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surf points sri lanka

Surf Locations

Find the perfect surfing location for you!

The country is a year-round destination because of the seasonal patterns that mean when one coast is choppy, the other is calm. The rains take turns hitting from different directions, too. There will always be waves somewhere. In the west you’ll find perfection between November and May; on the east coast aim for April to October, when the waves are longer.

West Coast

AhangamaHiriketiyaTangalle
BalapitiyaKoggalaTalalla Bay
BeruwelaMadihaUnawatuna
DewataMidigamaWeligama
DickwellaMirissa
HikkaduwaSK Town

East Coast

ArugambayOkanda Pottuvil

West Coast

Check out the best surfing spots in the Western coast of Sri Lanka!
#LocationSurf pointsSuited forNotes
1

Ahangama

Rajith Point
Intermediate / AdvancedRajith is a competition-quality reef break that’s probably the best of the Ahangama surf, Kabalana point aside. A peeling A-frame with pretty long rides and a rippable shoulder, it’s good for intermediates and up. Breaks over reef and coral. Smaller days are mellow and cruisy. Bigger days are steeper and faster.
Sticks Break
AdvancedNot so well known but this fickle break offers some good rides for experienced short boarders when it works. It’s over very shallow reef and is quite a fast ride, so beginners should steer well clear. Always a left. Best on N-NE offshore winds.
Devils Island

AllThis reef break is positioned beside a small island which is worth a visit in itself to explore. This peaceful and special place is rarely surfed, so it’s ideal if you’re wanting a private session to yourself. The left hand hander that breaks off the island is only suitable for the experienced. Further to the right of the island, there is a long right hander that is ideal for all styles of surfing.
2

Balapitiya

Balapitiya
Intermediate / AdvancedIt is an exposed reef break that has quite reliable surf. Summer offers the optimum conditions for surfing. Works best in offshore winds from the east northeast. Groundswells and wind swells are equally likely and the best swell direction is from the southwest. The left reef break is best, but there is a right reef as well. Even when there are waves, it's not likely to be crowded. Take care of coral.
3

Beruwela

Beruwela
Beginner / IntermediateThis southwest town is a shrewd stop if you want to do more than just dabble in surfing. With Hikkaduwa just a 25-minute drive away, and consistent, if small, surf five minutes down the road at Bentota Beach, there are plenty of alternatives if the waves aren’t breaking on your doorstep.
4

Dewata

Clossenburg Beach
BeginnerThis spot is the beginner mecca of the Unawatuna surf. It’s tucked deep into Unawatuna Bay and is often called just that. The waves need enough force to come through the jutting headlands with the temples tot he south-east and the reefs of Bonavista. That really cuts down the power and tempers the swell, so you’re generally looking at uber-mellow rides with lots of whitewash. And if that reads like a learner’s mecca, that’s because it is. Most local Unawatuna surf schools will head here for their first sessions. The north-western end of Dewata is usually called Clossenburg Point or Beach, so don’t be surprised if that’s what you hear.
Bonavista
BeginnerWedged at the southern end of Dewata Beach and norht along the temple headland is the reef break of Bonavista. It’s actually more of a beach break than a reef, because the corals and rocks are all far out in the bay. You’ll only be surfing on top of sand, and the quality of the wave is beginner through and through. Usually working at 3-4 feet and rarely anything too punchy. It’s basically an extension spot for the Galle surf schools when Dewata is a little too busy. Nice enough though, and great views of the whitewashed pagoda in the distance.
5

Dickwella

Dickwella Beach
BeginnerYou’re not likely to find too many surfers on Dickwella Beach itself. That’s not to say this stunning run of golden sand can’t be surfed. Only, it’s not as good or as consistent as some of the other Dickwella surf spots around. Basically, you’ve got a wide, open bay that stays very shallow for a long way into the ocean. The result is lots of peaks, but none that really have any punch.

It’s a decent place to get a local surf instructor to show you the ropes on a foamy. In fact, there are a few start-up surf schools doing their thing on Dickwella Beach these days. Just don’t expect long rides. Instead, there’s lots of whitewash and less-than-shoulder-high waves to get started on. A beginner ride.
6

Hikkaduwa

North Jetty
IntermediateHead to the harbour area of Hikka to find the ever-popular North Jetty. It holds up to overheads with nice long left that punch directly across the shallow reef. There’s a regular crowd here so don’t expect to be surfing alone. On windy days, the wave will get mushy, which makes it a fun little ride across the front of the open shoreline.
Benny’s

