Author: Avantika Chaturvedi; Website; Instagram
Considering the fact that the warm tropical Indian Ocean surrounds Sri Lanka on all sides, it should then not come as a surprise that Sri Lanka is also a surf haven for surfers of all levels. With its consistent waves through most of the season, Sri Lanka has become one of the world’s most sought after and dependable surf destinations. With two distinct surf seasons, one on the southwest coast (November to April) and the other on the east coast (May to September), you can find great waves year round.
Whether you are a beginner or longboarder looking for gentle, ankle deep waves or an expert shortboarder chasing powerful reef breaks, this island nation offers a diverse range of surf spots across its almost 1500 kilometers long coastline. In this guide, we will explore the best surf spots in Sri Lanka, broken down by skill level, and help you decide where to paddle out next!
Best Surf Spots in Sri Lanka for Beginners
If you are new to surfing or looking to improve your skills, these spots offer gentle waves, sandy bottoms, and surf schools to help you catch your first wave, and help improve problem points.
Weligama
Ask anybody even remotely familiar with Sri Lanka’s surf culture and the name “Weligama” is sure to enter the conversation! Weligama is Sri Lanka’s widely popular beginner friendly surf capital. Located on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, this is a surfer’s paradise known for its consistent waves, warm waters, and a laid back vibe.
The name “Weligama” translates to “Sandy Village,” and true to its name, the wide sandy beach provides easy, gentle waves that are perfect for learning. Numerous surf schools and board rental shops line the coast, offering affordable lessons with experienced, ISA (International Surfing Association) certified instructors, making it an excellent place to start.
The waves in Weligama are consistent, but never too intimidating, allowing beginners to slowly build confidence. And while beginners catch their first waves here with ease, intermediate surfers can practice their turns and techniques in the forgiving waters.
- Best Season: November to April
- Wave Type: Small, gentle beach breaks
- Best For: Beginners, surf schools, longboarders
Hikkaduwa Beach
Hikkaduwa offers a mix of mellow beach breaks f and more challenging reef breaks. For beginners, Hikkaduwa Beach is the perfect surf spot in Sri Lanka. The main surf beach has a soft sandy bottom, making it ideal for beginners.
If you progress quickly, you can test yourself on the more advanced waves nearby such as such as Main Reef, Benny’s, and North Jetty. These spots produce powerful, fast waves, ideal for carving and big turns.
During peak surf season, the waves are clean and the surf conditions are at their best. The offshore winds create smooth, rideable waves, making it a prime time to visit. Even during the off season, swells can still be found, though conditions may be less predictable.
- Best Season: November to April
- Wave Type: Small beach breaks
- Best For: Beginners and intermediates
Hiriketiya Beach
Hiriketiya Beach, often called just “Hiri” by locals and travellers, is a stunning horseshoe shaped bay on Sri Lanka’s south coast. The bay is known for its consistent waves, offering a perfect mix of beginner friendly waves and challenging reef breaks, which makes it an excellent year round surf destination. For beginners, can the gentle white water waves near the shore are perfect to practice on.
One of Hiriketiya’s biggest draws is its relaxed, bohemian vibe. Unlike busier surf spots like Weligama or Hikkaduwa, Hiriketiya retains a more intimate and chilled atmosphere. The beachfront is lined with small cafés, juice bars, and eco friendly accommodations, creating a surf community that blends adventure with wellness and relaxation.
- Best Season: November to April
- Wave Type: Beach breaks and reef breaks
- Best For: Beginners and intermediates
Read more: Hiriketiya: Sri Lanka’s Surfing Paradise & Creative Haven
Bentota
Bentota is a serene beach town on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast, and an excellent spot for those looking to enjoy a mix of surfing, relaxation, and natural beauty. While it may not be as famous as Hikkaduwa or Weligama for surfing, Bentota offers a quieter alternative with uncrowded waves and a truly relaxed atmosphere.
The surf in Bentota is best suited for beginners with a beach break providing soft, rolling waves that are perfect for learning how to paddle, pop up, and ride. Several surf schools operate along the shore, offering lessons and board rentals at reasonable prices.
- Best Season: November to April
- Wave Type: Gentle beach breaks
- Best For: Beginners
Best Surf Spots in Sri Lanka for Intermediate Surfers
If you are comfortable catching waves and want to up your game with a bit more challenge, these intermediate surf spots in Sri Lanka offer bigger swells and some reef breaks without being too intimidating.
