Snorkel in tropical waters overwhelmed with reef fish – Hikkaduwa

Explore Sri Lanka’s most popular Marine National Park with snorkel gear, and meet the sea creatures of Hikkaduwa – from the pouting Wrasses to algae-riddled turtles!

Snorkeling Hikkaduwa SJ SLDT/1702/SSD03

Why should you book this trip?

Hikkaduwa’s brilliant coral reef and bountiful underwater ecosystem makes it one of the best locations in the country for snorkelling excursions in particular.
Hikkaduwa offers excellent snorkelling opportunities very close to the shore. Just 200m offshore, in shallow waters no more than 4m deep, a reef protects an expanse of brilliant coral which is populated by vividly colourful reef fish.
It is ideal fun and adventure-filled activity for professionals and amateurs alike. You can come and learn snorkelling if you are a beginner while experienced snorkelers can also enjoy Sri Lanka’s tropical waters and its colourful reefs and fish.
There are around 60 species of hard coral along with over 170 species of tropical reef fish in the fringing reef at Hikkaduwa National Park.
Very easy access from the most popular beach resorts. If you are looking for things to do in Hikkaduwa, you’ve come to the right place.

About Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa is a town on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka around 17km away from Galle. It is best known for its gorgeous golden beaches and warm, inviting ocean. The famed Coral Gardens and Telwatte Bird Sanctuary are the main nature attractions of Hikkaduwa which lies 98km from Colombo.

Its beaches and nightlife have made it one of the top tourist destinations in Sri Lanka. It is also a popular destination for ocean-based activities like board surfing, scuba diving and snorkelling.

About snorkelling in Hikkaduwa

We offer you an exclusive snorkelling day tour designed to give you the best possible sub aqua experience. The package provides all essential equipment as well as trained and experienced UDI and PADI instructors.

The best time for snorkelling is between 9 a.m. and 11a.m. when the sun is directly above and visibility is at its peak.

In 1940, the islets of Hikkaduwa were declared sanctuaries and were limited to their land boundaries. In 1998, it was upgraded to the status of a nature reserve and later to a national park. The famous “coral gardens” of Hikkaduwa are a major attraction for tourists who want to dive in and get close to the stunning marine life while glass bottom boats are also available for those who prefer to stay dry.

Hikkaduwa National Park

Hikkaduwa National Park is one of three marine national parks in Sri Lanka and contains a fringing coral reef with a high degree of biodiversity. The growing number of tourists to the area meant an increase in degradation which resulted in the reef being declared a national park in 2002.

There are around 60 species of hard coral along with over 170 species of tropical reef fish in the fringing reef in the Hikkaduwa National Park. Visitors to the reef can find large stands of cabbage-type Montipora corals and small stands of branching Acropora corals. There is also an abundance of boulder type and encrusting corals.

You can also see angel fish, butterfly fish, parrot fish, snapper, wrasses, trevally, and various species of sea turtle.

Feedback

We booked two holidays with this company, one in 2014 and another in August 2017. We had great experiences on both holidays. In 2014 they booked us at a lovely cottage, beautifully located in the hill country with friendly staff and a great naturalist guide. For the recent holiday they put in touch with an excellent diving instructor who runs his own place and both my wife and I enjoyed three days of diving as well as got our PADI diving certificates. All in all, I think that they have a strong focus on finding high quality locations, good guides and other personnel. I would recommend them without hesitation.

Sandeep Mody – India - AUG 15-17

Snorkel in tropical waters overwhelmed with reef fish – Hikkaduwa

Explore Sri Lanka’s most popular Marine National Park with snorkel gear, and meet the sea creatures of Hikkaduwa – from the pouting Wrasses to algae-riddled turtles!

Why should you book this trip?

Included in the price

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About Hikkaduwa

About snorkelling in Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa National Park

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