Hiriketiya Beach, Sri Lanka: An Insider Guide to Surf, Food, & Things to Do
When I first arrived in Hiriketiya Beach, I instantly understood why it has become one of Sri Lanka’s favorite coastal escapes for digital nomads and expats alike. The small, curved bay, outlined by palm trees and gentle waves, makes it ideal for both surfers and sunbathers. Beyond the beach, there is a small but lively community with cozy cafes to work in, small yoga shalas and gyms to decompress, and even more luxurious stays with spas for those on holiday.
Whether you are here for the surf, the food, or simply the laid-back vibes, Hiriketiya has a way of making you stay a little longer than originally planned. If you are considering adding this spot to your Sri Lanka itinerary, you can use this insider guide as a one-stop shop for everything you need to know for your visit.
Oh & as always practice sustainable tourism while traveling, please :)
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Hiriketiya Beach Sri Lanka: The Insider Guide
A view of Hiriketiya’s famous surfing beach in Sri Lanka.
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#1: Why Visit Hiriketiya?
Hiriketiya Beach is the perfect mix of chill and lively, appealing to all types of travelers. The beach is ideal for those looking to surf, swim, or sunbathe within a beautiful palm-tree-lined turquoise bay. On busier days, a beach within walking distance, Dalawella Beach, offers an escape from the crowds with a longer stretch of sand and calm water perfect for relaxing in.
The small surf town is easy to explore on foot, with shops, restaurants, and cute cafes for working, all spaced out enough to still leave pockets of nature in between. The community is a mix of locals, surfers, expats, and backpackers, all happy to enjoy life at a slower pace. It really is the perfect spot to enjoy a little bit of everything, whether you are traveling or looking for somewhere to base yourself.
Best Time to Visit Hiriketiya
The best time to visit Hiriketiya is during the “dry season” from December until April. Keep in mind that it can rain at any time of the year. When I was here in January/February, it still rained some days.
December and January are quite busy due to the holidays. So I would avoid this time frame if you want fewer crowds.
For smaller beginner waves, historically December until February/March. Followed by more powerful swells, especially during the monsoon seasons.
How to Get to & Around Hiriketiya
How to Get to Hiriketiya:
Getting to Hiriketiya depends on where you are coming from.
By Bus:
The closest major bus stop is in the neighboring town of Dickwella. From there, you can either drive 4 minutes, walk 21 minutes, or take a local bus to reach the main center of Hiriketiya.
Keep in mind that buses can be chaotic and crowded, especially during peak hours.
Bus Route Tips From…
Matara: Bus 350
Unawatuna: Bus 350
Colombo: Head towards Galle or Matara and take Bus 350 from there.
Yala (Tissamaharama): A taxi could be best here. You can find some more information on visiting Yala here.
Always check with your accommodation for the most up-to-date routes and prices.
By Train:
The train is another option, with the closest station being Wewrukannala. From there, you can either walk 40 minutes, drive 9 minutes, or hop on the public bus to here or here, depending on where you are staying.
I find the public bus much simpler, usually riding only one or two buses, and it costs a bit less.
Ride-Share, Taxis, & Rentals:
Local ride-sharing apps or taxis are another option, but can be quite costly in Sri Lanka. I tried ordering an Uber once while in Sri Lanka, but it was too expensive and not much faster than the bus or train. PickMe is another popular local app, but my experience was frustrating. Drivers would accept the ride, drive toward me, and then try to negotiate a higher fare (no, thank you).
Renting a tuk-tuk is another possibility, but it is more expensive (typically 15 USD or more per day), requires a valid international driving permit, and can be less convenient than simply hopping on a public bus or walking.
How to Get Around Hiriketiya:
With everything being within walking distance, I found the best way to get around Hiriketiya was on foot. Many long-term expats rely on scooter rentals, while locals often use tuk-tuks.
Best Places to Stay in Hiriketiya
If you want to have walking access to Hiriketiya Beach and the surrounding attractions, I recommend staying anywhere within a 10-minute walk from the beach itself. If you prefer to be slightly further out, you can explore Dickwella or Nilwella as well.
Best Accommodation Options in Hiriketiya For Every Traveler…
Backpacker/Hostel Option: Mount Top or Abinu’s Place (Dorm or Private, I stayed in the private, and I enjoyed my stay!)
Best Low-Budget: Peak House or House On The Bend
Best Mid-Budget: Wilson's Place or Dots Bay House
Best High-End Budget: Belika Beach
Best Luxury Budget: Kaas Villas
You can also find hotel deals at Agoda and Hostel World! You can help support my travel blog by clicking and booking through the links at no additional cost to you!
