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Sri Lanka is a famous surfing destination that caters to all
experience levels. There are waves for learning how to stand on a surf
board and there are tubes over shallow waters!. The country has different
seasonal patterns on each side of the island; when one coast is windy,
the other is calm. Reason is Sri Lanka has an island of two halves, with the East and
West of the island experiencing different monsoon seasons, with the west
side of the island getting the best waves between November and April,
and the east between May and October. The rains take turns hitting the coast from
different directions, making Sri Lanka a year round surf option. The main surfing season for the South is from November to May : that’s when
the waves are utter perfection. The best season on the east coast is
from April to October, when the waves are longer.
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Surfing in Southern Coast of the Island
The most famous areas are Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa in the
southwest, Weligama in the south and Arugam Bay in the east. All areas
have popular as well as more hidden spots. The waves in
Sri Lanka are not the giant kind like those in Hawaii, they are smaller and longer. What makes a Sri Lanka surf
holiday so appealing to beginner surfers
is the easy accessibility to the islands waves, the large number of
sand-bottomed breaks and the super-consistent swells that bring
perfectly groomed waist to chest high waves into the breaks over 300+
days a year.
Learning Surf in Peak Season : Is it the Best Choice?
Many surfers has this obvious choice as the main advantage is that the waves
are at their most consistent. However, by learning to surf in Arugam Bay
(East coast) in August or Weligama (South coast) in January you may not
have the experience you were hoping for. The disadvantages of learning in peak season are numerous: Travelers need to book the surf schools in advance and pay a higher price. Accommodation is bit expensive. The waves are crowded it means that more risk of injury and a more stressful environment. On the other hand, if you prefer a more relaxed and
safer environment then choose off-season or the months at the start or
end of peak season.
Best Surf Spots in South Coast of Sri Lanka
To give you a helping hand, we have selected the best Surf Spots in South Coast of Sri Lanka offers and what to expect when you get
there, which you can see below:
🏄 Hikkaduwa (Aka Hikka) 🏄
On the southwest coast of the island, about 120 kilometers south of Colombo (or just 20 kilometers from Galle), is the famous party town of Hikkaduwa. Hikkaduwa is an idyllic, largely un-spoilt and palm bordered stretch of
beach. The towns rich surf history, beautiful beaches and consistent
waves make it a must-do for all surfers in Sri Lanka. When you're
feeling like resting in between surf sessions this is the idyllic spot
to grab a coconut, relax, sit back and take it all in. There is always something happening in Hikka!
Surfing in Hikkaduwa Beach Break
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Where: Galle district, South-West Sri Lanka (See the location below map)
Beach: Picture perfect long beach that is fringed by coconut trees and food & drink stalls.
Type: Beach break walls that form slowly and peel slowly towards the shore.
Best Time: October to April.
Weather: Highs of 33ºC, night-time lows of 24ºC.🌞
👉 Best Surf Spots in Hikkaduwa 👈
Bennys point : A left hander reef break preferred by experienced surfers when the waves are over 6 feat.
Main reef : Left and right handers over a deeper reef, good and relatively safe for all levels.
North jetty : Long left handers with a reef break by the harbor wall.
Hikkaduwa beach break : The favorite with beginners, safe shore and reef break.
Hikkaduwa Beach
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🏄 Owakanda (Rathgama) 🏄
Owakanda, Rathgama is located nearby Galle road about 8 kilometers south of Hikkaduwa, 12 kilometers north of Galle. Its a good place to to if you are finding Hikkadwa breaks overcrowded, which they tend to be peak season. There are three surf breaks at Owakanda next to each other. The beach break, a reef break and a beginners point near the reef. Owakanda Surf point is an uncrowded, low power, left reef break. Consistent and holds to 5 feat with a 200 meter ride. The reef is quite deep so suitable for all levels. Some good seafood restaurants on the beach if you get peckish. And it is a fairly exposed point break that has unreliable waves. The surf tends to be best in the spring. Works best in offshore winds from the north northwest. Most of the surf here comes from groundswells and the best swell direction is from the southwest.
