Hiriketiya beach on the south coast of Sri Lanka is an idyllic spot for beach bums and party goers alike.
The south coast of Sri Lanka in general, is a big beach party destination (which not many know about yet either).
The beach towns of Weligama, Ahangama, Mirissa and Madiha are more popular counterparts party-wise, and Hiriketiya is a balance between nature and weekend parties.
I quite enjoyed the laid-back vibe of Hiriketiya after non-stop daily partying in the other parts.
Plus, it is gorgeous. From the vast expanse of Dickwella (Dikwella) beach to the mesmerizing sunsets and sunrises, Hiriketiya is a MUST-ADD to any Sri Lankan itinerary.
The thing with every beach town in the south coast of Sri Lanka is – they captivate you and you just don’t want to leave. From friendly locals to cool expats, from yoga shalas to surf spots, from quaint beaches to crazy parties – there is something for all types of travelers.
It was so hard for us to leave Weligama/ Ahangama area to finally move to Hiriketiya and I am so glad we did.
Things to do in Hiriketiya For First Time Travelers
Visiting Hiriketiya for the first time? Well if you are like us, you will be spoilt for choices. With so many amazing restaurants, sunset spots, beach bars, and karaoke spots, there is always plenty of things to do in and around Hiriketiya.
If you have more time at hand, I would recommend spending atleast a week but if you are short on time, pick one weekday for relaxing/ exploring and 1 weekend night for crazy partying.
Here’s what we did on this upscale beach town in just our short 2 days which we spent there –
Stay right by the Hiriketiya Beach
We really lucked out whilst looking for the best hotels in Hiriketiya. We made a mistake and didn’t book beforehand, we simply booked a cab from Weligama and came straight to this beach paradise – without any prior reservations.
It took us an hour of driving around after reaching Hiriketiya to find the PERFECT hotel overlooking Hiriketiya beach – Muthu Sea View.
Muthu hotel in Hiriketiya is surely a great choice if you want comfortable oceanfront AC rooms without breaking the bank. Priced at just around $75 a night (note that Hiriketiya is NOT as cheap as Weligama/ Ahangama when it comes to accomodations), we had the perfect view and slept to the sound of the waves.
Plus, woke up to the most splendid sunrise too.
Muthu also has great food, drinks and amazing staff with a super cool overall vibe. The street and beach itself are very cozy and upscale. Walking distance to Smoke & Bitters, Dots bay and other popular spots in the area, Muthu Sea View Hiriketiya would be the best choice for a mid-scale traveler.
Convinced? Click here to book Muthu hotel Hiriketiya at lowest rates (opt for breakfast included option as their food is outstanding).
For luxury and budget options, you can check my full post about hotels in Hiriketiya.
Enjoy Sunsets and Coconuts at Pehembiya Beach (Dikwella)
Pehembiya beach was our first sunset stop (and surely one of our favorites) as we rushed after a quick check in, to enjoy what Hiriketiya is most famous for – sunsets!
Instead of our usual modus operandi of sundowners on the beach, we tried a coconut (400 LKR) and enjoyed as the sky set ablaze with the most stunning orange hues.
All our tensions over finding a hotel were put to ease as we watched the surreal view in front of our eyes.
Visit Asia’s #14 Ranked Bar – Smoke & Bitters
Little did we know that one of Asia’s top 50 bars was right on Pehembiya beach (Also a walking distance from our hotel). We headed straight for cocktails and grub to Smoke & Bitters.
Since we didn’t make prior reservations, we were seated at the bar by smiling staff.
The cocktails really hit the spot and we only had finger food (Since we didnt get a table) and our entire experience was amazing.
Pro Tip – Reserve beforehand or don’t expect to get a table or even a seat at the bar. This place can get busy as it is a must stop for everyone visiting Hiriketiya.
Play Pool or Party at Dots Bay House
Dots Bay House is a must-visit when traveling to Hiriketiya. Not only do they have the wackiest Saturday night parties in Hiriketiya but even on non-party days, there is a good vibe all around.
Comfortable couches offer complete relaxation while you sip your cocktails. You can even play a game of pool (no extra charge) or join a yoga class every morning for $10 (Check the schedule beforehand on their Instagram).
