Hikkaduwa sits on Sri Lanka's southwest coast, 98 km south of Colombo, with a pool of wrecks and rocks a 15 to 20 minute boat ride offshore and most dives between 14 and 24 m. The Conch, one of the world's first oil tankers, and Goda Gala suit all levels, while the deep Kirala Gala pinnacle draws mantas and whale sharks in the right season. Boats run from October to April, and the coral sanctuary off the beach was Sri Lanka's first marine sanctuary.
About diving in Hikkaduwa
Diving is by day boat. The wrecks and rocks lie a short ride out: Kirala Gala, Goda Gala and the Earl of Shaftsbury wreck are each about 15 minutes away, and the Conch about 20. Close to the beach lies the coral sanctuary of Hikkaduwa National Park, the first marine sanctuary established in Sri Lanka, and touching the corals is not allowed under any circumstances.
The seabed mixes reef formations, rock complexes and hidden underwater caves. On the Conch, parts of the wreck are scattered across the sand while others, including the huge oil tanks, remain where the ship sank; cuttlefish, titan triggerfish and a large grouper living inside the wreck are the highlights there. Hikkaduwa Deep Rock is riddled with small caves and swim-throughs, and the shallow sanctuary off the beach is home to green and hawksbill turtles.
The range of sites suits a mixed group: shallow reefs serve beginners and snorkellers, the Conch wreck is open to all levels, and deeper sites are kept for advanced divers. Divers who like to explore beyond open reef get the caves at Deep Rock. Compact size and easy road access from Colombo and Galle make it simple to fold a few dives into a short beach holiday.
Best time to dive Hikkaduwa
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Fair | Off-season | Off-season | Off-season | Off-season | Prime | Prime | Prime |
The west-coast season runs from October to April; from May to September the main centres dive from Trincomalee instead.
Best months: January, February, March, April, October, November, December
Dive types & marine life
Green and hawksbill turtles in the shallow coral sanctuary off the beach are a near-guaranteed sighting on a snorkel between dives. Mantas and whale sharks cruise past Kirala Gala in the right season.
- Reef
- Wreck
- Cave & cavern
- Manta rays
- Whale sharks
- Sea turtles
- Groupers
- Octopus & cuttlefish
- Reef fish swarms
Best dive sites in Hikkaduwa
- 1
Kirala Gala
Deep pinnacle from 20 m down to 40 m, ringed by soft coral and shoals of fish
- 2
Conch Wreck
One of the world's first oil tankers, dived at 14 to 20 m and suited to all levels
- 3
Goda Gala
Boulder-strewn seabed to 24 m with blue boxfish, morays and lobsters
- 4
Hikkaduwa Deep Rock
Rock riddled with a network of small caves and swim-throughs
- 5
Earl of Shaftsbury Wreck
English ship sunk in 1847, with a maximum depth of 15 m
- 6
Sunil's Rock
Rock site with lionfish, grouper and soft corals
Site guides
Wreck
The huge oil tanks of an 1892 tanker, still lying where she sank
Drift
Blue boxfish, morays and lobsters on a deep drift past the rock
Pinnacle
Mantas and whale sharks passing a soft-coral pinnacle in season
Cave & cavern
Caves set into the sea bed beside the Hikkaduwa coral reef
How to get to Hikkaduwa
The nearest airport is north of Colombo. Hikkaduwa is 98 km (61 mi) south of Colombo and 17 km (11 mi) north-west of Galle, and a taxi or driver from Colombo can be arranged through the accommodation. The dive centres are in Hikkaduwa itself.
Photos from Hikkaduwa
Sendaru Perera · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dive videos
Hikkaduwa Scuba Diving by TravelHut | Sri Lanka | හික්කඩුව · TravelHut on YouTube
Diving a couple dive sites in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka with Dive for you · Panda-Frog on YouTube
Questions divers ask
When is the diving season in Hikkaduwa?+
From October to April. From May to September the main centres move their diving to Trincomalee on the east coast.
Is diving in Hikkaduwa from the shore or by boat?+
By boat. The main sites are a 15 to 20 minute ride out, while the shallow coral sanctuary off the beach is a snorkel between dives.
Can manta rays or whale sharks be seen in Hikkaduwa?+
In the right season they cruise past Kirala Gala, a deep pinnacle that runs from 20 to 40 m.
How do divers get to Hikkaduwa?+
Fly into the airport north of Colombo, then take a taxi or driver 98 km (61 mi) south; Galle is 17 km (11 mi) further on.
Can divers touch the coral in Hikkaduwa?+
No. The coral sanctuary is part of Hikkaduwa National Park, and touching the corals is not allowed under any circumstances.
Sources
- Dive Sites - International Diving School Sri Lanka — International Diving School
- Dive For You — Dive For You
- Dive Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka — Dive Sri Lanka
- Hikkaduwa — Wikipedia
- Hikkaduwa — Wikivoyage
- Hikkaduwa Average Sea Temperatures — SeaTemperature.org
Photo credits
- A blue wooden outrigger canoe among green plants on a sandy beach, with small motor boats moored in the bay beyond. by Sendaru Perera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Embed
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