Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa, located 98 km south of Colombo and 17 km northwest of Galle, stands as Sri Lanka's first established marine sanctuary and most renowned surf destination. This coastal town gained international recognition in the 1960s when hippies nicknamed it 'Hippiduwa,' transforming it from a quiet fishing village into a legendary beach destination. Hikkaduwa National Park, declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1979 and upgraded to national park status in 2002, protects a spectacular fringing coral reef system extending 4 km along the coast. The reef, with an average depth of 5 meters, hosts 60 coral species, over 170 reef fish species, and serves as habitat for three endangered sea turtle species. Arthur C. Clarke, the famous science fiction writer who lived here, played a key role in convincing the government to establish marine protection. The town is divided into three distinct areas: the local town with infrastructure, the vibrant tourist zone with hotels and restaurants, and upscale Thiranagama area featuring luxury accommodations.