Surf Spots in Sri Lanka
Dewata Bay
Dewata became popular as a surfing paradise in the past decade. It is located in the South Coast of Sri Lanka, a few minutes away from the tourist city of Galle. Surfing in Sri Lanka has never been more fun in this coastal paradise location. The Dewata beach and ocean became popular on an international level due to one major reason. This reason is that it is extremely safe and easy to surf in this hotspot. Therefore, it has become one of the most perfect surf spots for beginners and even professionals to learn surfing.
Tourists who have never surfed before have come and enjoyed at the Dewata surf point. The smaller waves are easy to surf on and provide a very safe environment. The size of the waves is small to medium with one to six feet in height. The waves can be trusted to be extremely safe all throughout the year. Surfers visit this spot between November and March as it offers the best weather, wind, and waves.
The best time to surf at Dewata is in the mornings and evenings. The surrounding beach and city area offer a number of facilities for surfers to enjoy after surfing.
Unawatuna
Popular as a “family surfing spot”, Unawatuna is one of the most iconic beaches in the world. With its majestic white waves, golden beaches, and lush greenery, Unawatuna is a paradise for surfers and tourists. The clear blue sky and scenic horizon makes Unawatuna perfect for surfing in the early morning slot as well as in the evenings to late evenings.
The wave size at Unawatuna is smaller and suitable for both beginners and experienced surfers. The beach break locations at Unawatuna is perfect for trainee surfers and families. The “Dalawella Reef” and “South Beach” on the Kabalana Beach, which is nearby, are favourite spots of more advanced surfers. These points are also preferred by longboard wave surfers.
Unawatuna is located just a few hours from Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka, and a few minutes away from the popular colonial tourist city of Galle. Surfers can visit this destination at any time of the year as the Unawatuna beach and surf waves are ideal in any month.
Hikkaduwa
Hikkaduwa can be simply defined as a “surfing village” or an “international surfing destination”. It is one of the most visited tourist spots in Sri Lanka. Hikkaduwa offers many challenging as well as beginner-friendly surf spots. “Bennys” is a favourite for professional surfers and it provides a left-hander reef break. Other surfing spots at Hikkaduwa include the “Main Reef” and the “North Jetty”, which are fun and adventurous.
If you are an amateur surfer and you want to learn and train more, then the “Beach Break” at Hikkaduwa is famous. This is because the waves here are safe, smaller, and the same all year round. You can visit Hikkaduwa in any season but the months from late November to early April are the most preferred by surfers.
The weather and climate at Hikkaduwa are perfect with sunshine and warmth on any month of the year. A large number of tourist activities, including daytime and night time entertainment, take place at Hikkaduwa. Hikkaduwa is just a few minutes from the tourist hub of Galle and a couple of hours from Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka.
Mirissa
Mirissa is perfect for tourists and surfers as it offers one of the safest and enjoyable waves in Sri Lanka. A favourite spot in Mirissa is the “Mirissa Reef”, which is found in the western end of the beach. The Mirissa Reef is suitable for experienced or intermediate surfers as it provides a challenging surfing experience. In addition, the Mirissa Harbour and Mirissa Beach Point are also enjoyable.
The shallow reefs and the jungle palms in Mirissa is another reason why surfers love this destination. It is located towards the southern tip of the island and its natural beauty and the beach is ideal for beginner surfers. Boogie boarding and low power right-hander surfing is encouraged in Mirissa Reef and Mirissa Harbour surfing spots.
The best season to visit Mirissa is from early December to late March. This is because the offshore winds are perfect and the waves are challenges but safe. However, Mirissa has an advantage as surfers still use it from May to September, due to its perfect waves.
Weligama
Weligama is famous for both beginners and intermediate surfers. It is a central hub for trainers and families as the waves are smaller and safer than in other destinations. The beaches are golden to reddish in colour and ocean is blue and clear on any month of the year.
The best times to visit Weligama to surf are in the November to April season. However, surfers enjoy riding the waves at Weligama during the off-season period as it is more quitter and peaceful. If you are surfing in the early morning, the “Plantation Point” of Weligama is the perfect destination with both left and right surf breaks.
The best surfing destinations found in Weligama are the “Midigama” and “Lazy Left” points. Lazy Left is a bit challenging and surfers love it during the afternoons and early evenings. The “Rams Right” is enjoyed by professional surfers as it has barrels, short breaks, and tight breaks.
The sunshine is bright and plentiful throughout the year at Weligama. The weather conditions are warm and cosy. The wind speed is not too low or not too fast at Weligama.
Arugam Bay
The Eastern Coast of Sri Lanka is known all over the world as a perfect surfing destination in South Asia. This point is Arugam Bay and there are many reasons why both intermediate and professional surfers love riding the waves here. The first reason is the enjoyable and challenging waves, which are moderately big in size. However, most of the points are safe for beginners and the beach waves swell can even be just a few feet.
The next reason is the dry and warm weather throughout the year. The sky is also dry and the wind speed is ideal for any type of surfing. The season that many surfers enjoy at Arugam Bay is between late March and September as it offers the best climate for surfing.
Main Point & Baby Point
Main Point
The “Main Point” of Arugam Bay offers larger waves and a challenging experience for surfers. It is loved by both intermediate and professional surfers but beginners also visit this point. It is popular with tourists and it offers golden beaches and strong winds. The waves at Main Point are medium-sized but small and safer waves are also found.
Baby Point
“Baby Point” is a famous surf point in Arugam Bay and it is safe for trainees and beginner surfers. Even families enjoy this point and it offers safe and smaller waves that allows learners to experience surfing. The beautiful natural surroundings and facilities nearby makes this a valuable journey.
Pottuvil Point
“Pottuvil Point” is the longest point break in Sri Lanka and it is situated near Whisky Point, just a few minutes away from Arugam Bay. The beach is golden and the ocean waves are medium to large in size. The surfing experience is challenging and only professional and intermediate surfers ride the waves at Pottuvil Point.
However, beginner surfers do visit this beautiful destination as the weather and climate are sunny and warm throughout the year. The surf wave swell can even be as high as 12 feet or 4 metres in this destination. Therefore, this is the perfect place for intermediate surfers to develop their surfing skill and enjoy.
Whisky Point
If you travel towards the north of Arugam Bay, you will come across “Whisky Point”. This is one of the most talked about destinations among surfers in Sri Lanka and it is extremely popular with tourists. As its name suggests, it is a slightly challenging and adventurous surfing destination. The rocky outcrop on the beach breaks the waves in a beautiful way. The sunshine and ocean waves are perfect for surfing at any month of the year.
However, it should be warned that Whisky Point is suitable only for intermediate and professional surfers. It is highly enjoyable with loads of twists and turns for surfers. It will definitely help you grow your surfing skills and enjoy surfing in a unique way.
Elephant Rock
“Elephant Rock” is another surfing spot a few minutes away from Arugam Bay. Elephant Rock is perfect for beginners and experienced surfers and you need to travel through rocks to get to the point. It is highly enjoyable as it offers both safety and adventure for surfers.
