Dickwella

Is Dickwella worth visiting?

Quick answer: Yes, as a short stop or a quiet base next to Hiriketiya. Dickwella is a south coast town between Matara and Tangalle, and it has two sights worth a detour: the Hummanaya blowhole, about 7 km east, which is best at high tide, and the Wewurukannala temple, about 2 km inland, known for its 50 m Buddha statue. Hiriketiya's surf bay is about 2 km away.

Dickwella is a working town on the main coast road, not a resort. Most travellers now stay in Hiriketiya, the small surf bay just to the east. Dickwella is where you come for errands, buses and the two sights below.

What is the Hummanaya blowhole?

The Southern Province tourism board describes Hummanaya as "one of Sri Lanka's most remarkable natural attractions" and calls it the second-largest blowhole in the world. Waves have worn a tunnel into the rocks. When the tide is right, water is forced through it and shoots into the air. The board says the jets can reach up to 25 metres, and that the name comes from a Sinhala word for the humming or blowing sound the water makes.

Practical points from the board's page:

• Best time. High tide, or rough seas. Check a tide table before you go, because at low tide on a calm day the blowhole may barely move.
• Viewing. A viewing platform with safety barriers, a short walk from the entrance.
• Facilities. A few small stalls sell snacks, drinks and souvenirs. Local guides are available.

The board places Hummanaya "in the town of Dikwella, about 20 kilometers from Matara". OpenStreetMap places it in Kudawella, just across the line in Hambantota District, about 7 km by road from Dickwella. Either way, it is a short tuk-tuk ride.

Stay behind the barriers. Rocks near a blowhole are wet and slippery, and a big wave can arrive without warning.

What is Wewurukannala temple?

Wewurukannala is a Buddhist temple about 2 km from Dickwella town. The Southern Province tourism board says the temple dates from the 17th century and that its giant Buddha statue, about 50 metres tall, was built in the 20th century. It describes murals of the Buddha's life inside the temple and a lake beside it. The board lists entry as free, with donations welcome.

The board's page also includes some details we could not confirm from another source on the day, so we leave them out. Go and see for yourself, and ask at the temple about anything you want to visit inside.

Dress and behaviour. The UK government's travel advice says to cover your legs and shoulders, take off shoes and hats, and not to pose for photos standing in front of a Buddha statue. See visiting sacred sites.

How far is Dickwella from other places?

OpenStreetMap routes with no traffic, checked on 26 October 2026, with the tuk-tuk fare the Western Province rate would give as a benchmark (Dickwella is outside that province, so agree a price first):

The benchmark uses Rs 110 for the first km and Rs 90 for each km after, explained in our tuk-tuk fares guide. Times are with no traffic; real journeys take longer.

How do you get to Dickwella by bus?

Dickwella is on the coast road between Matara and Tangalle. The National Transport Commission's fare table lists these long-distance routes on that coast:

These are full-route fares. If you get off at Dickwella, you should pay less, so ask the conductor. The Southern Province tourism board says buses from Matara to Dikwella run frequently, and tuk-tuks wait in town for the last part to Hummanaya. The south coast to Colombo transport guide covers the return trip, including the expressway.

Is Dickwella a good base?

It depends on what you want:

• Choose Hiriketiya for the surf, cafes and a small-bay feel. The Hiriketiya guide covers the waves and seasons, and the Tangalle to Hiriketiya guide covers transport along this stretch.
• Choose Dickwella town if you want a town base on the bus route, with the beach still close.
• Choose Tangalle for longer, emptier beaches; see Tangalle.

The south coast's main beach season is roughly December to April. For month-by-month planning, see the best time to visit guide and the south coast itinerary.

What else is nearby?

• Hiriketiya. The surf bay next door, 2 km away.
• Rekawa and Tangalle. Turtle-nesting beaches further east, past Tangalle.
• Mirissa and Weligama. Whale season and bigger beach towns about 30 to 40 minutes west. See Mirissa.