Midigama
Midigama is a small coastal village on Sri Lanka’s south coast and is a dream destination for surfers looking for uncrowded waves and a relaxed atmosphere. Unlike the more commercialized surf towns of Weligama and Hikkaduwa, Midigama retains a quiet charm, making it a perfect spot for those seeking a more authentic surf experience in Sri Lanka.
The area is known for its excellent reef breaks, making it a haven for intermediate and advanced surfers. The waves here are smooth, predictable, and perfect for those looking to transition from beach breaks to reef breaks.
The most famous surf spots in Midigama include Lazy Left, a long, mellow left hand wave perfect for stylish turns, and Lazy Right, a shorter, punchier right hander that is great for quick manoeuvres.
For those looking for even more challenging rides, Coconut Point delivers fast, barreling rides, while Rams Right is a powerful reef break best suited for experienced surfers. Whether you are chasing barrels or perfecting your cutbacks, this hidden gem offers an unforgettable surfing experience in a tropical paradise.
Beyond its surf culture, Midigama has a handful of cosy cafés, beachfront guesthouses, and yoga studios, catering to the “surf and relax” lifestyle. Nearby, you can explore the lively town of Weligama, take a short tuktuk ride to Mirissa’s nightlife, or visit the iconic stilt fishermen of Ahangama.
- Best Season: November to April
- Wave Type: Reef breaks, lefts, and rights
- Best For: Intermediate surfers progressing to reefs
Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay, located on the east coast, is the most famous surf spot in Sri Lanka, attracting wave riders from around the world. Known for its world class righthand point breaks in warm waters, Arugam Bay is a holy pilgrimage for any passionate surfer.
The bay’s most iconic surf spot is Main Point, a powerful, long, peeling right hander that breaks over a reef, offering fast and hollow rides, perfect for honing your turns and getting into a rhythm. While the takeoff can be tricky, the wave mellows out, making it great for intermediate surfers looking to improve. This wave is best suited for intermediate and advanced surfers looking for an adrenaline pumping challenge.
For those seeking a more relaxed experience, Baby Point, located nearby, provides smaller, beginner friendly waves perfect for learning and improving technique. Whiskey Point and Peanut Farm offer fun, consistent waves and a more mellow atmosphere. Elephant Rock is another scenic surf break where you can sometimes spot elephants wandering along the shoreline.
During peak season, the waves in Arugam Bay can reach up to 6 feet, drawing professional surfers and enthusiasts alike.
- Best Season: May to September
- Wave Type: Long right hand point break
- Best For: Intermediate to advanced surfers
Unawatuna
While Unawatuna itself is not the top surfing destination in Sri Lanka, it offers small, beginner and intermediate friendly waves, and is a great base for exploring nearby surf breaks.
The main surf spot in Unawatuna is Dalawella Beach, where gentle waves roll over a sandy bottom, making it ideal for beginners. Several surf schools operate here, offering lessons and board rentals. For those looking for slightly bigger waves, Dewata Beach, just a short ride away, provides a more consistent break that is great for both beginners and intermediate surfers.
- Best Season: November to April
- Wave Type: Small reef and beach break combo
- Best For: Intermediate surfers
Best Surf Spots for Advanced Surfers
For those looking for serious waves, hollow barrels, and powerful reef breaks, these are the best surf spots in Sri Lanka to let it rip!
Midigama (Rams Right)
Rams Right is a fast, shallow right hand reef break that offers hollow sections and occasional barrels. Rams Right is easily one of the best reef breaks in Sri Lanka, delivering short but intense rides, making it a favourite among advanced surfers.
On a good day, surfers can expect head high waves with fast, punchy walls, perfect for deep barrels and high performance manoeuvres. The reef is sharp, and mistimed takeoffs can lead to a rough wipeout, so it is best suited for those with solid experience and confidence in reef surfing.
The lineup can get busy, but with a respectful surf culture, there’s usually room for everyone. If you are an experienced surfer looking for adrenaline, this is one of the best waves in Sri Lanka.
- Best Season: November to April
- Wave Type: Fast right hand reef break
- Best For: Advanced surfers only
Arugam Bay (Main Point)
Main Point at Arugam Bay can serve intermediate surfers, but when the swell picks up, it becomes a dream wave for advanced riders. The wave can hold up to 6 feet and offers long rides with plenty of opportunity for carving, powerful turns, and the chance to score deep barrels.
