In 1940, the Hikkaduwa Rocky Islets were declared sanctuaries and was limited to the land boundaries of these rocky islets. In 1998 it was upgraded to the status of a nature reserve and later to a national park. The famed Coral Gardens and Thelwatta Bird Sanctuary are the main attractions of Hikkaduwa which lies 98km from Colombo.
Foreign and local tourist come to see the famous “coral gardens” of Hikkaduwa, for the tourist who doesn’t like to get their feet wet glass bottom boats are available while others snorkel to reach them which are filled with brightly colored corals and marine life.