Do you love watching sea animals and diving into the deep blue sea? If yes, then you should definitely make sure that you visit Hikkaduwa National Park in Sri Lanka, one of 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, Hikkaduwa National Park is an ideal place for snorkeling and diving due to the shallow fringing reef in this park. If you love the sea and want to visit this national park, we have all the basic information you need to know before visiting Hikkaduwa National Park.
Basic facts about Hikkaduwa National Park
Place: Thiranagama, Galle Road, Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka
opening time: 7 am – 6:30 pm
ticket price: INR 150/-
How to reach Hikkaduwa National Park?
By air: The two nearest airports to Hikkaduwa are Koggala Domestic Airport (54 km) and Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (115 km).
by road: You can take a cab from Koggala and from there it is only an hour’s drive to Hikkaduwa.
by rail: Take a train from Colombo Fort Station to Hikkaduwa Station. The journey takes approximately one and a half hours. The nearest stations to the park are Thiranagama Railway Station and Kumarakanda Railway Station.
Once in the park, you can easily pick up a map of Hikkaduwa National Park to find your way around the park.
Hikkaduwa National Park Weather
The weather in Hikkaduwa is generally warm, sunny and pleasant. However, the monsoon months are between May-July and then October-January, so avoid visiting during these months to enjoy the best weather of Hikkaduwa.
Things to do in Hikkaduwa National Park
Here is a list of the top attractions you can visit and activities you can enjoy inside 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 contain over 170 different species of fish as well as other marine species such as crabs, oysters, shrimp and prawns. This is your chance to get up close to these sea creatures and see how they live in their natural habitat. This is definitely a fun experience for families of all ages, whether you are traveling with small children or senior citizens.
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2. scuba diving
If you love the sea and everything about it, you cannot miss scuba diving in Hikkaduwa National Park, which is full of so much marine biodiversity and so many beautiful coral reefs. You can get some information about the Hikkaduwa coral reef before your dive, so you can better identify the different types of coral reefs found underwater, as well as swim with the thousands of fish that live in the park. Can also get a chance.
3. Glass Bottom Boat Tour
For those of you who are not ready to swim or dive into the water, but still want to explore and admire the beautiful coral reefs of the park, the Hikkaduwa Coral Garden Boat Tour was made just for you. Not only can you get the best possible view of the corals from glass-bottom boats, but you don’t even have to step out of your comfort zone and get into the water. Another plus point of taking the glass bottom boat is that you get a full tour of the park when doing so!
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Hikkaduwa National Park Accommodation
If you’re looking for accommodation options not far from the park, here are some options for you to consider:
1. Citrus Hikkaduwa
This is a very sophisticated and suave hotel in Hikkaduwa, overlooking the Lakshadweep Sea and offering some of the most relaxing amenities like flat-screen TVs in all rooms, as well as balconies and coffee makers. This hotel is located close to Hikkaduwa Train Station and is one of the best in Sri Lanka.
Place: 400 Galle Road, Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka
Price per night: INR 4,500
Distance from Hikkaduwa National Park: 1 km
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2. Translate by Cinnamon
This luxury hotel is set very close to the beach and has all the top amenities you could ever need, such as being pet-friendly, featuring air conditioning and WiFi connectivity in every room, as well as a Outdoor swimming pool and a few restaurants inside. Hotel complex. With amenities like this, you might not even want to leave the hotel!
Place: A2, Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka
Price per night: Rs 13,500
Distance from Hikkaduwa National Park: 500m
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3. Avenara Beach Hikkaduwa
This extremely child-friendly and comfortable hotel is perfect for your family holiday. With other great amenities like air-conditioned rooms, WiFi in every room, laundry service and excellent room service, you will definitely love your stay at this hotel.
Place: Narigama, Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka, Hikkaduwa 80240, Sri Lanka
Price per night: Rs 7,500
Distance from Hikkaduwa National Park: 1.8 km
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Frequently Asked Questions about Hikkaduwa National Park
still confused? See if any of these FAQs answer your questions:
Are camping facilities available in Hikkaduwa National Park?
One. There are no camping facilities inside the park, but you can take a day safari trip to Hikkaduwa National Park.
What is the weather like in Hikkaduwa National Park during the winter season?
One. The winter season is dry and sunny and is one of the most pleasant times to visit Hikkaduwa National Park.
Will kids enjoy Hikkaduwa National Park?
One. 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 Hikkaduwa National Park?
One. 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 be found in Hikkaduwa National Park?
One. In Hikkaduwa National Park, you can find over 170 different species of fish. Apart from fishes, there are also other sea creatures like crabs, prawns, oysters and prawns.
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Hikkaduwa is a paradise for all those who love nature and want to know more about the ocean and the vast marine life that inhabit it. If you are interested in Hikkaduwa National Park, book your trip to Sri Lanka immediately and turn your dream into reality!
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