Hikkaduwa National Park – Sri Lanka’s Underwater Treasure

Hikkaduwa National Park is one of only three marine national parks in Sri Lanka and serves as a vital refuge for coral reef ecosystems and marine biodiversity. Located off the southern coast near the vibrant town of Hikkaduwa, this park blends ecological significance, recreational appeal, and conservation urgency.

📜 Brief History & Status

🗓️ 1979: Declared a Wildlife Sanctuary
🗓️ 1988: Upgraded to a Nature Reserve
🗓️ 2002: Designated a National Park to curb reef degradation from rising tourism

🌊 Coral Reef Overview

Type: Shallow fringing reef
Average Depth: 5 meters (16 ft)
Coastline Length: 4 km
Reef Width: 5–50 meters (seasonal variation)
Purpose: Natural coastal barrier reducing erosion, critical marine habitat

📍 Geographical & Climatic Features

🌧️ Annual Rainfall: ~2,000 mm (79 inches)
🌦️ Best Visit Time: Inter-monsoon seasons (Dec–March & July–August)
🌡️ Water Temperature: 28°C – 30°C
🌡️ Air Temperature: Avg. 27°C
Location: Wet zone of southern Sri Lanka

🌿 Marine Flora & Fauna

🪸 Coral Species
Over 60 species, including:

✅ Faviidae, Poritidae (massive corals)
✅ Staghorn, Elkhorn, Brain, Cabbage, Table, and Star corals
🧬 Porites desilveri – Endemic to Sri Lanka
🐟 Marine Life
✅ Over 170 species of reef fish from 76 genera
✅ Notable species: Chlorurus rhakoura, Pomacentrus proteus (Sri Lankan endemics)
✅ Others: Blacktip reef sharks, prawns, shrimps, oysters, sea worms
🐢 Sea Turtles
✅ Hawksbill turtle (Critically Endangered)
✅ Green turtle (Endangered)
✅ Olive ridley turtle (Vulnerable)

🌱 Seagrass & Marine Algae

Found between 5–10 meters deep
Provide key feeding grounds for dugongs and turtles

🚨 Environmental Threats
🔥 1998 Coral Bleaching (El Niño):

Live coral cover dropped from 47% to 13%
Estimated 30–40% of reef needs restoration

⚠️ Overharvesting:

Removal of ornamental fish for trade harming biodiversity

🌊 2004 Tsunami:

No direct damage, but reef debris and net entanglement occurred
Conservation groups helped clean and restore the area

🧭 Why Visit Hikkaduwa National Park?

🐠 Snorkel among live coral reefs
📸 Underwater photography paradise
🧒 Educational for families and students
🌊 Scuba diving with reef fish & turtles
🌱 Support eco-tourism and reef conservation

🧼 Conservation Tip

Help protect this fragile ecosystem by:

✅ Avoiding reef contact during snorkeling
✅ Using reef-safe sunscreen
✅ Not collecting corals or fish
✅ Supporting licensed, eco-friendly tour operators

🌟 Summary

Hikkaduwa National Park is more than just a scenic underwater escape—it’s a living, breathing marine ecosystem vital to Sri Lanka’s environmental heritage. Ongoing conservation is essential to ensure this reef thrives for generations to come.

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