If you’ve ever wanted to swim in the ocean with massive sea turtles, then Hikkaduwa is the place to do it.
Right from the shore in town, you can easily spot many sea turtles just hanging out in the water. They aren’t scared of people and often swim right up to you!
The Tsunami Museum is one of the best free things to do in Hikkaduwa. It is located just outside of the town, about a 10-minute drive from the town center.
Near the Tsunami Museum is the “Big Buddha”. You simply can’t miss it as it is a very large Buddha statue on the side of the road. The first time we simply drove by and thought “oh cool.” But then the lady at our hotel told us we needed to go back and actually check it out, so we did.
There is an abundance of seafood available in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka and there are also a ton of great (and affordable) restaurants to eat at! This makes Hikkaduwa the perfect place to try some fresh seafood. Everything from fish, crab, and lobster is available and it is pretty reasonably priced.
North of Hikkaduwa is the Madu River. Going on a river safari is one of the most popular activities in Hikkaduwa.
Tours will pick you up in Hikkaduwa town and take you out to the river’s edge where you’ll board a boat. Your guide will talk about the river, the area, and any animals you see along the way. Expect to see crocodiles and monkeys! You will also get the chance to try some fresh local fruit.
Take a day trip out to Galle (21 kilometers away ) and check out the Galle Fort! There is a great tour available which will take you to the Galle Fort from Hikkaduwa as well as visit a tea factory!
The Galle Fort is a UNESCO world heritage site and a beautiful place to explore especially if you love history. Entrance to the fort is free however you must pay $5 USD to visit the museum.