| Welcome to Hikkaduwa |
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| Hikkaduwa (98km south of Colombo on the west coast) appears to have been an early tourist destination in Ceylon, for J. W. Bennett reported in 1843 that it is most pleasantly situated, and a great resort of picnic parties from Galle”.
Traditionally associated with the cultivation of coconuts, rice and cinnamon, plumbago mining, and the manufacture of lace and drum frames, Hikkaduwa has emerged as a |
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modern destination for sun-seekers and
wave-worshippers. There is only one town by the sea that can boast of some of the best
surfing waves in Sri Lanka, a long stretch of beach packed with restaurants serving
deliciously fresh seafood, an equally long stretch of souvenir shops for the serious
shopper, and guesthouses and hotels galore,from the cheap and cheerful to star-class.
Many who visit Hikkaduwa are just sun worshippers, sea worshippers or wave worshippers.
However, with a long stretch of sand for soaking up the sun, a number of wrecks and coral
reefs underwater for divers, it is at its best for diving and snorkelling from November
to March when the visibility is generally good. Hikkaduwa’s Coral Sanctuary, established
in 1988, ensures the underwater world is accessible to all whether they can dive or not.
Snorkelling in the shallow waters only 200m off shore is possible, and although the corals
are dead in some places you can still come across a number of brightly-coloured fish as you
float a few metres above. The less adventurous can always take a glass-bottomed boat ride,
though this is environmentally questionable due to the pollution and negative effects on
the already depleted corals. |
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