Joanna James
A small coastal town situated in the Matara district in the south of Sri Lanka, Dickwella is famed for the stretch of long sandy beach well secured by reefs, sand bars and many natural formations thus enticing not only families and groups to enjoy a dip in the ocean here but also novices to swimming. The biggest seated statue of Lord Buddha on the island and many other unique attractions are found around Dickwella.
The beach here is a great attraction due to the naturally secure stretch and being open to the public. The tropical heat during mid-mornings and afternoons makes it necessary to have your head and face as you relax on the beach, therefore carrying a wide-brimmed hat is useful, or parasols and even deck chairs to relax on can be hired from booths around the beach. Ensure you carry good sunscreen too. For visitors, motorbikes and cars can be hired through your Dickwella resort to get to the beach and back.
In addition to a swim at the beach, there are many activities you can do to make it memorable. Get a deck chair and parasol and soak in the beauty around you letting the breeze caress your skin. As you are on holiday and in no rush to get back, get a long cool drink to be hydrated. Another great way to relax at the beach is to get a soothing massage as you enjoy the warm sun. There are many expert local masseurs on the beach offering this service at an attractive charge. If you are with a group of friends do a game of ball which is a fun activity with your feet sinking in the sand. To top it all off experience a stroll along the beach especially at sunset or sunrise to capture the glory of the moment.
There are an array of restaurants, diners and cafés turning out mouthwatering Sri Lankan and International dishes to satiate the hunger pangs of beach revellers and other visitors to Dickwella. Juicy meat or Vege Burgers, seafood delights especially prawn dishes, sandwiches, Sri Lankan rice and curry and salads are just a handful of what is on offer. Enjoy coffee, heavenly tropical fruit juices and other beverages of your choice too. Guests from hotels such as Dickwella Resort & Spa enjoy having a meal at these eating places dotted around to get a feel of the local vibes.
Hiriketiya Beach or fondly referred to as Hiri is situated just two kilometres to the east of Dickwella and is on a horseshoe-shaped bay offering rolling waves during most months of the year. It is emerging as another attraction drawing visitors to Dickwella as Hiri is a paradise for surf lovers. Whether you are a pro or a novice, there are waves to satisfy or challenge your prowess in riding the swell of waves and taking your skills to the next level. Surfboards can be easily hired at the beach at a reasonable rate. As the waves get busy during mid-morning try to start the day as early as 6 am and be also awed by the gorgeous vision of the sunrise.
There are different modes of transportation you can use to get to Dickwella. A drive-by car from the Colombo international airport can take about 4 to 5 hours. Other options are by train from the Fort Railway station to the Galle highway bus stop and boarding a bus to Matara where buses depart regularly at 15-minute intervals. Once in Matara, a tuk-tuk ride will get you to Dickwella. You can also take a bus from Fort to Tangalle and take a tuk-tuk from there to Dickwella.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
