Expert-verified surf spot database with detailed swell/wind parameters, hazards, and travel information
Arugam Bay is Sri Lanka's most famous surf destination—a long, peeling right-hand point break on the island's remote east coast. During the SW monsoon season (April-October), consistent swells wrap into this laid-back beach town, offering mellow but quality waves perfect for longboarders and intermediate surfers. The vibe is pure tropical backpacker paradise: coconut curries, beach shacks, and yoga retreats. It gets crowded in peak season, but the waves keep rolling.
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka's best • Long peeling rights • Tropical backpacker vibe
Works best with swells from 180° (S). Workable range: 150°-210°.
Ideal size: 1.6m. Too small below 0.8m, too big (closeout) above 2.5m.
Needs at least 10s period. Ideal: 14s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 315° (NW). Offshore range: 270°-360°. Best window: morning.
Rocky bottom. Gets crowded in peak season.
Swell direction must be within the workable range AND within the spot's coastal orientation. A south-facing beach cannot receive north swells, no matter the size or period.
Offshore wind (blowing from land toward ocean) grooms the wave face. Onshore wind (blowing from ocean toward land) destroys wave quality. Wind tolerance varies by wave type.
Weligama Bay is Sri Lanka's gentle introduction to tropical surfing—a protected crescent bay where soft, rolling waves provide the perfect classroom for learning. The fishing village atmosphere, with its iconic stilt fishermen and coconut-lined shores, creates a quintessentially Sri Lankan experience. Multiple surf schools cater to beginners, while more experienced surfers can find fun walls when larger swells wrap into the bay. The warm water, consistent conditions, and relaxed vibe have made Weligama a favorite stop on the Asian surf trail.
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka's surf school • Stilt fishermen backdrop • Tropical learning waves
Works best with swells from 200° (SSW). Workable range: 170°-240°.
Ideal size: 1.3m. Too small below 0.5m, too big (closeout) above 2m.
Offshore wind from 30° (NNE). Offshore range: 350°-70°. Best window: morning.
Tourist-friendly beach town. Many surf schools.
Hiriketiya is Sri Lanka's emerging surf destination—a picturesque horseshoe bay on the country's south coast where protected waters create ideal conditions for learners and intermediate surfers. The crescent beach funnels swells into manageable peaks, while the growing collection of cafés and guesthouses along the cliff adds a boutique feel to the experience. It's been called the next big thing in Asian surf travel, though crowds are already arriving. The coconut palm setting, warm water, and mellow vibe capture everything appealing about tropical surf exploration.
🌙 Horseshoe bay beauty • Sri Lanka's next big thing • Protected learning waters
Works best with swells from 180° (S). Workable range: 150°-220°.
Offshore wind from 350° (N). Offshore range: 310°-30°. Best window: morning.
Horseshoe bay. Protected and beginner-friendly.
Ahangama steps up the intensity from Sri Lanka's beginner-friendly breaks—a collection of reef setups along the southern coast that offer more challenging waves and the iconic backdrop of stilt fishermen perched above the surf. Multiple peaks provide options, from mellow corners to more powerful reef sections that demand proper positioning and timing. The village setting is authentically Sri Lankan, with fishing boats lining the beach and the sense of an older, less-developed coast. For surfers seeking to graduate from Weligama, Ahangama provides the next chapter.
🎣 Stilt fisherman waters • Reef break step-up • Authentic Sri Lanka
Works best with swells from 190° (S). Workable range: 160°-220°.
Ideal size: 1.6m. Too small below 0.6m, too big (closeout) above 2.5m.
Known for stilt fishermen. Multiple reef breaks.