AdvancedOne of the go-to spots in Hikkaduwa for the more experienced surfer is Benny’s. It’s named – like so many of the breaks in Sri Lanka – after the guesthouse that stands right next door. Expect a relatively deep coral bottom with a left-hand peeler. The classic point break can hold up on the bigger swells of more than 1.5 metres. Good consistency.
Narigama Beach
Beginner / IntermediateAlso known as Sunbeach (again, after one of the local hotels), Narigama should be your first port of call if you’re looking to ride your first wave. It’s a light, mellow beachfront break with lots of local infrastructure – good rentals, great schools. Expect crowds – and a total kookfest when it’s a little rough, but nothing on par with Weligama.
Owakanda

Intermediate / AdvancedSouth of Hikkaduwa itself but still less than 20 minutes in a tuk-tuk, the point at Owakanda is a great escape from the crowd. Here, the buildings thin out and there are just a handful of lonely little guesthouses facing the sea. But this could be Lanka’s next big thing, thanks to a beach and reef break that are largely suited to beginners. Check it out on good swell days when the Jetty and Benny’s are packed to bursting. Little localism. Hardly any crowds.
Main Reef

Intermediate / AdvancedConsistent but battered by the elements, the Main Reef at Hikkaduwa is an exposed but fun spot with A-frames going both right and left. It’s usually left for the experts, but we can’t see why intermediates looking to step up to the reefs don’t make an appearance. The rocks are deep below and there’s usually good vibes.
7

Hiriketiya

Hiriketiya beach break

Beginner / IntermediateLocated on the western side of Hiriketiya Bay, the beach break is the most popular surf spot in town. It’s usually got a line up, but don’t be put off – there are plenty of waves to go around.
Hiriketiya Bay reef point break
Intermediate / AdvancedRoaring into the headland on the eastern point of Hiriketiya Bay is the town’s upper-intermediate/expert reef break. Known for its quick, peeling left-hander that starts on the rocks by Peter’s Place bar, it’s got a fast take off section and ends up over some very shallow reefs that are infested with urchins.

If you can catch it, there’s a lovely ride that can take you from the headland all the way to the middle of the bay – some 150 metre at its best. The swells here can hold up to six foot.
8

Koggala

Koggala Beach
Beginner / IntermediateThere’s nothing hollow and hard at Koggala Beach, and its actually one of the less-consistent of the beaches in the Southern Province. Still, it’s a sand-bottomed break that goes nicely on chest-high southerly swells and can work well with a N offshore wind. Locals call the spot the South Beach.

On top of South Beach, you’ve also got the Koggala Left. Don’t confuse the two. The latter is a much more challenging reef that walls up quite steeply and breaks over coral.
Kabalana
BeginnerLike SK Town further along the Matara Road, Kabalana surf has risen to become a real go-to for the surf schools of Weligama as the line ups start getting ridiculous in the high season on the home break. There is a nice, mellow shorebreak wave which comes in off the sand. It’s rarely big and prone to crumbling, so it’s starters only, although some days can pick up nice swells.

However, that’s not the main reason to come if you’re a serious surfer. That honor goes to the perfect A-frame at Kabalana surf point. Heavy and fast, it’s a challenging wave that can be surfed in both directions, is mightily rippable, and a treat for any shortboarders that love running off the lip and churning up the shoulder.
The Rock
Intermediate / AdvancedThis is located on Kabalana beach and is literally a large boulder rising above the waterline. It is one of the best waves on the South Sri Lankan Coast.. Fun and consistent waves for intermediates on small days, and powerful waves for the experienced on others. From a large gnarly barrelling left & right peak with a vertical take to other days offering a long left with makable barrelling sections.
9

Madiha

Madiha Surf Point
Intermediate / AdvancedUnderrated surf point, close to Matara, with reliable waves. Rides up to 350m on a reef break.
Secret Point
Intermediate / AdvancedA long right hand reef break and a short punchy left. Plenty of barrels to be had in the right conditions. This point is very consistent and will handle overhead waves on a larger swell
10

Midigama / Gurubebila

Lazy Right and Lazy Left
Intermediate / AdvancedThe combo of Lazy Left and Lazy Right is what really helps put Midigama surf spots on the map of the Sri Lanka south-west coast. They epitomise what the region is all about: Good, reliable reef breaks that are approachable even for those who’ve only surfed ever on sand in the past.

Of the two, it’s the left that’s the harder one. It offers a pretty steep starting zone followed by a long ride that peter out a little as they move across the beach. Lazy Right suits beginners much more, with long, cruisy rides that break over a really deep reef. Main hazards are rocks and urchins during a paddle out and return, but you could also get clogged up in the crowd when the conditions align.
Rams
AdvancedRams is the piece de resistance for advanced riders looking to surf Midigama. By far the hardest wave in the region, it takes its name from the guesthouse that sits – conveniently – just metres from the break. For years, it’s been challenging the local crowd with its quick, fast takeoffs and barrelling sections.