Where to Eat in Hiriketiya
Some delicious gluten-free/vegan Hoppers from Duni's Hoppers in Hiriketiya Beach, Sri Lanka.
A yummy smoothie bowl from my time in Hiriketiya Beach.
While in Hiriketiya, I did cook a lot of my food in my room since I had a shared kitchen. The nearest supermarket I went to was Cargills in Dickwella. However, when I did eat out, these were my go-to spots!
Garlic Cafe (vegetarian options)
The Jackfruit Vegan Cafe (entirely vegan)
Taboo (more pricey, veggie options)
Bunch (vegan & gluten-free options)
Malu Poke (a favorite, both gluten-free and vegan options)
Maru (vegan & gluten-free options)
Lemon Grass Cafe (delicious Sri Lankan food, veggie options)
Duni’s Hoppers (gluten-free and vegan options, great spot to try hoppers!)
Best Things to Do in Hiriketiya
The busy waters at Hiriketiya Beach in Sri Lanka.
#1: Surf at Hiriketiya Beach— Surfing is a big part of what draws people to Hiriketiya. The bay has a mix of small, rolling waves that are great if you are learning, and a few faster breaks for when you are ready to take your skills to the next level. You can find plenty of spots along the beach to rent a board or book a quick lesson.
#2: Try yoga or sound healing on a rooftop at Jasper House— Looking to decompress from work or to continue your practice? Jasper House offers daily yoga classes, sound healing, and even wellness retreats on its rooftop yoga shala!
#3: See how long you can last in an ice bath at Ice Hiriketiya— Did you know short-term cold exposure has been proven to support cognitive, physical, and metabolic functions? Ice Hiriketiya gives you the chance to step up your wellness game, or simply have some fun, seeing how long you can last in the ice bath.
#4: Lounge on one of the beaches— Looking to close your eyes, lie back, and relax on soft sand with gentle waves crashing in the background? Hiriketiya has a few beaches for you. If you prefer a beach with more amenities, people, and surfers, try Hiriketiya Beach. Want more space to spread out and fewer surfers around? Dickwella Beach is for you.
A view nearby to Nilwella Beach.
#5: Explore Nilwella Beach— Want a beach that offers more adventure? Head to Nilwella Beach, which has two coves connected by a sandbar. You can cross the sandbar at low tide and make your way over the hill to the other side, where you will find rocks and a palm tree island that is perfect for exploring.
#6: Spend a day at La Playa Beach Club— Looking for something a little more fancy? Book a room at La Playa Beach Club for some luxury stays, your own restaurant, and a pool, all with ocean views.
#7: Go on a day trip to Yala National Park!— Hoping for a unique day trip somewhere? Yala National Park offers you the chance to spot an elusive leopard in the wild, alongside many other bird species and animals, including elephants, buffalo, and monkeys. You can join a day trip like this one! If you want some more information about Yala, you can click here for my complete guide, including what to expect and insider tips!
Best Beaches In Hiriketiya
A view of Hiriketiya Beach in Sri Lanka.
Hiriketiya Beach— A cute, smaller cove-like beach with water that actually comes right up to the restaurants and lounge chairs. There is seating lining the beach, and good surf here. Lounge chairs and coconuts are more expensive; 1000+ rupees for a lounge chair and 400-450 for a cool coconut. The beach gets busy fast, with many popular food spots and accommodations right across from the beach.
Best for surfers of any level, meeting backpackers, lounging, swimming, and more.
A view of Dickwella Beach near Hiriketiya, Sri Lanka.
Dickwella Beach— This is the better beach for relaxing and swimming in peace. It has smaller waves (always check the swell), loads of lounge chairs, restaurants, volleyball nets, etc., along this much longer stretch of sand. Etc. Chairs are free with food purchase, and cool coconuts are around 350 rupees.
Best for those who want a longer stretch of sand and ocean to swim in, with fewer surfers about.
A view of Nilwella Beach.
Nilwella Beach— A beach for the more adventurous. During low tide, you can walk along the sandbar that connects the two beaches, then continue up the small hill through the jungle to the other side. Here you will find some unique rocks, tide pools, crabs, fish, and some beautiful views over the ocean surrounding Sri Lanka. Sadly, you will find some trash around this beach, so if you have a bag, you can always do a little clean-up on your way over.
Best beach for a little adventure and beauty.
Travel Tips for Visiting Hiriketiya
Hit the beach early to avoid crowds and beat the heat. The earlier you arrive, the more likely you are to rent the perfect lounge chair.
Bring cash (Sri Lankan Rupee) for coconuts, beach chairs, surfboards, etc. The best ATM is the Bank of Ceylon.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses — the sun gets strong here.
