Things to do in Hikkaduwa & Around
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Coral Sanctuary
Hikkaduwa’s overexploited ‘coral sanctuary’ stretches out from the string of ‘Coral’ hotels at the north end of the strip to a group of rocks a couple of hundred metres offshore. You can swim out to the rocks from the Coral Gardens Hotel, where the reef runs straight out from the shore. The water over the reef is never more than 3m or 4m deep. Once upon a time this was a magnificent garden of fishy colours and flowering corals, but today the reef is sadly a shadow of its former self with much of the coral dying and the fish flipping away to more pristine spots. One of the big reasons for this demise has been coral bleaching, caused by oceanic and atmospheric conditions (q…
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Moonstone Mines
Have you ever wondered where that pretty little moonstone on your finger actually comes from? Head inland 7km to Mitiyagoda and you can descend (not literally) into the mucky world of mining – 18th-century style! Moonstone has been mined in these sweltering forests forever and the moonstone mines, little more than muddy rabbit holes, 6m or 7m long, are fascinating – as is the process of filtering out the precious stones, cutting them up and polishing them up ready for sale. Entrance is free, but expect a hardcore sales pitch in the on-site shop afterwards. To get there head towards Kahawa and turn inland to Mitiyagoda after which it’s clearly signed.
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Seenigama Vihara
About 2km north of Hikkaduwa is the Seenigama Vihara, perched on its own island. It’s one of only two temples in the country where victims of theft can seek retribution. People who have been robbed visit the temple and buy a specially prepared oil made with chilli and pepper. With the oil they light a lamp in their homes and recite a mantra. Sooner or later, maybe within weeks, the thief will be identified when they’re struck down with misfortune, such as having a bicycle accident or being hit on the head by a falling coconut.
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Cool Spot
This family-run place has been serving up fresh seafood from a sky-blue vintage roadside house at the north end of the strip since 1972. There’s a cool veranda where you can peruse the blackboard menu and delight in specialities, such as garlic prawns and the bulging seafood platter. It’s someway north of the main independent tourist strip.
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Poseidon Diving Station
The diving season runs from November to April. Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) courses (open water from €165, advanced for €185), plus a selection of dives such as wreck dives, night dives and trips for those who just want to try out diving, are available from Poseidon Diving Station.
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Chill Space Café
This almost comically surf, fashion-obsessed beachside cafe, which is situated in front of the A Frame Surf Shop, features reasonable shakes, snacks, seafood and more, but basically you’re paying for the atmosphere more than anything else. There are free beach chairs and occasional live music at night.
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Moon Beam Restaurant
This hotel (left) has easily the most attractive restaurant on the beach. It has a salty, open-air nautical decor, and tables where you can curl your toes in the sand. The seafood is truly excellent and it’s also a good place for a sunset drink.
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Rotty Restaurant
Start off with a cheese-and-bacon rotti (doughy pancake), wrap it up with a pineapple- and-banana rotti, and wash it all down with a mango juice at this simple and friendly place. It also does an excellent rice and curry for Rs 100.
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Roti Restaurant
Away from the beach and a whole world away from the beach restaurant scene, this hole in the wall right on the road sells over 60 kinds of rotti, ranging from garlic chicken to banana. There are also fresh shakes and lassis.
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Gangarama Maha Vihara
This is an interesting Buddhist temple that has lots of popular educational paintings that are the work of one man over nearly a decade. The monks are happy to show you around. It's just off Baddegama Rd.
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Hikkaduwa Lake
Hikkaduwa Lake is home to monitor lizards and a lot of birdlife. Boat tours can sometimes be organised on the lake; ask around. It's along Baddegama Rd about 2km from the Gangarama Maha Vihara.
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Apsara Tailors
A good buy here is a pair of made-to-measure surfing board shorts (for men or women). We were very impressed with the stitch work of this place. In reality, the opening hours are flexible.
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Sam’s Surfers
A laid-back bar that shows recent movies every night at 7.30pm. It’s very much a Brits-and-Aussies-abroad kind of place but is popular all the same.
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Coffee Shop
Real Italian coffees, including hangover-busting espressos (Rs 150), give a pre-surf morning boost at this fashionable cafe.
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Lucky Dolphin
Lucky Dolphin, a guest house in Narigama, rents out kitesurfing gear and offers lessons (four hours for US$50).
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A Frame Surf Shop
A Frame Surf Shop, located in A Frame Surf Shop guest house (opposite), repairs boards and has a selection of surfing gear. It rents out a variety of boards from Rs 600 per day. It also offers surfing tours throughout the island under the moniker ‘Mambo Surf Tours’.
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