Hiriketiya or Dikwella, where to spend the day

Go to Hiriketiya if you want to surf, meet people and be in the middle of things. Come to Turtle Beach in Dikwella if you want calm water, space and a slow day. The two are a few minutes apart, so you do not really have to choose.

What is Hiriketiya like?

Hiriketiya is a small horseshoe bay with jungle behind it. It became known because of its waves, and the waves are still the reason to go.

There are two of them. In the middle of the bay is a beach break, where beginners take lessons close to the shore and stronger surfers sit further out. On one side is a reef break, a long left-hand wave for people who already know what they are doing. Boards and teachers are on the sand.

Around the bay there are cafes, small shops, yoga studios and places to stay, all close together. In the evening there is music. It is an easy place to meet people.

The honest part: the bay is small and well loved. From December to March it is busy, and by the middle of the morning the centre of the water is full of boards. Swimmers do better early, or at the quiet edges. If you have small children or want to read a book in peace, you may find it too busy.

What is Turtle Beach in Dikwella like?

Turtle Beach is the other mood. It is a calm, round bay with a reef on the horizon, away from tuk-tuks, noise and crowds. Wild sea turtles often feed on the reef, and you can look for them with a mask.

This is where we are. Ohana has its own private stretch of beach inside its grounds, in front of the public bay, with sunbeds, hammocks, a cabana and two swings under the palms. There is a restaurant that cooks to order, coffee from 08:00, and an oceanfront yoga shala. No alcohol is served, which is one reason the days here stay quiet.

Families are the heart of Ohana, but so are couples of every age, people who work on a laptop, and people who simply want to hear the sea. This is not a surf beach. That is the point.

The honest part: if you want waves, a crowd and a late night, Turtle Beach will feel too still. Hiriketiya is the right place for that.

Dikwella town itself is something else again: a working market town with a long, wide beach, a Saturday market and a large temple just inland. It is worth an hour or two for a look at ordinary life on this coast.

Which one suits you?

• You want to learn to surf, or surf every day: Hiriketiya.
• You are travelling alone and want company: Hiriketiya.
• You have children who want to play in calm water: Turtle Beach.
• You want a sunbed, shade and a long lunch: Turtle Beach.
• You want to see a turtle: Turtle Beach, with patience.
• You need to work for a few hours: both have places with Wi-Fi. We have Wi-Fi and power sockets, and more quiet.
• You want yoga: both. Our classes are in a shala by the ocean.

How do you move between them?

It is short. Hiriketiya is about 2 km east of Dikwella town, around five minutes by tuk-tuk from the centre, or a walk of 15 to 20 minutes. Ohana is less than five minutes by road from Hiriketiya.

A tuk-tuk is the simple way. Agree on the fare before you get in. Some visitors rent a scooter for their stay, which makes the ride easy if you are used to one. On foot, we are 10 to 20 minutes from Hiriketiya.

The exact way to us is on Find us.

Can you do both in one day?

Yes. A day that works:

• 06:30. Surf or swim in Hiriketiya while the bay is still quiet.
• 09:00. Come to us for breakfast, served until 11:00. Sandy feet are welcome.
• Late morning. A sunbed, a book, a swim with a mask.
• Lunch. The catch of the day, or a bowl.
• Afternoon. A class in the shala if there is one that day, or nothing at all.
• Evening. Dinner with us until 21:00, or back to Hiriketiya for the music.

On Sundays, stay for the Bonfire Circle on the sand at 6 PM. It is free.

You can see the garden and the beach on our beach club page, and what the kitchen cooks on the restaurant page.

Good to know

• Ohana is at Turtle Beach, Dikwella, less than five minutes by road from Hiriketiya.
• Breakfast is served from 08:00 to 11:00, lunch and dinner from 11:00 to 21:00.
• Sunbeds are free for the whole day, one for each person, when each person spends 10,000 LKR on food and drinks; otherwise they cost 1,000 LKR an hour each. A towel comes with every sunbed.
• Snorkel masks are lent free. Sea urchins live in the rocks, so walk in where the sand is clear.
• Prices are in LKR, plus a 10% service charge. Filtered water is on the house.