Breaking over a reef, the take off at Main Point is steep, leading into a fast, hollow section, followed by a more open face, ideal for carving turns and cutbacks. The reef below is relatively forgiving compared to other breaks, but caution is still needed, especially on lower tides.
While the lineup can get busy, the wave offers long rides, allowing multiple surfers to enjoy a session without excessive crowding.
- Best Season: May to September
- Wave Type: Long, powerful right hand point break
- Best For: Intermediate to advanced surfers
Okanda
Okanda, a truly hidden gem on the southeast coast close to Arugam Bay, offers a wild and uncrowded surfing experience in Sri Lanka for adventurous wave riders. Located near Kumana National Park, this remote surf break is known for its powerful right hand point break and pristine natural surroundings.
The waves at Okanda are best suited for advanced surfers, as the break can be fast, steep, and challenging. The wave peels over a rocky reef, producing long rides with hollow sections and powerful walls perfect for big turns and barrels. Since it’s a lesser known spot, crowds are also minimal, allowing surfers to enjoy empty lineups and untouched waves.
Beyond surfing, Okanda’s raw beauty is a major draw. Surrounded by dense jungle and wildlife, it is common to spot elephants, peacocks, and deer on the way to the beach. If you are looking for a truly offbeat surf adventure in Sri Lanka, Okanda is the place to be!
- Best Season: May to September
- Wave Type: Heavy right hand point break
- Best For: Advanced surfers
Best Time to Surf in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka offers year round surfing, thanks to the country’s two distinct monsoon seasons on each coast. The southwest coast (Weligama, Hikkaduwa, Midigama, Unawatuna) is best from November to April, when offshore winds and clean swells create ideal conditions. The east coast (Arugam Bay, Okanda, Peanut Farm) sees its best waves from May to October, with consistent swells and dry weather.
Beginners can find small, manageable waves year round, while experienced surfers can chase bigger swells during peak months. With warm waters, tropical scenery, and world class breaks, Sri Lanka is a top surfing destination no matter the season.
Sri Lanka Surf Culture and Where to Stay
Sri Lanka has a growing surf culture, and many surf camps cater to different levels of surfers. Some of the best places to stay for a surf trip include:
- Weligama: Budget friendly surf hostels and schools
- Midigama: Chill surf lodges and guesthouses
- Arugam Bay: A mix of backpacker friendly stays and luxury beachfront resorts
For those looking to combine surfing with yoga, many retreats also offer packages that include both.
FAQs
The best place to surf in Sri Lanka depends on the season and skill level. Arugam Bay, on the east coast, is the country’s most famous surf destination, offering world class right hand point breaks like Main Point, Whiskey Point, and Peanut Farm. On the southwest coast, spots like Weligama, Hikkaduwa and Midigama provide excellent waves for all levels, with reef and beach breaks. For those seeking uncrowded waves, Okanda and Kabalana are great alternatives.
Arugam Bay is widely considered the surfing capital of Sri Lanka. Located on the east coast, it is famous for its consistent right hand point breaks, attracting surfers from around the world. Main Point, the most well known wave, offers long, fast rides ideal for intermediate and advanced surfers, while Whiskey Point and Peanut Farm cater to all skill levels. The peak surf season from May to October also sees international competitions and a lively surf community, solidifying its reputation as the best surf spot in Sri Lanka.
The best month to surf in Sri Lanka depends on the region. On the southwest coast (Hikkaduwa, Weligama, Midigama), December to March offers the best conditions with offshore winds and clean swells. On the east coast (Arugam Bay, Okanda, Peanut Farm), June to August is ideal, with consistent waves and dry weather. May and October serve as transition months when both coasts can have surfable waves.
Yes, Sri Lanka is generally safe for surfing, with warm waters, manageable waves, and friendly surf communities. Beginners should stick to sandy beach breaks like Weligama or Baby Point in Arugam Bay. Reef breaks, such as Rams Right and Main Point, require caution due to shallow reefs. Rip currents exist but are manageable with awareness and it is advisable to not go surfing during monsoon seasons due to rough seas and strong currents.
You might also consider downloading the Tuktukrental Travel App. It features offline maps, offbeat recommendations and even helps fellow tuktuk-ers on the road connect for information or just a few post drive beers – or the local Sri Lankan arrack if you are feeling adventurous!
