Hikkaduwa vs Unawatuna for snorkeling — which is better and is the coral still alive?

Honest assessment of south coast snorkeling in 2025:

Hikkaduwa coral reef:
- The reef is partially recovering but nowhere near its pre-1998 condition
- Inner reef (50–100m offshore): mostly dead coral rubble with some new growth and decent fish life — turtles are the highlight
- Outer reef (200–300m, requires a boat): better coral health, good visibility on calm days
- Visibility: 5–10m on a clear day, drops after rain
- Marine life: sea turtles are reliable (they feed on the reef daily), surgeonfish, parrotfish, occasional reef sharks

Unawatuna:
- Snorkeling is off Japanese Garden rock (accessible by swimming from the beach)
- Coral coverage is sparse but the fish diversity is actually better than Hikkaduwa's inner reef
- Clearer water generally because fewer boat engines nearby
- Also good turtle sightings

Lesser-known alternative — Pigeon Island, Trincomalee:
- Best snorkeling in Sri Lanka, full stop
- Hard coral coverage is 40–60% (remarkable by Sri Lankan standards)
- Blacktip reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse, large sea turtles
- Only accessible March–October (east coast season)
- If you can adjust your itinerary to include Trinco, this is worth it

South coast verdict: For a purely snorkeling-focused trip, neither Hikkaduwa nor Unawatuna will blow you away compared to, say, Thailand or the Maldives. Go in with realistic expectations, enjoy the turtles, and consider renting a glass-bottom boat at Hikkaduwa to reach the outer reef.