Beach Watch is a short video review of the beautiful beaches that surround our island nation. Come and frolic in the beach with our fun-loving souls as they explore the wonders of living on an island. 

In our debut episode, Mahilde Dratwa explores the shores and seas of Hikkaduwa. 

At Hikkaduwa, you can enjoy the sunshine on the beach - and if it gets too hot, jump into the water to cool down.  The coral and brightly coloured fish make it perfect for snorkelling.  For the more adventurous, there's a diving school which offers classes for everyone, from beginners to experienced divers - the old shipwrecks are a must!

Mathilde spoke to some tourists who had previously learned how to dive in Hikkaduwa, and were so happy with their experience that they returned for a second year to hone their underwater skills.  

Close by, the Seenigama temple sits upon its own island.  Unusually, it's a temple where victims of theft can ask for retribution - within weeks of reciting a mantra, the thief is said to suffer a misfortune.  

There are also some delightful local shops, and the famous moonstone mines where you can observe the workmen searching for gems and then polishing and shaping the stones.

Mathilde's personal favourite: speaking to factory workers about the way they burn cinnamon leaves in order to extract pure cinnamon oil.  “It smells delicious!” she says.