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Travellers are increasingly learning about the beauty of Sri Lanka’s South Coast beaches. The most common challenge is deciding which coastal towns to visit.
This is not a guide to all of the beaches on the South Coast. I’ve only seen a few. But since I chose to stay in Dikwella/Dickwella, I thought I’d share my experience. That way, you can decide for yourself if Dikwella is worth visiting and staying in.
How to get to Dikwella
Dikwella is close to the southernmost point of Sri Lanka, roughly halfway between Galle and Hambantota.
Most of Sri Lanka’s most popular beach spots — Mirissa, Weligama, Hikkaduwa, Bentota — are west of it, closer to Galle, or even past it. This might make it seem like it’s really out of the way.
But it actually means that Dikwella is a great place to stop when travelling between Galle and places such as Ella and Yala National Park.
Coming from Galle, you can take the train from Galle to Wewrukannala Station, just north of the town. It’s an easy tuk-tuk from there to town. When leaving Dikwella, my guesthouse host just took me over on his scooter.
Coming from Ella, you have the awesome to take a transfer that includes a safari experience on the way. Choose from a safari at Yala National Park or a tour of Udawalawa National Park to turn a travel day into a fun activity.
Otherwise, organise a direct private transfer if speed and comfort are your priorities. Galle is only a 1-hour drive, while Ella is about 3 hours away.
Where to stay in Dikwella
You can find accommodation all across Dikwella, from one end of its beachfront to the other.
The main concentration of accommodation near Dikwella is around Hiriketiya, and honestly, that’s a good place to stay. Hiriketiya has a more tropical, tourist-friendly feel than Dikwella, but it is also much busier with people. My main reason for choosing Dikwella was that it was closer to the bus station, though I didn’t end up using it.
It’s only a 20-minute walk from the heart of Dikwella to Hiriketiya Beach, and closer to 5 minutes by tuk-tuk.
Each day, I typically went over to Hiriketiya for meals, which is another reason to choose Hiriketiya over Dikwella. Mind you, Cafe Aqua on New Tangalle Road works well for morning coffee.
I stayed at Secret House, a homestay hidden away from the street. The family who owns it is lovely, and the rooms are comfortable. However, one of their dogs can be territorial, so if you’re not good with dogs, I suggest trying elsewhere.
Other well-rated places to stay in Dikwella, not including the many around Hiriketiya, are:
What to do in Dikwella
When visiting Dikwella, your plans are going to look pretty similar to any beach town along Sri Lanka’s south coast. Relax, swim, surf, eat, drink, and chill out.
What’s nice about Dickwella is that you have several choices of where you do those things. It’s similar to how Galle and Unawatuna offer different experiences. I think it’s this variety that makes Dikwella appealing to visit.
One local attraction I only noticed on my way out was the Wewurukannala Buduraja Maha Viharaya and its enormous Buddha statue. Reading up on it, I would have liked to see it up close, but learning they have a captive elephant there makes me wary.
Dikwella Beach
The main thing to like about staying in Dikwella is Dikwella Beach.
Behind its string of roadside shops and across a grassy field, you reach the town’s long, curving arc of sand. Dikwella Beach is a fantastic place for beach walks, watching the sunset, and relaxing under coconut trees.
The eastern end of the beach has cafes, bars, and restaurants right on the sand, and it’s a great place to chill out. Better yet, it’s quiet and spacious, so you can get away from the crowds at Hirikiteya.
Wading in the shallows at Dikwella Beach is an option, but swimming is not recommended. It’s not patrolled, and the tide can be vicious. Also, it’s not a surf beach.
Hiriketiya
For swimming and surfing, plus brunching and nightlife, you want Hiriketiya.
New resorts, hotels, guesthouses, and cafes all crowd the tight and secluded cove of Hiriketiya Beach. A before-and-after from 10 years ago makes it look like a textbook case of overtourism.
The idea of that may put you off, but see Hiriketiya Beach and you immediately get the appeal.
It perfectly delivers on the idea of an idyllic tropical beach, from the coconut trees crowding the narrow strip of sand to the rows of surfers waiting for the next good wave.
I settled in at one of the restaurants at the eastern end of the beach one day, dangling my feet over the water’s edge, watching the surfers come in.
Hiriketiya Beach and Dikwella Beach couldn’t be more different, but both have their strengths.
Turtle Point
Head the opposite direction to Hiriketiya from Dikwella, and you reach Turtle Point.
This little headland breaks up two small bays at Batheegama Beach, with some impressive rocks to scramble across to enjoy its coastal views.
Turtle Point is the resort end of Dikwella and felt so much quieter and more remote than Dikwella or Hiriketiya. It’s also where people often go for snorkelling and to look for Green turtles, if they don’t go to Mirissa for it.
Neither I nor the weather was in the mood for snorkelling, especially once I saw sea urchins in an area near the rocks.
Caffe Welly, back on the main road, proved to be an excellent refuge as I waited out an afternoon downpour. Honestly, whether you want Sri Lankan dishes or smoothie bowls, the food around Dikwella is top-notch.