Catch the Sunrise at Hiriketiya Beach
Wondering what to do in Hiriketiya beach? Well one things for sure – do NOT miss the sunrise. Since I was staying at Muthu sea view which is right by the beach and we used to sleep by wee hours of morning, I decided to catch the sunrise one day.
I was so mesmerized by this sight that I was in tears.
It was 515 am and the colors in the sky started changing slowly, a few surfers were already getting their boards ready and perhaps 2 others like me walking around in amazement. With around 5 people and same amount of beach dogs, we all gaped at the rising sun in awe. This scene will remain with me forever and I was so grateful for this moment.
This one sunrise legit made my trip to Hiriketiya totally worth it.
Go for a Swim at Dikwella Beach
Dickwella / Dikwella beach is a vast expanse of gorgeous white sands spreading as far as the eyes can see. Excellent spot for processing emotions on long walks or watching sunsets and taking dips.
When we visited Dikwella we were the only ones there and enjoyed this stunning expanse of white sand and playful waves completely to ourselves. The waves here are also more swimmable than the surfer beach of Hiriketiya.
Swim, take photos, eat good food, go on long walks or enjoy yoga-ing on the beach. Dikwella is for every beach lover.
Sip cocktails at La Playa
La Playa Hiriketiya is one of the most popular beach clubs in town, boasting of a lounge bar, pool, rooftop bar, boutique hotel, and restaurant. Almost always flocked with upscale party goers and a great place for sundowners.
Enjoy Local Sri Lankan food at Muthu’s
Actually all the food we tried at Muthu sea view was absolutely mouth watering. However, my favorite was surely the coconut roti with chicken curry in a platter (thali). The portions are massive, rates are reasonable and the food is delicious.
I was so happy to discover good food right where I was staying. Another reason to book Muthu sea view hotel for your Hiriketiya stay.
Have Indian Food at Grand Glorious
I cannot tell you how much I was craving proper Indian food after 2 weeks in Sri Lanka. Don’t get me wrong, Lankan cuisine is quite similar to taste, especially from South Indian cuisine. Still, being a North Indian, there are some flavors you crave wherever you go.
My travel mates were Indian and Italian and luckily, all of us loved Indian food and decided to try this local spot in Dickwella after our refreshing dip in the ocean.
First we tried the paranthas which were so good, we ordered around 10 different items including Chola, pakora, chicken curry etc. Everything was fantastic, and again portions were reasonably sized as well.
Watch a quiet sunset at Blue Beach Island
Blue Island Beach can be a hit or a miss on your Hiriketiya itinerary. Bang at sunset, it gets massive crowds (both locals and tourists), which can be quite a deterrent. However, if you stay for a couple of mins post sunset it gets quieter and you can easily spend an hour watching the hues fade over the horizon.
This was my fave part about visiting the Blue Beach Island. I was also told its better during sunrise but I didn’t get a chance to try it personally.
Check out the Secret Jungle Party (Bonus: Party bus)
For all party lovers, this is one of the top Hiriketiya attractions drawing hoards of tourists from across borders. The whole concept is quite cool actually.
You take a shuttle bus that runs every 30 mins every Friday (During season). You get on the bus and are taken to the secret party. Location is unknown. You can pre-book passes or buy them at the gate (if you choose to buy at gate, please be sure to carry enough cash – LKR 4000 per person).
The best part was the shuttle bus – converted into a proper party bus with loud music and neon lights. The trip takes around 30-40 mins and you will easily make new friends on the bus itself.
It’s a brilliant way to add a dimension to the party and keep the location “secret”. Loved the concept. The party itself was a little bit dull for us especially after the mad party week we had in Weligama/ Ahangama.
We did all this and more in our short 2 day stay in Hiriketiya.
There are many more beach bars and restaurants that were on our list which we didn’t have time for like – Rip Robana, Betaz, Kingsleys, Raa, Malkhola, The Ruin, The Hangout & More.
So we have them noted for our next visit. My travel companion did manage to visit the Hangout for a live music evening and she totally enjoyed herself.
There is a lot to do in Hiriketiya beach and the quieter nearby Dickwella beach. You won’t be bored even if it’s way quieter than its counterparts. Surely worth a visit even if its just for a laid back sunsetting time.
This alongside regular visits to Indian jungles in search of the Royal Bengal Tiger, fueled her zest for adventure, nature and wildlife.
Now she is a renowned travel blogger, outreach expert and has worked with over 500 travel brands in the last 15 years.
