If Sri Lanka’s nickname as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean doesn’t pique your curiosity, the fact it has two surf coasts, year-round waves and a tropical climate should!
No matter how many times we visit, we always find a new reason to love this island. And it’s a favourite for travelling surfers from all over the world.
You not only get an exotic location with plenty of culture and wildlife, but also friendly locals, cheap prices and outrageously delicious food that’s guaranteed to make your tastebuds hum.
So if you’re thinking about booking a Sri Lanka surf trip hopefully this article helps you make up your mind – and score some of the best waves the island has to offer…
And of course check out our epic range of Sri Lanka surf camps, trips and courses, with something for all skill levels!
The Best Sri Lanka Surf Spots for All Levels
What’s surfing in Sri Lanka really like?
Sri Lanka has come a long way since the turbulent early 2000s.
The island has quickly become a hot destination for travellers seeking unique waves and affordable surf holiday experiences. With over 1,600 kilometers of coastline and two distinct monsoon seasons, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to Sri Lankan surf spots and wave types.
The east coast and southwest coast are where you’ll find all the best breaks. From palm-tree lined beachies that are perfect for beginners to steep, fast and hollow point breaks that’ll test even the most confident surfer.
As for the surf scene itself, it’s bustling on land and mostly mellow in the water. Surf schools, camps and experience providers aren’t in short supply. But given the sheer amount of coastline and surf spots, you can still find secluded waves for you and your mates.
When is the best time for a Sri Lanka surf trip?
South Coast = October to April: This time of year sees the most consistent swells on the southwest coastline. Offshore winds are frequent and if you score a glassy morning at sunrise, don’t be surprised if it holds all day long. This is also the dry season on the southwest coast, meaning less rain and more sunshine for optimal surfing conditions.
East Coast = May to September: Winds blowing from the southwest groom the east coast during these months, meaning that May to September is the east coast’s time to shine. Expect regular southwest swells that light up the many righthand pointbreaks that this part of Sri Lanka is famous for. Arugam Bay, anyone?
And of course check out our epic range of Sri Lanka surf camps, trips and courses, with something for all skill levels!
The Top Sri Lanka Surf Spots
Whether visiting with friends, your partner or booking a Sri Lanka surf guide to show you the ropes, the island won’t disappoint. Here are some of our favourite picks for surf spots in Sri Lanka…in no particular order might we add!
The Rock
Technically part of Kabalana Beach, the break known as The Rock is in a league of it’s own though, and easily recognizable by – you guessed it – the rock sitting in the middle of the beach!
Reputed to be Sri Lanka’s best a-frame, which is a wave that breaks in both left and right directions. It’s a reef break, but it isn’t so shallow that you’ll be kissing coral, unless of course you milk the inside section too much!
That being said, it can get big and gnarly.
At 6 foot plus it becomes a challenging, barrelling wave that’s not for the faint-hearted. The left is long and rippable, 3-5 turns, the right is more of a bowl so one or two big turns, or if you’re lucky a barrel section too.
- Wave type: Reefbreak
- Direction: Left and right
- Skill level: intermediate to advanced
- Nearest town: Ahangama
Rams
The creme de la creme when it comes to Sri Lanka surf spots. Located in the Midigama region, it’s a shallow reefbreak that breaks predominately right with the odd lefthander when its smaller.
It’s playful at around the 1 to 2 foot mark. From 3-6 foot you can expect fun barrels and a red hot crowd of locals. 6 foot and above is when it gets serious.
At this size only the right is breaking – the left being an absolute suicide mission.
- Wave type: Reefbreak
- Direction: Predominately right
- Skill level: Intermediate to advanced
- Nearest town: Midigama
Sticks
For those progressing from beginner to intermediate, Sticks is a great spots to paddle out at, especially when it’s about chest high. Fun, playful but with enough punch to practice those turns and steeper take offs.
Named after the stilt fisherman that fish in front of the shore this spot has got pretty popular over the last few years though, so expect a bit of a crowd when the early surf school lessons are in the water.
Keep in mind though, as the swell increases, so does the punch, so make sure you check the conditions before paddling out!
- Wave type: Semi reef
- Direction: Mix of peaks
- Skill level: Low end intermediate and up
- Nearest town: Ahangama
Kabalana Beach
One of the most famous stretches of sand on the South Coast, Kabalana is a great spot for those looking to learn to surf in Sri Lanka. Long, crumbling walls of white water and a sandy bottom make it the ideal spot for finding your feet and learning the basics.
Past the white water there are also some super fun peaks that intermediate will have heaps of fun on too.
- Wave type: Beach
- Direction: Mix of peaks
- Skill level: Complete beginner and up
- Nearest town: Ahangama
Arugam Bay (Main Point)
One of Sri Lanka’s most iconic waves. This reeling righthander has been showcased in major magazines and surfed by the world’s best.
Most would assume that this exposure has lead to an intense lineup. It’s actually not as gnarly as you might think. The top of the point is called Main Point. It has many moods, but it’s generally a highly rippable righthander that runs forever!
It’s also one of Sri Lanka’s most consistent waves and as such its earned an almost cult-like following.
- Wave type: Pointbreak
- Direction: Right
- Skill level: Intermediate to advanced
- Nearest town: Arugam Bay/Pottuvil
Hiriketiya
Straight out of a postcard and into your beginner-friendly surf spot fantasies.
