Do you enjoy watching marine animals, and diving into the deep blue sea? If yes, then you should definitely make sure that you visit the Hikkaduwa National Park in Sri Lanka, one of the only three Marine National Parks in the country. Established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1979 and later upgraded to a nature reserve in the year 1988, the Hikkaduwa National Park is the perfect place for snorkeling and diving due to the shallow fringing reef in this park. If you love the ocean and want to explore this national park, we have all the basic information that you need to know before visiting the Hikkaduwa National Park.
Basic Facts About The Hikkaduwa National Park
Location: Thiranagama, Galle Road, Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka
Opening hours: 7 AM – 6:30 PM
Ticket price: INR 150/-
How To Reach Hikkaduwa National Park
By Air: The two closest airports to Hikkaduwa are the Koggala Domestic Airport (54km) and the Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (115km)
By Road: You can take a cab from Koggala, and from there it is only an hour’s drive till Hikkaduwa.
By Rail: Take the train from Colombo Fort station to Hikkaduwa Station. The journey takes around one and a half hours. The nearest stations to the park are Thiranagama railway station and Kumarkanda Railway station.
Once in the park, you can easily pick up a Hikkaduwa National Park map to find your way around the park.
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Hikkaduwa National Park Weather
The weather in Hikkaduwa is usually warm, sunny, and pleasant. However, the monsoon months are between May-July and then October-January, so preferably avoid going during these months, to enjoy the best of Hikkaduwa’s weather.
Things To Do In Hikkaduwa National Park
Here is the list of the top attractions you can visit and activities you can indulge in inside the Hikkaduwa Park:
1. Snorkeling
Snorkeling in Hikkaduwa national park is one of the most popular activities in Sri Lanka. The reefs of this beautiful park are extremely rich in biodiversity, and they house over 170 different species of fish, along with other marine species such as crabs, oysters, shrimps as well as prawns. This is your chance to get up close to these sea creatures and watch how they live in their natural habitat. This is surely a fun-filled experience for the family of all ages, whether you’re traveling with young kids or with senior citizens.
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2. Scuba diving
If you love the ocean and everything about it, you simply can’t miss out on going scuba diving in the Hikkaduwa National Park, which is filled with so much marine biodiversity, and such beautiful coral reefs. You can get to know some Hikkaduwa coral reef information before your dive, so that you can better identify the different types of coral reefs found underwater, as well as get to swim along with the thousands of fishes that reside in the park.
3. Glass bottom boat tour
For those of you who are not up for swimming or diving into the water, but still want to explore and admire the beautiful coral reefs of the park, the Hikkaduwa coral gardens boat trip was made just for you. Not only can you get the best possible view of the corals from the glass bottom boats, but you don’t have to step out of your comfort zone and get into the water. Another plus point of taking a glass bottom boat is that you get to get a complete tour of the park while you do it!
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Hikkaduwa National Park Accommodation
If you’re looking for an accommodation option not far off from the park, here are some options for you to consider:
1. Citrus Hikkaduwa
This is a very sophisticated and suave hotel in Hikkaduwa, facing the Laccadive Sea and offering some of the most comfortable amenities such as flat-screen TVs in all the rooms, as well as balconies, and coffee making machines. The hotel is also located close to the Hikkaduwa train station and is among the best in sri lanka.
Location: 400 Galle Rd, Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka
Price per night: INR 4,500
Distance from Hikkaduwa National Park: 1 km
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2. Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon
This luxury hotel is set up very close to the beach and has all the top amenities you could ever need, like being pet-friendly, offering air conditioning and wifi connectivity in every room, as well as an outdoor swimming pool and some restaurants within the hotel premises. With facilities like these, you might not even want to leave the hotel!
Location: A2, Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka
Price per night: INR 13,500
Distance from Hikkaduwa National Park: 500 m
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3. Avenra Beach Hikkaduwa
This extremely child-friendly and comfortable hotel is perfect for your family vacation. With other luxurious amenities like air-conditioned rooms, wifi in every room, laundry services and excellent room service, you will definitely cherish your stay in this hotel.
Location: Narigama, Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka, Hikkaduwa 80240, Sri Lanka
Price per night: INR 7,500
Distance from Hikkaduwa National Park: 1.8 km
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Hikkaduwa National Park
Still confused? See if any of these common questions answer your queries:
Are camping facilities available in the Hikkaduwa National Park?
A. There are no camping facilities inside the park, but you can take a day safari tour of the Hikkaduwa National Park.
What is the weather in the Hikkaduwa National Park during the winter season?
A. The winter season is dry and sunny and is one of the most pleasant times to visit the Hikkaduwa National Park.
Will children enjoy the Hikkaduwa National Park?
A. Yes, people of all ages will find it interesting to explore the park and its vast marine life.
Is it safe to go snorkeling in the Hikkaduwa National Park?
A. Yes, it is completely safe to go snorkeling and scuba diving in the park, and you will be guided by trained professionals.
How many species of marine life can one find at the Hikkaduwa National Park?
A. In the Hikkaduwa National Park, you can find over 170 different species of fish. Apart from fish, there are also other marine creatures such as crabs, prawns, oysters, and shrimps.
Further Read: 13 Things To Do In Hikkaduwa To Make Your Trip Worthwhile!
Hikkaduwa is a haven for all those who love nature and want to learn more about the ocean and the vast marine life that inhabits it. If you’re intrigued by the Hikkaduwa National Park, book your trip to Sri Lanka right away and turn your dream into a reality!
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