Because it really is that sort of wave – a right-hander with an attitude that kicks up hollow sections over some seriously shallow reef and rock. Watch out for urchins. Respect the people that surf it regularly. Simply don’t even think about paddling out unless you know exactly what you’re doing!
Plantations
Intermediate / AdvancedA good reef pick for graduating intermediates is Plantations. It sits just two notches along the coast road from Weligama, so is still easy to get to from the surf town by tuk-tuk. Find the main entry point between an opening in the rocks directly by the softly-sloping beachfront right by the Plantation Surf Inn.

Style-wise, Plantations is a lot like Coconuts (see below). It’s a deep reef that rolls off a point. The predominant direction is right, but you’ll catch a couple of lefts. Waves can get mushy, but there’s usually something going, even on low tides.

Because it’s a popular choice with groups of improving surfers out of Weligama, we’d say it’s a good idea to bed down in one of the hotels right by the road and get up early to have the dawn patrols all to yourself.
Coconuts
IntermediateThere’s lots to like about Coconuts. That’s especially true if you’re already a decent intermediate and want to break into the world of reefs. Where else to try your technique on this consistent left-and-righter that rolls over the rocks close to Weligama

The paddle out can be tricky, especially when the tide’s up. You’ll need to navigate a few wonky tidal pools before being able to go flat in the water – or risk scratches. Getting into the line up means tucking neatly into the point that pokes out from the main beach.

That’s where the swells come in. They lip up nicely to offer a long right that runs over the deep reef, along with quite a fast left that’s short by snappy as it shoots towards the rocks. The spot can be nice and quiet because it’s quite well hidden from the main road, but you’ll almost always find a few folk from the nearby Midigama hostel lodges and surf camps in the water.
11

Mirissa

Mirissa Reef

IntermediateAt the very western end of Mirissa Beach is a reef break. Sandwiched between a big sea boulder and the headland, it’s pretty shallow and can be dangerous, mainly because of the overload of urchins that cling to the rocks below. Just be careful where you put your feet and paddle out and you will actually discover one of the mellower Sri Lankan reef breaks. It’s not a long ride and can get crumbly. We’d leave it to the intermediates anyhow, mainly on account of the shallow rocks.
Mirissa Beach
BeginnerMirissa Beach is actually way more protected than many of the other sands on the south coast of Sri Lanka. The waves rarely clock up more than 5ft in the dry season months. That means they’re never going to compete with the likes of SK Town for sand-bottomed sets, but they are okay if you’re a TOTAL beginner. A few rental stalls are on the sands, but be wary of which one you pick – scams aren’t unheard of!
Mirissa Harbour
Intermediate / AdvancedIt’s faster and hollower at the harbour end of Mirissa Beach. Rarely surfed but olds up to a nice 6-8 ft but won’t offer tubes. More likely it’s a crumbly, fat wave with scope to rip. Rides can be decently long across the main bay, going from the temple end to the coconut groves.
12

SK Town

SK Town
Intermediate / AdvancedThe eastern end of the beach is generally considered better for intermediate and expert surfers. This is the portion of the town that’s known officially as SK. It’s got a few surf lodges on its high cliffs and runs into a rocky outcrop.
The waves are big A-frame peaks that roll left and right. You’ve got to position yourself correctly if you want anything close to a long ride. Get it right, though, and you’ll be peeling off with a good 70-120 metre roller. On high swells, SK Town can closeout fast. Also expect fast take-offs and some steep drop-ins, depending on the peaks you’re willing to wait for.
Lakshawaththa Beach

BeginnerThe western end of SK Town is also known as Lakshawaththa Beach. The sleek surf lodge come boutique hotel of Seascape faces this end of the sand. That makes it the perfect place to stay for beginners and improving intermediates. Why? The waves here tend to be just a little tamer, there’s a headland that helps with a bit of shelter, and the whitewash comes in neat sets for total learners. It’s also the cleaner and wider part of the beach.
13

Talalla Bay

Talalla Bay
BeginnerTalalla Bay surf is another of the south coast’s handsome bays. It runs for nearly 2,000 meters around an inlet to the west of the town of Dickwella. It’s just a short ride of 10-20 minutes in a tuk-tuk to get here. The waves are generally lighter than in Hiriketiya, with some super-chilled breaks for beginners (hence the regular lessons). There is a small reef break to keep the more seasoned riders busy.
14

Tangalle

Tangalle
BeginnerTangalle surf is taking you right out to the more remote spots that fringe the southern shores of Sri Lanka. The things is, there are actually not many well-known waves down this way. Short of giving away the secret local spots that are a joy to discover on your own, we’d say Tangalle surf is mainly light beach waves that are suited to the earliest beginners. Most of the surf schools in the town will head to Tallala Bay or Hiriketiya to do their lessons.
15

