Overview
About 20km northwest of Galle, Hikkaduwa is a beach town famous for its coral reef waters, designated Sri Lanka's first marine national park, making it a hotspot for snorkeling and diving. Glass-bottom boats glide over the reef revealing colorful tropical fish, and the shallow waters allow swimming alongside wild sea turtles. Surf spots and a beach nightlife scene also make it popular with younger travelers. About 30 minutes by car from Galle.
Travel Tips
Keep your distance and don't touch the turtles while swimming with them. Glass-bottom boat tours have the best visibility in the morning.
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🇰🇷 Tips for Korean Travelers
Practical info for Korean travelers heading to Galle, Sri Lanka from Seoul (ICN).
Korean Passport · Visa
Check visa rules for Sri Lanka on the Korean MOFA travel advisory site before flying — visa-free, visa-on-arrival or e-visa rules change often. Keep at least 6 months of passport validity.
Flight from Incheon (ICN)
Compare direct and connecting flights from Incheon (ICN) to Galle on Skyscanner or Google Flights. Early-morning departures from Korea are usually the cheapest option.
KRW ↔ Local Currency
Check the live FX widget above for the latest KRW rate. Korean travel cards like Travel Wallet, Hana EZ and Toss FX offer free local ATM withdrawals and competitive rates.
Korean Community · Korean Food
Many cities have an active Korean community in Galle with Korean restaurants, mini-marts, and Korean-speaking guides. Search Naver Cafe or KakaoTalk open chats for "Galle 한인" before you go.
Attractions near Hikkaduwa
Tap a pin on the map to jump to that attraction.
Maritime Museum
A maritime museum in a 1671 Dutch warehouse, showcasing the colonial trade history.
📍 17.6km away
Galle National Museum
A regional museum housed in the oldest surviving Dutch building in Galle Fort.
📍 17.8km away
Pedlar Street (Fort Boutiques)
A colonial-era street inside Galle Fort lined with boutiques and cafes.
📍 17.9km away
Amangalla
A legendary hotel inside Galle Fort, converted from a 17th-century Dutch governor's residence.
📍 17.9km away
All Saints' Church, Galle
An Anglican church from the British colonial era, located inside Galle Fort.
📍 18.0km away
Dutch Reformed Church
A Dutch colonial church inside Galle Fort, built in 1755.
📍 18.0km away
Galle Lighthouse
A white lighthouse at the fort's tip, a beloved photo spot framed by the Indian Ocean.
📍 18.1km away
Meeran Jumma Mosque
A white-facaded mosque located within Galle Fort, commonly known as Galle Fort Mosque.
📍 18.3km away
Closenberg Hotel
A colonial-style heritage hotel perched on a promontory overlooking Galle Harbour.
📍 19.1km away
Unawatuna Beach
A crescent-shaped beach near Galle, popular for snorkeling and swimming.
📍 22.0km away
Things to Do in Galle
Galle Fort Walking Tour
Walking tour with a licensed guide covering the 16th-century Portuguese-Dutch ramparts, Dutch Reformed Church, lighthouse, Maritime Museum, and boutique streets of Galle Fort over about 2 hours.
Rampart Sunset Walk
Free 2 km sunset walk along Galle Fort's ramparts to the lighthouse, with the Indian Ocean glowing gold and local kids playing cricket along the way.
Unawatuna Snorkeling & Turtle Encounter
Boat snorkeling tour from Unawatuna Beach to encounter coral reefs and sea turtles. Gear included, with seasonal visits to a turtle conservation center.