Hiriketiya is the perfect spot for those looking to catch their first wave. It has a forgiving bottom and gentle beachbreak rollers that break within a dreamy cove.
Looking to spike your adrenaline levels? There’s also a heavy lefthander that breaks off the east end of the bay, just quietly – strictly for the intermediate and advanced surfers.
- Wave type: Reefbreak, beachbreak
- Direction: Right
- Skill level: Beginner to advanced
- Nearest town: Hiriketiya
Marshmellows
Soft and squishy, just like its name sake, Marshmellows is the perfect place to progress from the white water. Breaking over a deep reef, with an easy beach paddle out it has gained a lot of popularity with surf schools recently, so can get pretty crowded in peak season.
If you can score it uncrowded it’s super fun and playful – a great spot for those riding fish, longboards and mid lengths.
When the swell jacks up though don’t be fooled – it can get pretty chunky and is best left to more experienced surfers handling waves well overhead.
Book a stay at Ticket To Ride Surf House and you’ll have this dreamy wave right across the road from you!
- Wave type: Reef
- Direction: Main a frame, but with some other peaks along the break
- Skill level: high end beginner and upwards
- Nearest town: Ahangama
Lazy Lefts & Lazy Rights
Aptly named for their mellow nature, both Lazy Lefts and Lazy Rights are ultra-fun reefbreaks.
Lazy Lefts can hold up to 6 foot plus and offer some of the longest rides on the South Coast. It’s also a fairly predictable wave, which is great for honing your pop-ups, cutbacks and snaps.
Lazy Rights is a short paddle from Lazy Lefts. Again, cruisy and fun when its small with long-ish rides. Both breaks are suitable for all skill levels depending on the swell size.
- Wave type: Reefbreaks
- Direction: Left and right
- Skill level: Beginner to advanced
- Nearest town: Midigama
Unawatuna
Located near the historic colonial city of Galle, Unawatuna is a top surf holiday destination for beginners and early intermediates.
The town itself is a collection of charming ramshackle huts and curry houses. Dry seasons sees the swell funnel into Unawatuna Bay and switch on its easygoing beachbreaks.
The only drawback is that it does get busy given that its one of the more accessible surf spots.
- Wave type: Beachbreak
- Direction: Left and right
- Skill level: Beginner
- Nearest town: Galle
Weligama Beach
Ask any local where the best beginner spot is in all of Sri Lanka and they’ll likely point you to Weligama Beach.
Why? The unique shape of this horseshoe bay (measuring over 3 kilometres from point to point) gives rise to a wide range of peaks that are absolutely perfect for beginners.
Better yet, due to the protected nature of the bay, you’re all but guaranteed clean, glassy conditions. Besides, with Midigama’s reef and pointbreaks up the road, it’s a fantastic spot to base yourself if you’re with more experienced surfing friends – check out TS2 Surf Camp and The Surfer for a great base here.
- Wave type: Beachbreak
- Direction: Left and right
- Skill level: Beginner
- Nearest town: Weligama
Sion
Located between Ahangama and Midigama (right in front of Blue Waves Surf House), Sion is an oft-busy but super consistent surf spot in the south.
It breaks both left and right, depending on the swell direction, with the best rides found on low tide. There are multiple peaks, which does help break up the crowds somewhat.
Pro tip: grab some goggles and flippers when there’s no swell – it’s a pretty good snorkelling spot.
- Wave type: Reefbreak
- Direction: Left and right
- Skill level: Beginner to intermediate
- Nearest town: Midigama
Hikkaduwa
One of Sri Lanka’s most developed surf hubs, Hikkaduwa is busy and touristy but with a few choice surf breaks.
Benny’s is a lefthand reefbreak that’s more suited to experienced surfers. Main Reef is a gnarly a frame, which really does pack a punch over head high. One of the best shaped waves on the south coast, but at high tide gets a bit backwashy.
North Jetty boasts fun lefts that break off a rock wall. The Beach Break is perfect for beginners looking to catch their first wave.
- Wave type: Reefbreak, beachbreak, pointbreak
- Direction: Lefts and rights
- Skill level: Beginner to advanced
- Nearest town: Hikkaduwa
Mirissa
Mirissa, a renowned surfing location, is just a quick 15-20-minute Tuk Tuk ride away from Weligama. This righthander is perfect for seasoned surfers, with relatively consistent waves from October to April.
It’s one of those postcard perfect spots with clear blue water and a long coastline. The wave itself runs along the rocks with a backdrop of deep green palm trees and lush greenery. It may just be Sri Lanka’s most beautiful surf spot, but we’ll let you be the judge.
- Wave type: Pointbreak
- Direction: Right
- Skill level: Beginner to intermediate
- Nearest town: Mirissa
Peanut Farm
Cute name, even cuter waves.
Peanut Farm, located in Arugam Bay, is actually two surf breaks. One is beginner-friendly righthander with a peaky takeoff directly next to a cluster to rocks. The other break is a short walk up the beach that’s known for long rides and a notoriously shallow takeoff zone.
On a big day the two points can connect. Manage to find a Sri Lankan surf guide who can take you there when it’s firing and you’ll be frothing for months.
- Wave type: Pointbreak
- Direction: Right
- Skill level: Beginner to advanced
- Nearest town: Arugam Bay