Drifters Beach Hotel - Hikkaduwa

Three hours’ drive from Colombo airport, Hikkaduwa is the tourism hub of the south-western Sri Lanka, internationally renowned for its surf and as a centre for diving. With lots of local sights to explore, there’s plenty to see and do ­in and out of the water – or just take it easy and soak up the sun. Close to the historic town of Galle, and the world heritage listed Galle Fort, Hikkaduwa is an ideal base for exploring the south coast.

Drifters is a small, family-run hotel with a focus on service, the owner is always on hand to help guests and ensure staff maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and service. And with their expert knowledge of Sri Lanka, they can show you all the delights of this magical island.

The owner

When you stay at Drifters Hotel & Beach Restaurant you will experience true Sri Lankan hospitality, and for owner Lalith, this means personalised attention. Lalith and the Drifters team work tirelessly so you can relax and have a good time – from dawn trips to the fishing harbour to bring you the best of the day’s catch, to keeping the beer flowing late into the night. Lalith is always on hand to ensure you have everything you need.

With more than 10 years in the tourism industry ­– first as a tour operator and guide, now as hotel and travel company owner – Lalith understands what’s important for a good holiday. His knowledge of Sri Lanka is unsurpassed, and he’s ready to share it with you, whether it is making the most of your stay in Hikkaduwa or planning a trip around the island.

Cool, comfortable, clean... feel right at home in a room with a view. After a hard day spent surfing the waves or just lazing on the beach, an evening dining under the stars or dancing till you drop at a local disco, it’s time to slip between crisp, clean sheets for a rejuvenating night’s sleep – in cool, air-conditioned comfort or caressed by balmy tropical breezes and ceiling fan.

They offer 20 well-appointed rooms, all new or newly refurbished – with either sea views or overlooking the garden and swimming pool. They currently have 15 air-conditioned rooms with hot water and 5 non-air-conditioned rooms with fan and cold water only. They will be going through renovations in the off-season so by the next season, all their rooms will have hot water bathrooms and new furniture and decorations. The rooms can be configured to meet your needs: single, double, twin or family. All rooms are sparklingly clean and serviced daily.

• Attached bathrooms with shower.
• Either a balcony or outdoor sitting area.
• Free Wifi internet access.
• Air-conditioning.
• Proximity to the garden and swimming pool.
• Double, twin or triple occupancy.

Deluxe Seafront Rooms:

• Full seaview.
• Attached bathrooms with shower.
• Either a balcony or outdoor sitting area.
• Free Wifi internet access.
• Proximity to the garden and swimming pool.
• Air-conditioning.
• Double or triple occupancy.

They offer a choice of 5 breakfast menus, including western and Sri Lankan options.

Drifters’ Beachfront Restaurant serves a range of Western and Sri Lankan cuisine, with seafood a specialty.

Surfing

The main break called Main Reef offers A-shaped waves and you can ride them both ways. For relaxed surfing, Beach Break offers decent left- and right-handers for beginners, while Benny’s and Inside Reef are more intense and challenging left-handers.

Drifters is opposite the Beach Break and about 300 metres south of the Main Reef Break. Guests can check out the swells of both breaks directly from the beachfront restaurant, so they don't have to leave the hotel to see if the surf is up.

Surfing lessons and hire of surfboards and boogie boards can be arranged at a surf school next door to Drifters. They work with them to provide surfing services, such as board hire and lessons, for guests.

Surf Transfers: they can take you to Midigama, Kabalana and Unawatuna for a half-day trip or to Midigama, Kabalana and Mirissa for a full-day trip. Their vehicle is an air-conditioned Toyota HiAce minivan with roof rack and the cost is per vehicle so they can take up to 6 people for the same cost. During the south coast off-season (May-Oct), they offer surfing packages to the east coast (Arugum Bay) - this can include airport pickup, one or two nights in Hikkaduwa (can see Galle, south coast) then Arugum Bay for as many nights as needed, then back to airport. Please ask us about tailored packages.

Dining

Drifters’ beachfront bar is the ideal place to cool off with an ice-cold beer or enjoy the sunset sipping a tropical fruit cocktail. Meet a friend or make one, or just sit back and watch all the action – in the surf and on the beach.

Other Activities

Other activities available in Hikkaduwa include snorkelling, scuba diving, PADI accredited diving lessons, deep sea fishing, whale watching trips.

Drifters offers a range of tailor-made tours, from one-day sightseeing or surfing trips to longer tours incorporating Sri Lanka’s cultural sites and/or adventure activities.

Disclaimer - This surf trip is an independent surf operator and is not part of or in partnership with The Perfect Wave Travel Co. The Perfect Wave acts as an agent only. We sell various travel related products on behalf of numerous transport, accommodation and other service providers, such as airlines, land based accommodation and boat charter operators. The Perfect Waves' obligation is to make travel bookings on your behalf and to arrange relevant contracts between you and travel service providers. The Perfect Wave has no responsibility for these services nor do we make or give any warranty of representation regarding their standards. All bookings are made subject to the terms and conditions and limitations of liability imposed by these service providers.

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