dive · Southern
Hikkaduwa Coral Sanctuary — Galle
Cover photo: NEOM (Unsplash)
- District
- Galle
- Province
- Southern
- Best for
- Divers and marine-life fans; turtle spotting, coral and dive courses
About this place
Marine sanctuary town about 20 km north of Galle with glass-bottom boats, snorkelling and PADI dive shops. Boat trips run roughly 2,000-4,000 LKR per person; dives extra. Go November-April for clear water; ask the boat price and route before boarding.
Visitor brief
Good to know before you go
- Go November-April for clear water; seas are rough and visibility poor in monsoon months.
- Glass-bottom boats suit non-swimmers and children; snorkellers and divers go with licensed shops.
- Ask the boat price, duration and route before boarding; confirm what the fee includes.
- Do not stand on or touch coral; fins and careless boats have already damaged sections.
- Turtles are wild: do not touch, chase or feed them.
How to travel there
Hikkaduwa town on the Galle-Colombo coast road and rail line (~20 km north of Galle, ~2 hrs by train/bus from Colombo). Boats leave from the beach in front of the sanctuary.
Where to stay
Hikkaduwa beach strip (dive resorts, mid-range hotels and party hostels) or quieter Thiranagama just south.
Nearby places
Hikkaduwa Beach surf strip, Tsunami Museum (Peraliya/Seenigama area), Kosgoda turtle hatcheries (north along the coast), Galle Fort (day trip south)
Scams to watch for
- Unlicensed boatmen misrepresenting trip length and snorkelling spots; use the ticketed counter boats or reputable dive shops.
- Captive-turtle 'hatcheries' along this coast charging to handle turtles; prefer observation-only operators.
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