Hikkaduwa Marine Sanctuary has tourists from all over the world and for varied reasons. Here holiday makers come as do nationally renowned as well as internationally renowned marine biologists, naturalists, conservators and scientists. Different varieties of corals are seen here and approximately seventy varieties of corals are admired by all who take time off to explore Hikkaduwa Marine Sanctuary. However it is very unfortunate that some species like Acropora formosa, Acropora hyachinths, Acropora robusta are on their way to being nearly extinct from this sanctuary. Coral reefs are the best place to see and admire microscopic marine creatures, lobsters, coral fish, and other brightly colored fishes.
Hikkaduwa Marine Sanctuary is one of the most respected and popular coral reef destination of the island country for holiday makers and other people interested in marine ecology. But increasing onslaught by man had led this sanctuary to a despoiled state. To stop the onslaught and make the ecological balance steady, Hikkaduwa was declared as a Marine Sanctuary in 1979. Basically the coral extractors demolish most of vegetation in and around the place. However with the sanctuary in place, this has to a great extent being curbed. But there are other hazards too like the consequence of high radiation and the increase in sea surface temperature. This has led to the death of more than seventy percent of multi colored corals of the sanctuary on the south coast of Sri Lanka. What remains now are the pure white skeletal corals.
To visit Hikkaduwa Marine Sanctuary, you will have to come to at least 96 kms south west of Colombo, the capital city of the country. This sanctuary has 1.5 km stretch of beach protected by bordering coral reefs running parallel to the coast line. It is also a popular bathing and swimming destination. The reefs have five species of angel fish and twelve species of butterfly fish. The fish feed on coral tentacles and coral polyps.
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