Where to Stay in Hiriketiya: Areas, Tips & Our Guest House
Planning a trip to Hiriketiya (Hirikatiya)? Compare the best areas to stay, what to look for in accommodation, and why a quiet guest house near the beach works best.
Read the guide →12 Best Things to Do in and Around Hiriketiya, Sri Lanka
From surfing the bay to giant Buddha statues, blowholes, turtle beaches and whale watching: the best things to do in Hiriketiya and nearby on the south coast.
Hiriketiya is small, but there’s plenty to fill a week here, both in the bay and along the coast around it. These are the experiences our guests love most, starting on the beach and working outward.
In Hiriketiya
1. Learn to surf (or improve)
The bay’s gentle beach break is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to catch your first wave. Lessons run every morning in season. Read our Hiriketiya surf guide for seasons, breaks and tips.
2. Swim, snorkel and paddleboard
On calm days the water in the bay is clear and warm, which makes it great for a swim or a paddleboard session. Stand-up paddleboards and snorkel gear can be rented on the beach.
3. Watch the sunset from the hill
Walk up the headland at the side of the bay in the late afternoon. From there you can look down over the horseshoe of sand, the surfers and the palm trees, which makes it the classic Hiriketiya photo spot.
4. Eat your way around the bay
For such a small place, Hiriketiya has a surprisingly good food scene. You’ll find specialty coffee, smoothie bowls, wood-fired pizza and fresh seafood. Make sure you also try a proper Sri Lankan rice and curry or a plate of kottu at a local spot in Dikwella.
5. Practise yoga
Several studios and shalas around the bay run daily drop-in yoga classes. A morning class is a lovely way to start the day, and an evening one is perfect for sore surf shoulders.
Nearby day trips
6. Wewurukannala Vihara (Dikwella)
A few minutes from the bay, this temple is home to one of the largest seated Buddha statues in Sri Lanka. Inside the temple complex are colourful murals and a tableau hall. Dress respectfully: cover your shoulders and knees, and take off your shoes and hat.
7. Hummanaya Blowhole
At Kudawella, a short drive east, seawater is forced through a rock chimney and shoots high into the air. It’s most dramatic when the sea is rough, usually during the southwest monsoon (roughly May to September).
8. Blue Beach Island (Nilwella)
A tiny island just off the beach at Nilwella, close to Dikwella. On calm days you can wade or swim across. Bring snacks and water, and go early to avoid the crowds.
9. Turtle watching at Rekawa
Near Tangalle, the beach at Rekawa is an important nesting site for sea turtles. Community conservation projects run guided night-time turtle watching tours. Choose a responsible operator that keeps groups small and bans flash photography.
10. Mulkirigala Rock Temple
An ancient cave temple complex built into a huge rock inland from Tangalle. It’s a steep climb, but the painted caves and the views over the jungle are worth it. Go early in the morning while it’s cooler.
11. Whale watching from Mirissa
From about November to April, boats leave Mirissa harbour early in the morning to look for blue whales, dolphins and sperm whales. Mirissa is roughly 45 minutes from Hiriketiya, so you’ll need an early start. We can arrange a driver for you.
12. Safari at Udawalawe National Park
For a full day out, head inland to Udawalawe, which is famous for its large herds of wild elephants. Most visitors leave before dawn and take an afternoon jeep safari. Allow about two hours’ drive each way.
Getting around
Tuk-tuks are the easiest way to get around locally. For longer day trips, a private car with a driver is comfortable and good value, especially when you share it with friends. We can arrange tuk-tuks, drivers and tours for our guests, so just ask when you book direct.