Hikkaduwa is among the most developed of Sri Lanka’s coastal fishing towns – not only that, it is undoubtedly the most popular one among tourists as well! The area is renowned as a amazing destination for snorkelling and scuba diving as well as its lively nightlife scene. But more than anything, it’s Hikkaduwa’s waves that have garnered the most fame for creating the perfect surfing paradise in the island.
There are many surfing spots to choose from in Hikkaduwa for surfing. If you’re a beginner, Beach Break is probably where you want to head. Here the water is relatively calm, the rapids aren’t too challenging and the shore is at a safe distance. If you’re more of an intermediary or journeyman surfer, consider the Main Reef or the North Jetty. Both of these locations offer a good variety in waves and can prove to be a fun challenge to master. Finally, for all you surfing professionals, grab your board and head on over to Bennys. This path of ocean regularly sees gigantic waves exceedingly over 6 feet in height – it’s the ultimate surfing challenge Hikkaduwa has to offer.
Hikkaduwa has the added benefit of not being all that crowded. Now, this wasn’t always the case as the regions beaches and waters were once full of thrill seekers and vacationers – as recently as half a decade ago. The main reason for this is how developed the Southern Coast of the island has been developed in those few years. Beaches like Unawatuna are fast surpassing Hikkaduwa in popularity, both as a resort town and as a location for water sports. That’s not to say you should avoid Hikkaduwa too! With the crowds slowly dissipating, you can take it easy and revel in the beauty of Hikka in relaxing seclusion.
Now, if you’re an absolute beginner when it comes to surfing, you’ll be delighted to know that Hikkaduwa has quite a few surf schools in operation. In fact, it isn’t an uncommon sight to see instructors teaching tourists who are fumbling with their surfboards out in the water. These local surfing aficionados will help you get the basics right, like how to balance yourself on the board and pointers on identifying the perfect wave to ride.