Where: Galle district, South-West Sri Lanka (See the location below map)
Beach: Less crowded clean beach with some good seafood restaurants on the beach.
Type: The reef is quite deep so suitable for all levels.
Best Time: October to April.
Weather: Highs of 33ºC, night-time lows of 24ºC. 🌞
Owakanda Reef Break
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🏄 Unawatuna (Aka Una) 🏄
Another unmissable beach for surfers, this is the ideal place to fall
in love with the thrilling sport. Conveniently located just around the
corner from Galle, you stand a good chance of having the place to
yourself, or sharing with only a few of the local surfers. It is Unawatuna bay, it’s more like a family surfing vacation destination. Then night life is not as prominent as that in Hikkaduwa but the waves are a great nonetheless. Also a vibrant diving community with a good range of excellent dive points and schools. Unawatuna is popular beach for traditional holiday makers, sun worshipers, snorkeling, spear fishing and local tour companies. Some great restaurants and bars, Happy Banana night club.
Surfing in Nalu Surf School Unawatuna Beach Break
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Where: Galle district, South-West Sri Lanka (See the location below map)
Beach: Picture perfect long beach that is fringed by coconut trees and food & drink stalls.
Type: Beach break walls that form slowly and peel slowly towards the shore.
Best Time: October to April.
Weather: Highs of 33ºC, night-time lows of 24ºC. 🌞
👉 Best Surf Points around Unawatuna 👈
Unawatuna beach break : Unawatuna has great beginner waves right on the beach but the man-made reef that protects the messes with the natural order of the waves.Dalawella reef : Dalawella is a left breaker over a reef with coral, rocks and urchins.
Bonavista bay : Wave between 3 feat and 5 feat with the right swell.
Unawatuna Beach
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🏄 Ahangama 🏄
Among the best beginner spots in Sri Lanka is Kabalana beach break. It's a perfect place for novices to hone their skills in the white waters before moving on to some of the more advanced sites such as Kabalana Rock Point. Just down the road from Ahangama, the waves at Kabalana can handle a bit of swell. There are a few surf schools around who can look after you, but we'd recommend heading to Lapoint surf camp - they'll find the perfect waves for you to learn on.
Surfing in Sion Surf School Ahangama Beach
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Where: Galle district, Southern Sri Lanka (See the location below map)
Beach: Perfect place for novices to hone their skills in the white waters.
Type: Left and
right beach break peaks that offer mellow rides and it also a best beginner surf spot.
Best Time: October to April.
Weather: lows of 22ºC during the night to
highs of 33ºC during the day. The sea water fluctuates between 27 - 29ºC year round. 🌞
👉 Best Surf Points around Ahangama 👈
Kabalana beach break : Kabalana is great for beginners right at the
shore with frothy small waves but the main point has a rip current and
there are no lifeguards.
Sticks break - Kathaluwa : Between South Beach and Kabalana there is a lovely left for advanced surfers. Shallow reef, long boarders and beginners have a deep reef at South beach.
South beach : Just a bit north of
Kabalana is South beach with a good long board wave.
Rajitha surf point : Just south of the Ahangama fishing poles you can find Rajitha Surf Point. Peeling classic A-frame holds up to 5 feat with up to 350 meter rides. Intermediate reef break.
Sion surf point (Devil's rock) : Devil's Rock is a great intermediate reef break with both left and rights, holds to 5-6 feat and 350 meter rides.
Kabalana Beach Break
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🏄 Midigama 🏄
Midigama Located in the district of Matara, and it is a laid back village and well known surf spot in down south Sri Lanka. Also known as Lazy left, it’s the goofy footer’s paradise due to its long left rides, barrels, & easy entry. Wave height can go up to 6 feet during most of the season. You should take special care while riding the waves as rocks in your way can damage you and your precious board. The wave is perfect for long-boarding and Stand Up Paddlers (SUP).
Surfing in Midigama Beach
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Beach: 2 kilometer sandy beach that mixes local heritage with tourism perfectly and is unrivaled in beauty.
Type: Left and right beach break peaks that offer mellow rides, this makes best beginner surf spot.
Best Time: October to April.
