The reef-fringed town that has been drawing snorkellers and divers to the southwest coast for decades – the Hikkaduwa National Park’s coral system supports marine turtles, parrotfish, and reef biodiversity in warm, accessible water alongside a beach town of genuine social energy and a consistent beginner surf break. Hikkaduwa works as a base, a half-day, or a full coastal immersion depending on what you need from it.