Is snorkeling in Hikkaduwa National Park still good?

Asked 10 days agoSeen by 3,914 travellers13 found this helpful
C
Carmen Ruiz46395 rep2
asked 10 days ago

I heard the coral in Hikkaduwa was destroyed. Is it still worth snorkeling off the beach there to see turtles and fish?

13
asked 10 days ago
C
Carmen Ruiz46395 rep2

3 Answers from travellers

Accepted Answer

The shallow hard corals were mostly destroyed by the 2004 tsunami and subsequent El Nino warming events. It is mostly dead coral rubble now. HOWEVER, there are still hundreds of colorful reef fish, and massive sea turtles swim right up to the beach. So for fish and turtles, yes, but don't expect bright, living coral.

19
answered 10 days ago
S
Sunil Jayawardena318410 rep1

Go very early (7 AM) before the glass-bottom boats start churning up the sand. The turtles are right in the shallows.

44
answered 10 days ago
A
Anna Williams58390 rep2

Just be careful not to stand on the dead coral. It is still sharp and sea urchins hide in the cracks.

16
answered 10 days ago
M
Marco Rossi65925 rep2

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