There have always been inviting waves for surfing, but due to the civil war, the devastating tsunami in 2004 and a simple lack of suitable infrastructure, Sri Lanka was ruled out as a surfing destination for a long time.
Since the end of the civil war, however, the tourist infrastructure has continued to expand and in recent years has been increasingly geared towards surfers, so that the country has now become one of the top destinations in Asia for surfers.
The island is particularly popular with beginners, as most of the waves break close to the beach and are more relaxed and predictable than on the Indonesian island of Bali, for example.
However, advanced surfers can also find challenging spots here with some head-high waves, even if there are no scary "big wave spots" where only professionals can stay on their boards.
Nevertheless, Sri Lanka has one of the most famous waves in the world in Arugam Bay.
The advantage is that Sri Lanka is suitable for surfing all year round, if you take the respective coastal seasons into account: From October to April, you are better off surfing in the southwest between Hikkaduwa and Tangalle and from April to October on the east coast. The water has consistently pleasant temperatures of around 27° Celsius, so you can confidently do without wetsuits in your luggage. Due to the large number of surf spots, which we will introduce to you in detail below, the spots are rarely too crowded and there is usually enough space. For beginners in particular, it's also great that most surf spots have sandy ground and tricky reef situations can be avoided.
In general, you should stick to the general surfing rules in Sri Lanka and give priority to local surfers. Many locals also surf at the advanced spots.
As a rule, the best waves on both coasts are between 6 and 9 a.m. or from 5 p.m. in the early evening. Then there is almost no wind or a gentle offshore wind. The tides have hardly any influence on the water depth in Sri Lanka, so that surfing is also possible at many spots during low tide. However, the waves are usually more promising during high tide.
Surfing on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka
Although Arugam Bay on the east coast is the most famous wave on the island, most of Sri Lanka's surf spots are in the southwest and invite you to surf between October and April
Hikkaduwa
Hikkaduwa is a coastal resort that is very popular with tourists and these crowds are naturally also found in the water and on the waves. The advantage, however, is that there are different waves for all levels. At the beach break, the waves break over sand to the right and left, making them very suitable for those who are on the surfboard for the first time. Depending on the sand conditions, the waves can also end over the reef and are therefore also interesting for more advanced surfers. The main point in Hikkaduwa is a long A-frame wave that breaks to the left. On the right, the wave breaks shorter and faster and sometimes creates great barrels.
Unawatuna - Surfing at Dewatta and Dalawella Beach
Unawatuna is best known for the two spots Dewatta Beach and Dalawella Beach. Dewatta Beach is a beginner-friendly beach break. From time to time, the swell is big enough to create good, long right or left breaking waves for advanced surfers. Dalawella Beach is more suitable for those who already have some experience on the board. The ground is rocky and the entrance is via stones at the right end of the beach.
Ahangama - The surf spot for advanced surfers
One of the well-known spots in Ahangama, Ahangama Fishsticks, is located in front of Rajith's restaurant. The locals on site can explain how to get there. It is a reef break that you should only surf if you already have advanced surfing skills. You should definitely avoid it at low tide. The A-frame "The Rock" and the Kabalana beach break are also popular with advanced surfers. Although the entry point here is over sand, the wave breaks over the reef. If the wave breaks on the left, it is one of the best on the south-west coast. The right-hand break is shorter and steeper.
Midigama - Surfing for advanced surfers
Midigama has several reef breaks, some of which are reserved for advanced surfers. As the place is very popular, it can get quite crowded on the waves in high season. The best spots in Midigama are Plantation, Lazy Left, Lazy Right and Ram's Point. Plantation is a beginner-friendly reef break. Lazy Left and Lazy Right are good for slightly more advanced beginners or longboarders. Ram's Point is a very fast and powerful wave that forms good barrels, with a reef close to the surface, so only experienced surfers should ride here.
Weligama - Surfing for beginners
Weligama has a beach break that is a good 2 kilometers long, making it the most popular surf spot in Sri Lanka for beginners. Due to the length of the spot, however, the crowds that occur at peak times are very well distributed and beginner mistakes rarely end in accidents. Advanced surfers get their money's worth here on days with slightly higher waves and otherwise head to the surrounding reefs. If you come to Weligama in the low season, you will find waves on the offshore island of Taprobane that are suitable for both beginners and advanced surfers.
Mirissa - For advanced surfers
There is no beach break in Mirissa, but there are two reef breaks, Mirissa Left and Mirissa Right, at either end of the beach. The waves here are quite short and fast. While Mirissa Left is also suitable for beginners, Mirissa Right is more suitable for those with a little more surfing experience. The entry is through the reef and can be challenging, you should definitely watch out for sea urchins.
Matara
The most famous wave in the district town of Matara is the reef break in Madiha. The peaks here break as A-frames and are somewhat more challenging, partly because the entry is via the reef, which is studded with sea urchins. However, Matara also has a beginner-friendly beach break with several peaks. Near Matara is Medawatta, where there is another beach break called Black Sands, which is popular with beginners and advanced beginners. The waves in the bay there are sometimes big and sometimes small and can break both to the right and to the left.
Hiriketiya - Learn to surf here
Surrounded by jungle, Hiriketiya Bay near Dickwela has a very beginner-friendly beach break. Many people make their first attempts at surfing here. Hiriketiya's waves can get a little crowded, but due to its structure, the bay can handle fewer surfers than wider spots. It is a little emptier at the point at the left end of the bay, where those with a little more surfing experience tend to hang out.
Surfing on the east coast of Sri Lanka
Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay is the surf spot on the east coast of Sri Lanka and some of its waves are highly regarded on the international surf scene. Sometimes the long waves form perfect barrels, sometimes they break a little more gently - every taste and every level gets its money's worth here. Arugam Bay has already hosted one or two major surfing competitions. Unfortunately, this high profile also means that it can get very crowded on the water during peak season.
As the name suggests, Main Break is the main spot in Arugam Bay and the wave that makes it internationally famous. This spot is reserved for advanced and professional surfers, who can enjoy right-breaking waves up to 500 meters long. As the reef, which consists mainly of rock, is deep enough, the risk of injury is limited.
If you already have good surfing skills and are looking for impressive overhead waves, Okanda is also a good spot for you. The longest waves on Sri Lanka's east coast can be found on a good swell at Pottuvil Point, which is a right-hand point break. The entry is not easy between the rocks, but the bottom of the wave is pleasantly sandy.
Whiskey Point is Arugam Bay's most popular spot for beginners and advanced beginners. The wave is very consistent and is often called "the magic wave" due to its reliability. The bottom is a mixture of sand and rock and the wave breaks relatively softly to the right, although not far from rocks. Unfortunately, Whiskey Point is often very crowded.
There are also good waves for beginners at the Elephant Rock and Peanut Farm spots. At the latter, it can sometimes take until the middle of the season for the sandbanks to be right. You should be careful here, as the wave breaks relatively close to rocks. You shouldn't necessarily stand on the board for the very first time at Peanut Farm.
Baby Point at the end of the main break is also very beginner-friendly. These are smaller waves over sand that run to the end of the bay.
