Author: Avantika Chaturvedi; Website; Instagram
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Sri Lanka is surrounded by the warm tropical Indian Ocean. Consequently, it’s no surprise that the island is a surf haven for all skill levels. The country offers consistent waves for most of the year. As a result, Sri Lanka has become one of the world’s most dependable surf destinations. In fact, it has two distinct surf seasons. The southwest coast is best from November to April, while the east coast shines from May to September. This means you can find great waves all year round.
Best Surf Spots in Sri Lanka for Beginners
Ask anyone about Sri Lanka’s surf culture, and they will mention Weligama. In fact, Weligama is the island’s popular, beginner-friendly surf capital. It is located on the southern coast. This spot is a surfer’s paradise known for its consistent waves, warm water, and laid-back vibe.
Weligama
The name “Weligama” actually translates to “Sandy Village.” True to its name, the wide beach provides easy, gentle waves perfect for learning. Moreover, numerous surf schools and board rental shops line the coast. They offer affordable lessons with experienced, ISA-certified instructors, making it an excellent place to start. The waves here are consistent but never too intimidating. Therefore, beginners can slowly build confidence. Intermediate surfers can also practice their turns in these forgiving waters.
Best Season: November to April
Wave Type: Small, gentle beach breaks
Best For: Beginners, surf schools, longboarders
Hikkaduwa Beach
Hikkaduwa offers a great mix of waves. For beginners, the main beach break is the perfect surf spot. It has a soft, sandy bottom, which is ideal for learning. As you progress, you can test yourself on more advanced waves nearby. For instance, spots like Main Reef, Benny’s, and North Jetty produce powerful, fast waves. These are ideal for carving and big turns.
Best Season: November to April
Wave Type: Small beach breaks
Best For: Beginners and intermediates
Hiriketiya Beach
Hiriketiya Beach, or “Hiri,” is a stunning horseshoe-shaped bay on the south coast. The bay is known for its consistent surf. It offers a perfect mix of beginner-friendly waves and challenging reef breaks. This makes it an excellent year-round destination. For beginners, the gentle white-water waves near the shore are perfect to practice on.
Best Season: November to April
Wave Type: Beach breaks and reef breaks
Best For: Beginners and intermediates
Bentota
Bentota is a serene beach town on the southwest coast. It is an excellent spot if you want to mix surfing with relaxation. While not as famous for surfing as other towns, Bentota offers a quieter alternative. It has uncrowded waves and a truly relaxed atmosphere. The surf here is best for beginners. For example, a beach break provides soft, rolling waves perfect for learning to paddle and pop up. Furthermore, several surf schools operate along the shore, offering lessons and 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
Are you comfortable catching waves? If you want to up your game with more challenge, these spots are for you. Specifically, these intermediate locations 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. It’s a dream destination for surfers seeking uncrowded waves and a relaxed vibe. Unlike more commercial towns, Midigama retains a quiet charm. Consequently, it’s perfect for those who want a more authentic Sri Lankan surf experience. The area is known for its excellent reef breaks. This makes it a haven for intermediate and advanced surfers. In addition, the waves here are smooth and predictable. They are perfect for surfers transitioning from beach breaks to reef breaks.
Best Season: November to April
Wave Type: Reef breaks, lefts, and rights
Best For: Intermediate surfers progressing to reefs
Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay, on the east coast, is Sri Lanka’s most famous surf spot. It attracts wave riders from all over the world. Known for its world-class right-hand point breaks, Arugam Bay is a holy pilgrimage for any passionate surfer.
The bay’s most iconic spot is Main Point. It is a powerful, long, peeling right-hander that breaks over a reef. The wave offers fast and hollow rides, which are perfect for honing your turns. While the takeoff can be tricky, the wave mellows out. This makes it great for intermediate surfers.
Best Season: May to September
Wave Type: Long right-hand point break
Best For: Intermediate to advanced surfers
Unawatuna
While Unawatuna itself isn’t a top surf destination, it offers some friendly waves. More importantly, it is a great base for exploring nearby breaks. The main surf spot is Dalawella Beach. Here, gentle waves roll over a sandy bottom, making it ideal for beginners. For slightly bigger waves, Dewata Beach is a short ride away. This spot provides a more consistent break for both beginners and intermediates.
Best Season: November to April
Wave Type: Small reef and beach break combo
Best For: Intermediate surfers
Best Surf Spots for Advanced Surfers
Are you looking for serious waves? For those seeking hollow barrels and powerful reef breaks, these are the best spots in Sri Lanka to let it rip!
Midigama (Rams Right)
Rams Right is a fast, shallow right-hand reef break. It offers hollow sections and occasional barrels. In fact, Rams Right is easily one of the best reef breaks in Sri Lanka. It delivers short but intense rides, making it a favorite among advanced surfers. On a good day, you can expect head-high waves with punchy walls. These are perfect for deep barrels and high-performance maneuvers. However, the reef is sharp. Therefore, it is best for those with solid experience in reef surfing.
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. However, when the swell picks up, it becomes a dream wave for advanced riders. The wave can hold up to 6 feet. It also offers long rides with plenty of opportunity for carving and powerful turns. You even have the chance to score deep barrels. The take-off is steep, leading into a fast, hollow section. This is followed by a more open face, which is ideal for carving.
Best Season: May to September
Wave Type: Long, powerful right-hand point break
Best For: Intermediate to advanced surfers
Okanda
Okanda is a truly hidden gem on the southeast coast near Arugam Bay. It offers a wild and uncrowded surfing experience for adventurous riders. Located near Kumana National Park, this remote spot is known for its powerful right-hand point break and pristine natural surroundings. The waves at Okanda are best for advanced surfers. For instance, the break can be fast, steep, and challenging. The wave peels over a rocky reef, producing long rides with hollow sections. Since it’s a lesser-known spot, crowds are minimal.
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. This is thanks to the country’s two distinct monsoon seasons. The southwest coast, including Weligama and Hikkaduwa, is best from November to April. During this time, offshore winds and clean swells create ideal conditions. On the other hand, the east coast, with Arugam Bay and Okanda, sees its best waves from May to October. This period brings consistent swells and dry weather. In short, beginners can find manageable waves all year, while experts can chase bigger swells during peak months.
Sri Lanka Surf Culture and Where to Stay
Sri Lanka has a growing surf culture. Consequently, many surf camps cater to different levels. Some of the best places to stay 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
Furthermore, for those looking to combine surfing with yoga, many retreats also offer packages that include both.
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!
