Hikkaduwa National Park

Hikkaduwa National Park protects the shallow coral reef just offshore from town. On a clear day you can see reef fish, turtles, and coral either by snorkelling or from a glass-bottom boat.

This is fragile, heavily visited reef, so choose operators carefully and do not stand on coral. If visibility is poor, skip the trip rather than forcing a disappointing and damaging outing.

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Hikkaduwa's reef was protected as a marine sanctuary before becoming a national park. It has suffered from coral damage and visitor pressure, so careful snorkelling matters here more than the usual beach-town sales pitch suggests.