Hiriketiya Beach is one of the coolest beach destinations in Sri Lanka. This beach is located in the small village of Dikwella on the south coast of Sri Lanka and has completely carved out its own identity in recent years, becoming more popular than Dikwella itself. Despite Hiriketiya Beach’s small size, it’s a popular spot for surfers and beach lovers seeking a vibrant atmosphere. Surrounding ‘Hiri,’ as it’s affectionately abbreviated, are numerous excellent restaurants, cozy beach bars, surf schools, and comfortable accommodations. Hiriketiya Beach is the kind of place where you end up staying longer than you initially planned. Curious? Scroll down quickly and read all the tips for Hiriketiya Beach and Dikwella!
What to Do at Hiriketiya Beach?
There’s plenty to do in and around Hiriketiya Beach. Here are some things you definitely shouldn’t miss.
Start Your Day Right with a Yoga Class at Salt House
For a great start to your day, head to Salt House. At this serene spot, you can get your daily dose of yoga and healthy relaxation. In their elevated Yoga Shala, you’ll be surrounded by tropical treetops and sounds of nature, allowing you to completely unwind. You can choose to just join a yoga class here, but for an even better experience, you can also stay at Salt House. After class, be sure to linger in the garden for a delicious healthy breakfast at the restaurant. Sometimes they offer combo deals where you can get a yoga class along with a meal at a discount.
Tip: This is a popular yoga spot, so classes can get quite crowded. Try to arrive at least fifteen minutes early to increase your chances of securing a spot. Check out their Instagram account for the current schedule.
Surfing at Hiriketiya Beach
Hiriketiya Beach boasts the perfect wave conditions that both novice and experienced surfers appreciate. This is why Hiriketiya Beach has become more popular than Dikwella itself. Even if you’ve never touched a surfboard before, Hiriketiya Beach is a good place to start. You’ll find stalls all along the beach where you can rent surfboards and take surf lessons.
Tip: One downside of this cozy bay is that it can get very crowded in the water, so you might not always have the space you’d like. For surf lessons, instructors often head to Weligama. More experienced surfers also enjoy going to the surfing village of Ahangama.
Chill Out at Dikwella Beach
If you’re looking to spend a day lounging on the beach and find Hiriketiya Beach a bit too cozy, take a 15-minute walk over the hill to Dikwella Beach. This expansive beach is mostly protected by headlands, reefs, and sandbanks, resulting in fewer waves and more pleasant swimming conditions. Compared to Hiriketiya Beach, Dikwella Beach is much larger and more spacious, with plenty of sunbeds, chairs, and lively beach tents. You can easily spend a whole day at Dikwella Beach. Take a dip in the water, play a game of beach volleyball, and end your day with a beautiful sunset. In the next section, we’ll give you a tip for a great sunset spot at Dikwella Beach.
Swing at Sunset at Dikwella Beach
What could be better than feeling the wind in your hair as you sway back and forth under a few palm trees? At Mahi Mahi restaurant on Dikwella Beach, there’s a swing hanging from a swaying palm tree. During the day, you can pass by as you take a stroll along Dikwella Beach, but during dusk, it’s an even more magical spot. You can enjoy the colorful sunset while gently swinging.
Visit the Tallest Lighthouse in Sri Lanka
At the southernmost point of Sri Lanka, you’ll find a 49-meter-high white lighthouse (161 feet) standing as a beacon on the coast. Dondra Lighthouse has bright yellow shutters and is surrounded by dozens of palm trees. Besides being a postcard-perfect sight, it’s also fascinating to realize that you’re at the very tip of the south coast. Take some time to sit under a palm tree and gaze at the endless sea view. But watch out for falling coconuts!
Tip: From Hiriketiya Beach, it’s a half-hour drive to Dondra Lighthouse. Instead of heading right through the official entrance, where Google Maps will likely take you, you can also view the lighthouse from the left side. On the left, you’ll find a much cozier little bay. After your visit to the lighthouse, you can also grab a juice at Tree Juice bar & Restaurant.
Walk Across the Sandbank at Blue Beach
If you’re into unique beaches, a visit to Blue Beach is a must. A pure white sandbank connects Blue Beach Island to the mainland. It’s fun to walk across the sandbank and snap some tropical photos. This is the exact location of Blue Beach.
Enjoy an Ayurveda Massage at Tonic Spa in Dikwella
Ayurveda literally means the science of life and is a medical science that is many centuries older than our Western medicine. Ayurveda is about much more than just medicine. It looks at life in a holistic way; How do you live? What do you eat? What is your body made up of? It originates from India and has since spread to Sri Lanka, now fitting perfectly with our contemporary mindset.
Treat yourself to a delightful Ayurvedic massage or herbal bath at Tonic Spa, where they combine traditional therapies with modern luxury. They use aromatic oils, potent herbs, and invigorating treatments that soothe your mind and rejuvenate your skin. It’s advisable to make a reservation in advance. You can view all treatments on their Instagram account and book an appointment directly.
Visit Hummanaya Blowhole during High Tide
Just a fifteen-minute drive from Hiriketiya Beach lies Hummanaya Blowhole, the second-largest blowhole in the world. When the waves move through the narrow opening between the two large rocks, the pressure creates a fountain of seawater that can reach meters high. During the rainy season, from May to August, the water can reach heights of up to 30 meters (98 feet)! During the rest of the months, it reaches only a few meters.
Tip: Check the tide schedule before visiting Hummanaya Blowhole. It can be quite anticlimactic if only a little water spurts up due to low tide, as shown in the photo below.