Unawatuna

Main Beach
BeginnerThere is a reef break at Unawatuna but we don’t think it really compares to the quality of the reefs in Midigama, which is closer to Ahangama anyhow. The real reason to head up is on big swell days for beginner breaks.
Dalawella
IntermediateThe Dalawella Reef isn’t often surfed but still offers some decent rides off the rocky seabed a couple of clicks along from the temple headland in Unawatuna. It’s a left by nature and works on chest to head height. Not an easy paddle because the wave push straight up and into the bay. Also, it’s an urchin party!
16

Weligama

Beach Breaks

BeginnerBeginners have oodles to get stuck into in Weligama. A beach break that sits in a huge bay with shelter on both sides, it’s probably the perfect place to learn to surf in Sri Lanka. A tuk-tuk of about 15-20 mins can whisk you here from the Ahangama surf hostels. The main spot is the middle of the bay by the Marriot hotel. There, waves are punchy but also mushy and perfect for practice. Some days see bigger sets coming out back if you want something larger, but the secondary swell is a fun kook fest. A word of warning: It gets super busy.
Fisherman's Reef

IntermediateLocated on the outer northern point of the Weligama bay is a right hand reef break which is a 10 minutes paddle from the shore. This only comes to life on a medium to large swell has many different makeable sections. This break is rather unexplored as it is not known to many tourists.
Jungle Beach
Beginner / IntermediateTucked away just past Weligama Bay is Jungle Beach, a beautifully secluded beach offering a long left reef break. Perfect for beginners on smaller days and great for all styles of surfing.
Taprobane Island
BeginnerWith a postcard backdrop, this small island is home to the famous historical villa “Taprobane”. There can be super clean waves either side of it. On smaller days, beginners can experience their first perfect green wall. With a larger swell, it delivers fun lefts & rights.

East Coast

Check out the best surfing spots in the Eastern coast of Sri Lanka!
#LocationSurf pointsSuited forNotes
1

Arugambay

Lighthouse
Intermediate / AdvancedLighthouse is the most northerly spot that’s usually still included under the official list of Arugam Bay surf spots. It strings the shore just outside of the small village and lagoon of Komari, by the crumbled remains of an old WWII lighthouse (hence the name). What the wave lacks in consistency it makes up for in shae.

It’s basically a duo of rippable right-handers when conditions are right. One is good for starters but the other is better suited to experienced surfers, coming with a boulder-sand bottom. Note how the waves at Lighthouse get faster throughout the season, as the sandbanks bulk up during the dry season swell direction.
Main Point

BeginnerThis is probably the wave you’ve seen photos off if you’ve been Googling up images of Arugam Bay surf spots. It’s a classic regional point break with what’s potentially a long, 50-150m ride coming off a series of boulders. The bottom is sand mixed reef, which is why most total beginners stick to the mini point that’s just on the other side. On big days it can barrel but also blows out at the sniff of a breeze.
Peanut Farm
Beginner / IntermediateOn a long, beautiful beach that’s clad in sea vines and speckled with boulders, Peanut Farm offers some of the most accessible waves in the area. It’s a hubbub of surf schools from May to August, but don’t let that put you off – it’s a corker to learn on. The style? Expect a beach break with a sand bottom that gets its power from a low headland. The only tricky thing might be getting there – it’s hidden by a lagoon more than 7km south of town.
Elephant Rock/Crocodile Rock
AdvancedCall it what you will, this jutting point break might be worth seeking out. You’ll need to commit because the walk to the shore is at least 20 minutes when carrying boards. The reward? Right-hand crumblers that can be pretty empty compared to other, more central, Arugam Bay spots. Just watch out for crocodiles!
2

Okanda

Clossenburg Beach
AdvancedIt might be the farthest away from Arugam Bay town, but Okanda does offer ample reward for those who make the 23-kilometre journey. Not one, not two, but three individual point breaks await here. They cater to a range of different levels, but are generally strong intermediate and above. Things can get windy due to exposure, thought the waves hold up well to a massive 8-10ft on swell days. Beware of big rips close to the headland.
3

Pottuvil

Whiskey Point
BeginnerMellow doesn’t quite do it justice here because the wave at Whiskey Point is just about as chilled as it’s possible to get. It’s a beginner’s heaven, with soft, easy-going rights that break off a boulder point. Swells can pick up to 4 metres in heavy ocean storms, but they are virtually never seen in the main Arugam Bay season. Usually, it’s chest- or shoulder-high breakers that offer plenty of time to practice pop ups.

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