Beaches near Hiriketiya, a fair guide to nine

There are nine beaches within about half an hour of Hiriketiya, and they are not alike. Some have surf and a crowd, some have a reef and calm water, and some are long, open and nearly empty.

How to read this list

This guide is written by Ohana. We are on the list, and we say where we think we fit.

The beaches below run from west to east along the coast road. For each one we say what the water is usually like, how busy it gets, where the shade is and who it suits.

Two things first. We could not confirm lifeguards on any of these beaches. And the sea changes with the season: it is usually calmer from about December to April and rougher from about May to September. Ask somebody local before you swim in a new place.

West of Dikwella town

• Talalla. A long, wide curve of sand with palms behind it, up to half an hour west of Hiriketiya. It is little built: a few small hotels and yoga retreats, not a row of cafes. The water is open and the waves can be strong, so most people come to walk and rest, not to swim far. Shade is thin on the long empty stretches, so bring a hat and water. It suits couples, walkers and anybody who wants space.
• Turtle Beach, Batheegama. This is our bay, on the west side of Dikwella. It is calm and round, with a reef on the horizon, and wild sea turtles often feed on the reef, most of all early in the morning and at sunset. It is also called Turtle Point. There is shade under the palms, and at Ohana there are sunbeds, hammocks and a cabana. Sea urchins live in the rocks, so walk in where the sand is clear. It suits families, older couples, readers and people who hope to see a turtle. It is not a surf beach.

In Dikwella

• Dikwella beach. The town's own beach is a long, wide arc of pale sand with room on it even in the high months. Coconut palms give some shade. Reefs and sandbars calm the water in places, but the beach is not patrolled, and travellers also describe a strong pull in other places. The accounts differ, so ask before you swim. It suits a walk at sunset, a morning run and people who stay in town.
• Pehebiya. The east end of Dikwella beach, on the way to Hiriketiya. You will also see it spelled Pehembiya. It is the calmer corner of the bay, with a few cafes and bars on the sand, some with sunbeds, and it is known for its sunsets. In the evening this is where people in Dikwella go for a drink, and the places here serve alcohol. It suits people who want company and music at the end of the day.

Hiriketiya and the east

• Hiriketiya. A small horseshoe bay with jungle behind it. In the middle is a beach break where people learn to surf, and on one side a reef break for surfers with experience. The strip of sand is narrow, the palms give shade and the cafes stand close together. From December to March it is busy, and by mid-morning the water is full of boards, so swimmers do well to come early. It suits surfers, people who travel alone and anybody who likes to be among others.
• Blue Beach Island, Nilwella. A bright sandbar joins the shore to a small rocky island with palms on it. It is about 15 minutes from Dikwella by tuk-tuk. At low tide you walk across on dry sand, so look at the tide before you leave. There is little shade and the rocks get hot at midday. Bring your own water and something to eat. It suits a morning outing and people who like to take photographs.
• Mawella. About 15 minutes east of Hiriketiya. A long sand beach with a lagoon behind it, fishing boats, and few people. It suits long walks and quiet stays.

Towards Tangalle

• Goyambokka. A sheltered crescent of sand near Tangalle. Guides describe it as good for swimming and much quieter than Hiriketiya. It suits swimmers and couples.
• Silent Beach. Also near Tangalle, about 30 minutes from Hiriketiya. It has kept its quiet, though a few beach shacks have opened there now. It suits a day away from everything.

Which beach for which day?

• You want to surf, or to watch surfers: Hiriketiya.
• You want calm water, shade and a long lunch: Turtle Beach. The sunbeds, the cabana and the garden are on the page of our beach club in Dikwella.
• You want to walk for an hour without meeting many people: Dikwella beach early in the morning, Mawella or Talalla.
• You want music and a drink at sunset: Pehebiya.
• You want one photograph to send home: Blue Beach Island at low tide.
• You have small children: look for a sheltered bay with shade and a kitchen close by. That is what we have at Turtle Beach. Hiriketiya works too, early in the day at the edges of the bay.

If you would like the four bays of Dikwella itself explained one by one, read Dikwella beach and Turtle Beach, the bays explained. If Hiriketiya has felt too busy, a quiet beach near Hiriketiya says what quiet honestly means with us. And for the bag, there is what to pack for a beach day.

Good to know

• Ohana is at Turtle Beach, Dikwella, less than five minutes by road from Hiriketiya.
• Sunbeds are free for the whole day, one for each person, when each person spends 10,000 LKR on food and drinks; otherwise they cost 1,000 LKR an hour each. A towel comes with every sunbed.
• Snorkel masks are lent free. Never touch, chase or feed the turtles.
• Breakfast is served from 08:00 to 11:00, lunch and dinner from 11:00 to 21:00, every day.
• No alcohol is served. Filtered water is on the house.