Hikkaduwa beach - is the snorkelling still good and how does it compare to Mirissa and Unawatuna?

I live in Galle which is 20km from Hikkaduwa so I know it well and visit regularly. Here is the honest comparison.

The snorkelling: the Hikkaduwa coral sanctuary has been partially damaged by coral bleaching events over the years, but there is still living coral and it is more than worth snorkelling if you are not coming with high expectations of pristine untouched reef. The inshore reef is shallow and calm and you will see sea turtles almost certainly - they feed in the seagrass beds just offshore and they are habituated to people. The turtles are the highlight. You can swim with them at a respectful distance without touching them, and the closer interaction than you would typically get at a typical reef is what brings people back.

The coral: colourful fish, some coral in good condition especially on the outer edges of the sanctuary, and the turtles. If you are comparing to Pigeon Island near Trincomalee or the Maldives, you will find it lower quality. If you are comparing to most other Sri Lanka snorkelling options, it is the best on the west coast.

The surf: Hikkaduwa has a left-hand reef break that is intermediate level - not ideal for beginners. The beach break closer to shore is where beginners learn. There are surf schools operating year round but this is not the cleanest beach break for learning. Weligama is genuinely better for complete beginners.

The town: Hikkaduwa has a proper town character that Mirissa lacks. There are shops, local restaurants, a busy main road, and a real community feeling alongside the tourist strip. It is more backpacker in character than Unawatuna and less resort than Bentota. Budget rooms are genuinely affordable here.

Vs Mirissa and Unawatuna: Mirissa is better for whale watching and has a prettier beach at the southern end. Unawatuna is better for safe swimming (more sheltered bay) and is closest to Galle. Hikkaduwa has the best snorkelling on the west coast and the most consistent surf. For a diver who wants snorkelling and a town with some life, Hikkaduwa wins. For a beach holiday with calm swimming, Unawatuna or Mirissa win.

Best area to stay: the beach road north of the main Hikkaduwa junction has more budget options and is closer to the coral sanctuary. The southern end near the Narigama area is slightly quieter. The main road is noisy all day - rooms set back from it are worth looking for.