Hikkaduwa National Park, Marine national park in Southern Province, Sri Lanka

Hikkaduwa National Park stretches along about four kilometers of coast and contains a shallow coral reef with depths reaching five meters. The waters support a variety of marine life including corals and reef fish species.

The area was first protected as a wildlife sanctuary in 1979 and became a national park in 2002 to strengthen marine ecosystem protection.

The park's entrance sign carries the same warning in Sinhala, Tamil, English, French and Russian, reflecting the mix of local and foreign visitors. It states that entering the coral reef by boat without a valid permit, or damaging corals and associated species, is a punishable offence. The sign is headed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation and signed by its Director General.

The park offers snorkeling, diving, and boat tours under supervision throughout the day. Visiting early gives you the best water clarity and calmest conditions for exploring.

The reef's outer slope is patrolled by blacktip reef sharks, while three threatened sea turtles — hawksbill, green and olive ridley — visit the coral. The seagrass beds between 5 and 10 metres deep shelter dugongs and sea turtles, and some prawn species feed there.