Carry an umbrella or rain jacket—Don’t let the weather app fool you, it did rain a lot when I was in Sri Lanka in January/February.
Stay hydrated—grab a fresh coconut or carry water with you. DO NOT drink the tap water.
Be cool with the locals and other surfers — give everyone plenty of space in the water. Don’t drop in on people.
Check the tides before swimming or surfing—some spots change a lot.
Rent boards and gear from the beach — surf schools make it easy.
Swim safely. There are not always lifeguards, so stick close to others and watch for currents.
Download an eSIM to help navigate the buses. I always use Airalo for my eSims.
Pack mosquito repellent to protect yourself from Dengue. Mosquitos are everywhere in Sri Lanka— I constantly had so many bites every day.
Be careful with the street dogs. Most are kind and well-fed in touristy areas, but rabies does exist in the country (in more animals than just dogs). I highly recommend getting the rabies vaccination before traveling. The disease is fatal.
Mistakes can happen, especially when surfing, so I recommend always having some form of travel medical insurance. Safety Wing is by far the best travel medical insurance. It has saved me numerous times by covering hospital visits when I was sick during my travels in Asia.
Emergency Contact Number: Police: 119 | Ambulance: 110
You can find a complete list of Sri Lanka’s Emergency #’s by location here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hiriketiya Worth Visiting?
I think yes, especially if you like small community vibes, everything being walkable, a natural atmosphere, or love surfing! It is the perfect stopover before heading to Yala, Udawalawe, or Ella.
How do I get to Hiriketiya Beach from Colombo or other major cities?
Taxi (quite expensive if coming from far away, like Colombo).
Tuk-tuk (a bit lengthy from places like Colombo since tuk-tuks move more slowly).
Public Buses are my preferred transport vehicle. The closest major bus stop is in the neighboring town of Dickwella. From there, you can either drive 4 minutes, walk 21 minutes, or take a local bus to reach the main center of Hiriketiya. More often than not, the best bus to take is the 350, but always check with your accommodation.
The train is another option, with the closest station being Wewrukannala. From there, you can either walk 40 minutes, drive 9 minutes, or hop on the public bus.
What’s the Wi-Fi and internet quality like in Hiriketiya?
Most accommodations have pretty good wifi, as do the cafes and coworking places. I never had an issue with wifi unless it was stormy out. I do recommend always having an eSIM as a backup if you are working remotely.
Is Hiriketiya Beach family-friendly and suitable for kids?
Please keep in mind I do not have kids of my own, but I do see Hiriketiya as being family and kid-friendly. There are calm enough sections at the beach for children to swim in. They just need to be mindful of nearby newbie surfers losing control of their boards. If you want a spot less bombarded with surfers, you could walk over to Dickwella Beach. As for eating, I did not notice many kid menus, but I do not view this as a deal breaker unless someone may be a fussy eater. Many tuk-tuks and drivers do not have child restraints for seats, but as mentioned, this area is quite walkable.
Are there vegan or gluten-free food options in Hiriketiya?
Yes! I am gluten-free myself, and I eat mostly vegan while I am traveling in Southeast Asia. Here are some yummy places to try:
Garlic Cafe (vegetarian options)
The Jackfruit Vegan Cafe (entirely vegan)
Bunch (vegan & gluten-free options)
Malu Poke (a favorite, both gluten-free and vegan options)
Maru (vegan & gluten-free options)
Duni’s Hoppers (gluten-free and vegan options, great spot to try hoppers!)
There Are So Many Stray Dogs In Sri Lanka, How Can I Help?
The easiest thing you can do is feed them. You can give them plain white rice and boneless chicken or any other boneless meat, as well as dog food. Many grocery stores sell dog food, but keep in mind that some dogs are picky eaters—do not take it personally if they do not eat what you offer. Of course, a starving dog will eat just about anything. Leaving out some water in a plastic bowl or even an empty coconut can also be helpful. Coconut water is highly hydrating and can benefit dogs as well.
Many dogs, especially those further from tourist areas, are afraid of human interaction. If a dog seems hesitant, simply place the food and water nearby and step away to give them space. I promise they will eat once you leave!
If you come across an injured or sick dog, you can notify Animal SOS, a non-profit organization that rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes stray animals in need. They currently have over 2000 dogs!! WECare is another incredible group providing veterinary care and sterilization programs to improve the lives of street dogs.
If you notice a dog with fleas or ticks and plan to stay in the area for a while, you can reach out to either organization for help in getting medication to distribute.
If you have more time, consider volunteering with one of these organizations to make an even bigger impact. I volunteered with Animal SOS, and it was a truly amazing day that left my heart even fuller.
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