Beautiful Beaches around Hiriketiya & Dikwella
In the vicinity of Hiriketiya and Dikwella, you’ll find several lovely beaches. On one side, there’s Talalla Beach, a long and wide beach perfect for a sunset stroll. The waves are a bit rougher at Talalla Beach, making it less suitable for swimming. For a relaxing beach day, hop on a scooter or tuk-tuk to Silent Beach. This wide beach offers a perfect blend of tranquility, space, shade, beach loungers, and a few small beach bars. Next to Silent Beach, you’ll also find the smaller Goyambokka Beach, equally beautiful and more intimate.
Explore the Authentic Nilwella Fishery Harbour
If you want to experience more of local life, consider visiting the local fish market in Nilwella. Here, fishermen arrive early in the morning to sell their catch to the highest bidder. You’ll need to rise early as this happens around 6:30 – 7:00 in the morning.
Now, this market is nothing like the famous fish market in Negombo (which you shouldn’t miss if you’re there). During my visit to Nilwella, only one large boat and a few small ones came in with fish. However, as it’s a local spot with few tourists, arriving fairly early with my camera around my neck led to pleasant interactions with curious locals. A very friendly man, who had lost a few fingers from accidentally cutting them off while cleaning fish, enthusiastically showed me each fish as it came in. He proudly held them up for me to photograph, resulting in some lovely moments and pictures. Initially, I expected more action at this place, but ultimately, the contact with locals and glimpse into their daily lives made for a delightful morning.
Tip: If you want more action in the harbor and to see a variety of fish, drive a bit further to Kudawella Harbor. It’s a larger harbor with a bigger fish market, according to a local.
Work at the Verse Collective Coworking Space near Dikwella Beach
For the digital nomads among us, Verse Collective offers a great workspace. Besides purchasing a day pass for their internet and comfortable workspaces, this coworking space also serves delicious food and good coffee. Plus, there’s a small skate ramp outside for enthusiasts who want to show off their moves on a skateboard alongside surfing.
Indulge in Delicious Food and Cocktails at Smoke & Bitters
Around Hiriketiya Beach, you’ll find plenty of trendy restaurants, each serving delicious food. You’ll find all our favorite restaurants in the next section of this article, but one restaurant definitely deserves its own paragraph: Smoke & Bitters. This place has been crowned the best bar in Sri Lanka and ranks 40th in all of Asia. Therefore, you definitely want to try various items from their menu. Their smoker dishes are mouthwatering, and you won’t find better cocktails anywhere else!
Tip: Smoke & Bitters is only open for dinner. You won’t be the only one looking to dine here, so reservations are a must.
Tips for Great Restaurants at Hiriketiya Beach & Dikwella
Tangalle Rice & Curry Restaurant – At this small local restaurant, you can reserve a spot for the buffet. Beforehand, there’s a brief demonstration of how the food is prepared. They serve approximately 15 different curries.
Dots Bay House – Here, you can enjoy pizza and curries all day long. Tuesdays and Saturdays are music nights. You can also have a great stay here; read more about it in the next section.
Malu Poke – At Malu Poke, you create your own poke bowl. Perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner.
La Playa – This hip restaurant serves sourdough pizzas and tasty cocktails right on the beach.
Bahia – For a healthy breakfast or lunch, Bahia is the place to go. They also serve delicious coffee.
Duni’s Hoppers – Near Hiriketiya Beach lies the charming Duni’s Hoppers, where you can order traditional hoppers, smoothie bowls, and good coffee. It’s open from 8:00 to 15:00.
Marindi – A simple restaurant where you can enjoy delicious food with your feet in the sand.
Garlic Cafe – Enjoy delicious Sri Lankan cuisine here.
Mond – From Mond’s amazing rooftop terrace, you have a stunning view of the sea. The café is open every day from 08:00 to 14:30. Then, on Thursday through Sunday, you can dine at the restaurant starting from 17:00.
Rosies Kitchen – At Rosies Kitchen, you can savor Sri Lankan cuisine. You can also take a cooking class here. Advance booking is a must.
Salt House – Besides yoga, you can also enjoy delicious food here. It’s open for brunch until 13:30, and you can order drinks and smoothie bowls until 15:30.
Smoke and Bitter – This is the best bar in Sri Lanka with phenomenal food from their smoker. It opens at 17:00, and booking in advance is essential for securing a table.
Our Favorite Spots in Hiriketiya
Dots Bay House is one of the coolest places to stay near Hiriketiya Beach. The beach is just a few meters away, so the location gets a perfect score. The atmosphere at Dots Bay House is fantastic, with often live music, incredibly friendly staff, and a lovely swimming pool where you can easily meet other travelers. You can stay here in a private room or a dormitory with plenty of privacy. If Dots Bay House is beyond your budget but you still want to stay close to Hiriketiya Beach, then Gold Ocean House is your best option. This guesthouse is just a two-minute walk from the beach and is run by a lovely family. You can also count on having a great time at Wilson’s Place. This hotel is located in a quiet area, just a bit outside the center, but you’ll still be on Hiriketiya Beach within a 7-minute walk. The owner is incredibly nice and always ready to help. The rooms are modern, and there’s a large garden with comfortable seating.
Tip: Hiriketiya is becoming an increasingly popular destination, so booking early is advisable if you want to stay at one of the charming accommodations.
  Dots Bay House |
  Gold Ocean House |
  Wilson’s Place |
