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Best Surf Spots on the south & east coast
sri lanka
Surf's up!
When to surf in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka is a small teardrop shaped island, formally known as Ceylon, in the Indian Ocean just below India. It is a paradise for all sorts of travelers, with jaw-dropping architecture, delicious food, magnificent landscapes, cascading waterfalls, world class surf spots and a tropical climate. Where wide, friendly smiles await you on your Sri Lanka surf holiday.
Like all equatorial countries, Sri Lanka has two seasons: the monsoon season and the dry season. While the monsoon is lashing one side of the island, the endless beaches on the opposite coastline stretch out under the tropical sun. This means it will always be sunny with good waves somewhere on the island, no matter what time of year you visit.
October – April is the South Coast’s dry Season, and April – October is the East Coast’s dry Season. So, whether you’re thinking of celebrating your summer in the tropics, or ditching the Northern Hemisphere winter for warmer climes, you can come visit us in Weligama.
Where to surf in Sri Lanka?
South Coast
Sri Lanka’s surf culture has been built up around the South Coast. There is a wide variety of waves to choose from in and around all the major Southern surf cities (Hikkaduwa, Ahangama, Weligama, and Dikwella). These breaks come in all shapes and sizes, from 2ft beach breaks which are perfect to learn on, to advanced 10ft reef-breaks, and everything in between.
Weligama Bay is known for being the best surf spot for beginners to learn how to surf and hone their skills, If you’re a more intermediate/advanced surfer and are looking for more challenging, the reef-breaks in Midigama and Mirissa are a quick 10-minute tuk-tuk/scooter ride away. You’re guaranteed to score some epic waves.
East Coast
Anyone who has ever surfed in Sri Lanka will surely have heard about Arugam Bay. It is by far the most famous surf destination on the East Coast. well known for its pumping right-hand reef
and point-breaks. It truly is the jewel in the crown of the island’s impressive surf beach roster. Where you can experience world-class breaks to beginner friendly smooth rides.
Well known beginner-friendly surf spots around Arugam Bay include Baby point, Whiskey Point, and (further south) the wild and distant Okanda, where the crowds thin out.
Best Surf Spots in South Coast
Weligama
Main Point
The best beginner-friendly wave in the Weligama area. This sand bottom beach break is a short 5–10 minute walk from Weligama’s town centre. It picks up loads of swell, and is great for every level of surfer.
Island spot
This spot goes into hibernation during the dry season, but from May-October, it wakes up and starts to fire. It’s a great spot for beginners to learn, and can provide some amazing, long walls when the right swell comes through.
Fisherman's
Be prepared for the longest paddle out on the whole South Coast! We recommend going out with a knowledgeable local surfer who can help you navigate the 400-600 metre paddle through the reefs and coral heads.
This leisurely right-hand reef-break is suitable for intermediate to advanced surfers, and can provide long, high quality waves up to 5/6ft.
JungleBeach
This tranquil and beautiful spot is tucked away from the main road, so you’ll need to ask for directions to help you find it. Alternatively, look for “Eraeliya Villa” and you should end up at the right place.
The main left-hand break holds up to 5-7ft of swell, and provides long rides over a deep reef. But don’t get too comfortable, as the reef has a handful of shallow sections that can catch you off guard if you don’t pay attention. This spot is recommended for Intermediate-advanced surfers.
Midigama
Coconut
This A-framed reef-break dishes up fast, hollow waves that can provide fun, yet challenging rides. Watch out though, the waves can start to close out over the shallow end section when conditions get bigger. This spot is not beginner friendly at all, and we highly advise you go with an experienced surf guide for your first time to help you navigate the nasty reef and tricky entry point.
Plantation
One of the best reef-breaks when a big swell pulls through, Plantation offers fun waves for intermediate-advanced surfers. The rights are usually the better option, but the lefts occasionally provide some good rides that break close to the rocks, so keep a look out for those. The entry/exit point can be a bit tricky to navigate for first timers, so it’s better to go with a guide if it’s your first time.
Lazy Left
A gentle, peeling left, with long flowing sections, and an easy paddle out.
This wave works better on a bigger swell, and is ideal for intermediate-advanced surfers, or those who are looking to surf their first reef-break.
Lazy Right
Under normal conditions, this mellow, long right-hander breaks over a deep reef. It’s a perfect spot for beginners looking for their first reef-break surfing experience, and a paradise for classic long boarders. When a solid swell comes through, and conditions get a bit bigger, you can expect to see large stretched out walls with some decent power in them.
Rams
One of the most advanced surf spots in Midigama, and definitely not for beginners. Rams is well known for it’s
barrelling right-handers, and can be a world-class wave when a solid swell and offshore winds come together. Beware the shallow, razor sharp reef, and steep take off.
Mirissa
Beach Break
This spot is great for beginners to practice their skills, with a long white wash that runs all the way to the shore. You can even do some boogie boarding as well. The waves here rarely get bigger than 4ft, but do keep in mind that this spot gets crowded in the afternoons.
The point
“The Point” in Mirissa is one of the most picturesque surf spots on the South Coast. The gentle right-hand point-break is ideal for intermediate surfers, however be warned! There are plenty of sea urchins, and the sharp reef can be very shallow at low tide.
Ahangama
Sion
Formally know as “Devil’s Rock”, this spot is not easily visible from the main road, so keep a look out for Sion Surf Camp, and you’ll find it pretty easily. There are great lefts and rights that break here that can hold up to 4-6ft of swell , and provide long rides. Watch out though, you don’t want to step on an urchin!
Marshmallow
Also known as “Insight”, you can’t miss this spot. Simply look for Insight resort, and you’re there. A really good place if you’re looking to tackle your first reef-break. This long, smooth ride is also a great place for longboarding.
Fish Sticks
A lovely left-hander for advanced surfers. Beware the shallow reef and tricky entry point.
Madiha
Madiha Left/ Right
This is one of the best reef-breaks in the region, and only recommended for more advanced surfers. Some areas of the reef are very shallow, so being able to do a flat duck dive is key for helping you escape to safety if you get caught inside. Look out for sea urchins at the entry point.
Kabalana
The Rock
The best A-frame reef-break in Sri Lanka. It generally has good power and holds up to 8-10ft waves. Keep an eye on the left’s end section which can get quite shallow. This spot is recommended for advanced surfers, but the beach break just to the North is great for longboarding.
Hikkaduwa
Main Reef/ Benny's
Beach Break
Hikkaduwa has three main breaks: A beach break for beginners: the powerful main reef-break in the middle of the bay, which can get very crowded and is only recommended for advanced surfers; and Benny’s, a left- hand reef-break that works well when the waves get over 6ft. Benny’s is also only recommended for more advanced surfers.
Dickwella
Hiriketiya/ Blue Beach
A lovely, intermediate-to-advanced reef-bottomed point- break. It is a very popular and picturesque bay, so the line- up can get busy. There is a powerful left-hander that holds up to 6-8ft waves. The closer you get to the beach, the shallower it gets, so watch out for the coral pinnacles and sea urchins. If this doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, you can move further down the beach to the sand-bottomed break and catch some fun, gentle waves.