Dickwella Beach
A long, gently curving beach near the market town of Dickwella, quiet and shallow in parts, handy for pairing with Hiriketiya and the nearby blowhole and temple.
Just a short walk or tuk-tuk ride from the more famous curve of Hiriketiya Bay, Dickwella's own town beach offers something quieter and considerably less crowded, a long, golden stretch of sand shaded by low, leaning palms and dotted with a handful of genuinely comfortable beach hotels. Unlike its neighbor, Dickwella isn't really known for surfing, the waves here tend to be light, inconsistent shore breaks rolling over shallow sand, better suited to a calm swim than any serious wave chasing.
What Dickwella offers instead is space and quiet, visitors here often find long stretches of sand with barely another person in sight, a genuine contrast to Hiriketiya's increasingly busy scene just around the headland. The town itself carries a practical, unpretentious feel too, small enough to walk end to end, yet stocked with the basics travelers actually need, ATMs, grocery shops, a pharmacy, none of the polish of a purpose built resort town, all of the convenience.
Its real value lies in location as much as the beach itself, positioned almost exactly between Hiriketiya and the wider string of Tangalle area beaches further west, with Wewurukannala Vihara's giant Buddha statue and the Hummanaya Blowhole both within easy reach by tuk-tuk. For travelers basing themselves here, Dickwella works well as a calm, functional home base, somewhere to return to after a day spent surfing at Hiriketiya or exploring the area's temples and natural landmarks, without the noise or crowding that's crept into its more famous neighbor.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Free
- Opening hours: Open all day
- Time needed: 2 to 3 hours
- Best time: November to April
Getting there
At Dickwella, about 22km east of Matara on the coast road.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to visit Dickwella Beach?
- Free.
- What are the opening hours at Dickwella Beach?
- Open all day.
- How long should I spend at Dickwella Beach?
- Plan for 2 to 3 hours.
- When is the best time to visit Dickwella Beach?
- November to April.
- How do I get to Dickwella Beach?
- At Dickwella, about 22km east of Matara on the coast road.