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Best beaches for snorkeling

somerset
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104 posts
2 reviews
4 helpful votes
Best beaches for snorkeling
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Hi

We are thinking of traveling to Sri Lanka at Christmas, which are the best beaches and reefs for snorkelling straight from the beach and could you possibly suggest accommodation in these places too, to give me a start.

UK
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2,319 posts
1. Re: Best beaches for snorkeling
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Hi,

The main areas for snorkelling at that time of year are Long Reef, north of Negombo but thats a couple of miles off the coast so a boat trip every time.

Unawatuna,

Polhenna.

& Hikkaduwa.

Having snorkelled around all three of these I find Hikkaduwa the best in every way.

The coral isn't the best, really only just re growing after bleaching but it is getting better. Lots of fish variaties and some huge turtles.

Depends on what you wahnt from a hotel but ,,

http://www.lanka.com/hotels/hikkaduwa/223-coral-sands-hotel-hikkaduwa-sri-lanka.html

Is right on the sand and in fact, there's an outcrop of the reef which comes within 10 to 15 feet of the beach here so you can walk out of the hotel garden , on to the beach and be among the fish in only a few feet of water depth.

Swim out another 30 metres or so and you're over the main reef with lots of fish.

Go right to the eastern end of the beach and you'll be able to swim with turtles.

Plenty of reviews for the Coral Sands hotel , do a search above.

This hotel is inexpensive but there are cheaper ones there as well.

Rod.

2. Re: Best beaches for snorkeling

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somerset
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104 posts
2 reviews
4 helpful votes
3. Re: Best beaches for snorkeling
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Thank you Rod

What are your thoughts on the Asian Jewel Hotel, I realise that it is a few minutes to the beach from this hotel, are there sunbeds to hire on the beach?

Fredericia, Denmark
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Sunbeds are not for hire on the beach at Hikkaduwa (or anywhere else in Sri Lanka).

Hans

Znojmo, Czech...
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the sun beds are free on the beaches of hikkaduwa ,you may want to buy a drink from the respective beach restaurant..

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