Beach town in Southern Province, Sri Lanka
Hikkaduwa for solo travelers
Is Hikkaduwa good for solo travel?
Southwest coast strip with reef snorkeling, turtles, surf and cheap guesthouses. Easy and social for beach days; the main road is noisy and the beach crowded in high season.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Widely spoken |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women on the main strip. Watch drinks in bars and avoid empty beach stretches after dark. |
How to meet people in Hikkaduwa
Surf lessons, dive and snorkel trips, hostels with group nights, beach bars on Narigama, and yoga classes.
Good things to do alone
- Snorkel the reef and spot turtles
- Learn to surf at Narigama
- Visit the Tsunami Photo Museum
- Join a Madu river safari
- Watch sunset from Hikkaduwa beach
Where to stay in Hikkaduwa
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Main beach and Galle Road | Hostels, bars, restaurants, dive shops and surf |
| Narigama | Surf breaks, cafés and laid-back guesthouses |
| Thiranagama and Peraliya | Quieter stays north of the main strip |
Solo travel across Sri Lanka
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ella | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Kandy | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Galle | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Mirissa | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Weligama | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Arugam Bay | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Unawatuna | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Hikkaduwa | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Ahangama | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Hiriketiya | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Colombo | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Sigiriya | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Nuwara Eliya | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Negombo | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Trincomalee | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Bentota | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Tangalle | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Jaffna | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
Quick answers
Is Hikkaduwa good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Southwest coast strip with reef snorkeling, turtles, surf and cheap guesthouses.
How do you meet people in Hikkaduwa?
Surf lessons, dive and snorkel trips, hostels with group nights, beach bars on Narigama, and yoga classes. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Hikkaduwa?
Widely spoken.
Is Hikkaduwa safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women on the main strip. Watch drinks in bars and avoid empty beach stretches after dark.
More about Hikkaduwa
Going to Hikkaduwa solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Hikkaduwa meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.