Hikkaduwa is situated on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, approximately 17 kilometers northwest of Galle and 100 kilometers south of Colombo. It lies along the road connecting Colombo to Galle, making it easily accessible and thus a highly popular resort destination.
Hikkaduwa's origins trace back to the Portuguese conquest of the area. Initially, it was a small village like many others in British colonial Sri Lanka. The village primarily thrived on fishing, with fishermen settling here. Over time, Hikkaduwa grew into a bustling town, eventually earning the status of a renowned tourist city in the late 20th century.
In 2004, Hikkaduwa's population suffered greatly from the devastating tsunami triggered by the Indian Ocean earthquake. The disaster resulted in numerous casualties and rendered many residents homeless. In a peculiar response, the Sri Lankan government provided sewing machines as compensation to the affected families. A monument commemorating the tsunami stands at the city's entrance, and on the annual Tsunami Memorial Day, locals tie white ribbons on trees to remember the event.
Hikkaduwa has long been recognized as a favored destination for divers. In addition to the iconic Coral Garden, which symbolizes the city, tourists have the opportunity to explore shipwrecks submerged for decades or even centuries. Hikkaduwa's divers are known for their enthusiasm in descending to explore these old shipwrecks themselves.