Weather: Temperatures ranging from lows of 22ºC during the night to highs of 33ºC during the day. 🌞
👉 Best Surf Spots around Midigama 👈
Lazy Left : Just a
little north of Weligama is Midigama with three great points. The Lazy
Left is better in the afternoons and a favorite with goofy riders. Lazy Right : The Lazy Right is close to the road and has a shallow reef break.
Rams Right : Rams Right is for more advanced surfers, with some barrels and short and tight breaks.
Gurubebila Coconut point : Plantation Point is great for early morning rides with both lefts and rights.
Gurubebila Plantation point : It’s a rocky entry but is easier to ride than Coconut which is a classic A-Frame formation better suited for experienced surfers.
Midigama Lazy Right
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🏄 Weligama 🏄
Weligama has good waves all year round and is another favorite for beginners and intermediate surfers. There is the main beach break on the main beach and there are little beaches along the bay, each with their own waves. The two kilometer main beach has a row of surfing schools with plenty of boards for rent. The waves are usually easy to learn on and can get a bit bigger for the intermediate level surfers. Energetic
blend of locals and tourists make for a fun holiday environment whilst
still holding onto its peaceful charm and history. Watch the famous
stilt fisherman go about their business whilst sipping on a mango lasso
in between surf sessions.
Weligama Beach Break
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Where: Matara district, Southern Sri Lanka (See the location below map)
Beach: 2 kilometer
sandy beach that mixes local heritage with tourism perfectly and is
unrivaled in beauty.
Type: Left and
right beach break peaks that offer mellow rides that make this one of,
if not, the best beginner surf spot Sri Lanka has.
Best Time: October to April
Weather: Temperatures ranging from lows of 22ºC during the night to
highs of 33ºC during the day. The sea water fluctuates between 27 - 29ºC
year round. 🌞
👉 Best Surf Spots around Weligama 👈
Weligama beach break
: Weligama beach break has great beginner waves right on the beach but the
man-made reef that protects the temple messes with the natural order of
the waves.
Weligama, Fisherman’s reef : Peeling 300 meter right break that holds between 3 and 5
feat, works well in a big swell. 800 meter paddle out from a beach entry
point, near Weligama harbor across very shallow reef. Possible to pay a
fisherman to take you up to the point.Jungle beach : Located near Cape Weligama hotel. The left holds to 7 feat with, long 500 meter rides.
Pelena beach : Pelena beach break with longer left and right rides, up to 350 meter. Normal holds 4-5 feat can jack up in a big swell and becomes a wall of wave across the beach.
Surfing in Weligama Beach Break
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🏄 Mirissa 🏄
Mirissa Beach is undoubtedly one of the best beginner surf spots in Sri Lanka. It's a beautiful, crescent-shaped beach with soft sand and pineapple trees all around. This cool and relaxed tropical surf-spot is the perfect place for newbies to improve their skills surfing on the reef. Often regarded as one of Sri Lanka's best secrets, Mirissa is one of the
best places to forget about the trappings of the modern world as you
gently rock in your hammock in the afternoon breezes. The area is also
famous for its whale watching, where you can spot migrating blue, sperm,
bryde and fin whales as well as dolphins. There are both left and right handers in this bay and it’s mostly for
intermediate and advanced surfers.
Surfing in Mirissa Beach Break
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Where : Matara district, Southern Sri Lanka (See the location below map)
Beach : Stretch of beach that boasts some of the most turquoise and crystal clear waters you can get, that are framed by green palms and lush grasses.
Type : Mellow right hand reef break that is the perfect introduction to reef breaks as it peels slowly and breaks over deep water.
Best Time : October to April.
Weather : Lows of 23ºC and daytime highs of 31ºC. Sea temperature hovers around 28ºC. 🌞
👉 Best Surf Spots around Mirissa 👈
Mirissa beach break
: Mirissa has great beginner waves right on the beach but the
man-made reef that protects the temple messes with the natural order of
the waves.
