Hikkaduwa National Park (Coral Reefs)

RATE THIS LOCATION : 1 Star

(2 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)

hikkaduwa national park — photo licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0 by Dhammika Heenpella

Size	102 hectares
Main attractions	Corral and Reef Fish

Hikkaduwa, a lively coastal town on Sri Lanka’s southwestern shoreline, is internationally known for its shallow-water coral gardens. The reef forms part of Hikkaduwa National Park, one of the most accessible marine sanctuaries in the country, where vibrant marine life can be observed only a few meters from the beach.

Location and Access

Hikkaduwa lies approximately 100 kilometers (about 62 miles) south of Colombo. The town can be reached via the Southern Expressway in about 1.5–2 hours by road or by the scenic coastal railway line, which runs along the edge of the Indian Ocean.

The coral reef is extremely easy to access. Most coral formations lie directly within the boundaries of Hikkaduwa National Park, just offshore from the main strip of hotels and guesthouses. In many places visitors can simply walk into the water from the beach and immediately encounter schools of tropical fish.

Marine Biodiversity

The reef at Hikkaduwa is a fringing coral reef with considerable biodiversity. Over the years, coral bleaching has affected certain sections, but ongoing restoration initiatives aim to rehabilitate the damaged areas.

The reef contains various coral formations, including foliose corals, commonly known as cabbage corals, and several branching coral species. The waters are also home to more than 170 species of reef fish. Among the most frequently observed are brightly colored parrotfish, butterflyfish, Moorish idols, and honeycomb moray eels.

The area is particularly renowned for its resident green sea turtles, which are often seen swimming close to the shore, especially near the well-known “Turtle Point.”

For scuba divers, nearby shipwrecks such as the Conch oil tanker and the Earl of Shaftesbury provide additional underwater attractions located a short boat ride away from the main reef.

Activities Around the Reef

Beyond snorkeling and diving, the surroundings of Hikkaduwa offer numerous activities for visitors. The beachfront is lined with restaurants and cafés where fresh seafood is served directly on the sand. Just south of the reef lies the popular Hikkaduwa Surf Break, known for its consistent waves and relaxed surf schools.

Glass-bottom boat tours operate regularly from the beach, providing an option for visitors who wish to observe the reef without entering the water. A number of sea turtle conservation hatcheries can also be visited nearby at Kosgoda and Peraliya, while the Tsunami Museum at Telwatta documents the devastating impact of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami along this coastline.

Historical Development of the Marine Park

The origins of marine protection in the area date back to 1940, when the rocky islets off Ambalangoda and Hikkaduwa were first declared sanctuaries to protect seabirds nesting on these islands.

In 1961, approximately 44.5 hectares (110 acres) of territorial waters off Hikkaduwa were placed under protection through the Fisheries Ordinance. Later, in 1979, the Hikkaduwa Marine Sanctuary was officially gazetted under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance. In 1998 the sanctuary was upgraded to a nature reserve and subsequently declared a national park. Today, Hikkaduwa National Park remains one of only two marine national parks in Sri Lanka.

The primary objective of the park is the conservation of coral reef ecosystems. However, human activities along the beaches continue to exert pressure on the reef. A severe coral bleaching event associated with the 1998 El Niño drastically reduced live coral cover from about 47 percent to roughly 13 percent.

Hikkaduwa Coral Reef Ticket Prices (Entrance Fees)

At present there is no official government entrance fee to view the coral reefs of Hikkaduwa. Visitors typically hire glass-bottom boats or rent snorkeling and diving equipment from nearby beach hotels and dive operators.

Prices for glass-bottom boat rides are not officially regulated, and around eight to ten people can usually travel in a single boat. It is advisable to compare prices before hiring a boat, as negotiation is often possible. Visitors should also deal directly with boat owners or equipment providers, since middlemen operating along the beach may charge significantly higher prices.

Also See

Map of Hikkaduwa National Park (Coral Reefs) and Other Places of Interest

Click on the button below to load the Dynamic Google Map

Show Location on Google Maps

The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites

Zoom out the map to see more surrounding locations using the mouse scroll wheel or map controls.