What is the current status of the Hikkaduwa Coral Sanctuary in Sri Lanka?

Ah, speaking of Hikkaduwa's coral sanctuary, it's actually a somewhat bittersweet topic. I'll try to explain the current situation in plain language.

Simply put, Hikkaduwa's coral sanctuary is a shadow of its former self, and one could even say it has severely deteriorated. If you go there expecting to see a vibrant, colorful underwater world teeming with fish, you'll likely be very disappointed.

So, what exactly happened? There are several main reasons:

1. The 2004 tsunami was a fatal blow. This is the primary reason. That tsunami caused devastating physical damage to the shallow coral reefs in the area. You can imagine huge waves carrying sand, rocks, and debris, rolling over the corals like a bulldozer, smashing and burying many delicate corals directly. It takes a very, very long time for an ecosystem to recover from a disaster of this magnitude.

2. Coral bleaching caused by global warming. You might have heard this term. Simply put, when sea temperatures rise, corals 'get sick,' expelling the algae that provide them with color and nutrients, and then turn white themselves. This is 'bleaching.' If the water temperature doesn't drop, these bleached corals will eventually die. Hikkaduwa's coral reefs have also experienced several such high-temperature events over the past few years.

3. Impact of human activities. Hikkaduwa is a very popular tourist destination, and with more people, problems arise:

   • Unintentional damage by tourists: Many tourists, while snorkeling, unconsciously stand on or touch the corals. It's important to know that corals are very fragile creatures, and stepping on or touching them causes immense damage.
   • Problems with glass-bottom boats: In the past, many glass-bottom boats would get very close to the corals to give tourists a better view, and sometimes even drop their anchors directly onto the coral reefs, destroying large areas.
   • Pollution: Domestic sewage discharge from surrounding hotels and restaurants, as well as certain chemicals in sunscreens used by tourists, pollute the seawater and affect the coral's growth environment.

So, what can you still see if you go now?

Although large areas of coral reefs have died and turned into a grayish-white 'wasteland,' it's not to say there's absolutely nothing to see.

• There are still fish! You can still see quite a few tropical fish swimming among the surviving corals and rocks; the variety is decent.
• Sea turtles are a highlight! The beach not far from the coral area has now become a prime spot for watching sea turtles. Every day, several large sea turtles swim to the shore to eat seagrass, and you can see them up close, even swim with them (but absolutely do not touch them!). This has almost become the biggest selling point for marine activities in Hikkaduwa now.
• Sparse signs of life: In some specific areas, you can still find some surviving, slowly growing corals, as well as some more resilient new corals. You'll need an experienced guide to find these.

In summary,

Hikkaduwa's coral sanctuary is a regrettable example, showing us how fragile natural ecosystems are. It has transformed from a world-renowned diving destination to a place that now primarily relies on sea turtles to attract tourists; the change is truly significant.

Therefore, if you plan to visit Hikkaduwa, my advice is: please adjust your expectations. Don't imagine it as a coral paradise like the Maldives. You can treat it as an experience to see the lovely sea turtles and enjoy the South Asian beach vibe. At the same time, view it as a living environmental lesson, witnessing firsthand the impact of human activities and natural disasters on the ocean, reminding us how crucial environmental protection is.

When snorkeling or taking a boat trip, please be sure to choose responsible operators, and always remember: look but don't touch, leave only footprints, and take only pictures.