Mirissa Beach
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🏄 Madiha 🏄
Madiha beach is one of Sri Lanka's best kept surfing secrets. Nestled on the southernmost tip outside of Matara, it's all-year swell and lack of crowds makes it a flawless spot for learning to jump on a board. The nearby Turtle Point is also an excellent place to get started. Furthermore, beneath the sparkling ocean lies an underwater paradise just waiting to be discovered - so be sure to bring a snorkel along if you have one. For more information, we recommend getting in touch with Madiha Surf Club.
Madhia Surf school
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Where : Matara district, Southern Sri Lanka (See the location below map)
Beach
: Quiet stretch of beach that boasts some of the most turquoise and
crystal clear waters you can get, that are framed by green palms and
lush grasses.
Type : Consistent swell, 350 meter rides, reef break, suitable for intermediate to advanced surfer.
Best Time : October to April.
Weather : Lows of 23ºC and daytime highs of 31ºC. Sea temperature hovers around 28ºC. 🌞
👉 Best Surf Spots around Madiha 👈
Turtle point : Turtle point located in Madiha is also considered to be one of the best hidden surf points in Sri Lanka. Madiha produces consistent swell all year round. There are three points altogether located close to each other. The main point is A frame which is a nice peeling wave.
Polhena, Break Surf point : Close to Madiha the Polhena : there are a series of idyllic small beaches in the area and some great areas to relax or snorkel in basins created by the reefs.
Madiha Surf Point
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🏄 SK Town (Meddawatta, Matara) 🏄
Just south past Matara, its a signposted turning to S.K. Town. A quiet village is away from the main A2 road and its a Reef and beach break east of the town is consistent and only works when there are good swell. Safe sandy beach break (Lakshawattha Beach), perfect for beginners only
less crowded and a bit cleaner than Weligama. Plenty of guest houses
and hotels in the village. S K town, located in Meddawatta, is a surf location in close proximity to Matara city. Access is through a concreted road, which leads all the way to the Meddawatta beach. This is the base point for a few surf training camps, due to its ideal conditions for all surfing levels. Meddawatta point has a sandy bottom. A very nice sandy beach is on offer for you to sunbath after a good surf session. The left end of the Meddawatta Break has some rip current, so beginners should avoid that area.
Where : Matara district, Southern Sri Lanka (See the location below map)
Beach : Safe sandy beach break perfect for beginners only less crowded.
Type : Beach break, wave direction : right & left. Consistent swell, 750 meter rides in a good day, suitable all levels of surfing.
Best Time : October to April.
Weather : Lows of 23ºC and daytime highs of 31ºC. Sea temperature hovers around 28ºC. 🌞
SK Town Beach
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🏄 Hiriketiya (Aka Hiri) 🏄
Hiriketiya Beach is located on the southern coast of the island, just next door to Dikwella beach. It’s a small stretch of beach with golden sand and endless palm trees. Many people head to Hiriketiya Beach Sri Lanka for a quieter scene. There are a lot less people around and it attracts a much more chilled crowd. A lovely intermediate to advance point that really can only cater for a minimum number of people because of the small bay. Watch out for coral pinnacles, the closer to the beach the shallower it is so please stay within your ability. You can catch the same wave further down the beach on the sand break with less power or right out the back at the bay entrance for advanced surfer.
Where : Matara district, Southern Sri Lanka (See the location below map)
Beach : It’s a small stretch of beach with golden sand and endless palm trees.
Type : Consistent wave most of the year. A powerful left hander that holds up to 8 feat and can be rather unforgiving on a shallow corral reef.
Best Time : October to April.
Weather : Lows of 23ºC and daytime highs of 31ºC. Sea temperature hovers around 28ºC. 🌞
Hiriketiya Beach Surf Point
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Final thoughts on Surf Spots in South Coast of Sri Lanka
The best surf beaches Sri Lanka offers are found towards the southern end of the island is well protected from deep ocean swells from India. In the balmy south you'll find waves to suit every taste on your Sri Lanka surf trip, from long point break walls, punchy beach break peaks and everything in between. One of the best aspects of a Sri Lanka surf holiday is that as you progress throughout your trip, you'll be able to challenge yourself further by upping the ante at spots that pack a bit more power, pushing you on to the next level of your surfing journey.
Last Updated on: 2019/01/17
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