrus Leisure, a number of PADI certified diving schools are scattered along the coast, offering quick courses at affordable rates.
Grab a pair of snorkelling goggles and get up close and personal with the coral gardens. If you are more experienced, then dive right into the blue waters of the Indian Ocean and explore shipwrecks that are awaiting the eyes of an explorer. The Earl of Shaftesbury and The Rangoon are two popular shipwrecks in the area that is sure to keep you engaged!
While it is all good and fun to see the marine life from behind the glass of a boat, it is sure to be an enthralling activity for you and your kids to visit a turtle hatchery. Threatened to be the point of going extinct, turtles around Hikkaduwa are looked after by these hatcheries. In order to encourage repopulation, the villagers in the vicinity are encouraged to trade in turtle eggs in return for payment to the hatcheries. Once the eggs are received, they are carefully attended to until the eggs hatch and the little turtles are looked after by the trained professionals until such age that they are mature enough to go into the ocean.
You can watch baby turtles soon after they are hatched, and even hold one in your hands. If the timing is right, and you are lucky, you might even be able to go out on a night expedition to witness the release of the tiny forms of life to the greater seas.
At the end of the day, what one must not miss is what one came to the beach for. So play a game of volleyball on the beach, throw a Frisbee around with your kids, lounge under the shade of palm trees and enjoy a king coconut while soaking in the salty air. There is plenty to enjoy in sunny Hikka, even if all one does is sit under the glorious rays of the sun, dig their toes into the sun-kissed sand and let the foamy waves wash over them.
