Strike Mission Surf Spots
type: ItemList
description: Expert-verified surf spot database with detailed swell/wind parameters, hazards, and travel information
number of items: 4
item list element: Arugam Bay
item list element: Weligama Bay
item list element: Hiriketiya
item list element: Ahangama
provider: Strike Mission
  type: Organization
  description: Surf forecast intelligence platform
date published: 2026-01-20
date modified: 2026-08-05T03:16:26.639Z

Arugam Bay
type: TouristAttraction
description: 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.
disambiguating description: 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka's best • Long peeling rights • Tropical backpacker vibe
geo: GeoCoordinates
  latitude: 6.84
  longitude: 81.833
address: PostalAddress
  address locality: Eastern Province
  address country: Sri Lanka
  address region: Indian Ocean
additional property: Wave Type
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Point
  description: This is a point break, breaking right.
additional property: Optimal Swell Direction
  type: PropertyValue
  value: 180°
  description: Works best with swells from 180° (S). Workable range: 150°-210°.
additional property: Swell Size Sweet Spot
  type: PropertyValue
  value: 0.8m - 2.5m
  description: Ideal size: 1.6m. Too small below 0.8m, too big (closeout) above 2.5m.
additional property: Swell Period
  type: PropertyValue
  value: 10s - 14s
  description: Needs at least 10s period. Ideal: 14s+ (long-period groundswell).
additional property: Optimal Wind
  type: PropertyValue
  value: 315° (NW)
  description: Offshore wind from 315° (NW). Offshore range: 270°-360°. Best window: morning.
additional property: Tide Preference
  type: PropertyValue
  value: all
  description: Works best between 0.5m and 1.5m tide.
additional property: Primary Season
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
  description: SW monsoon season. Best May-Sept.
tourist type: All skill levels
warning: Warning
  text: 🪨 Rocks, 👥 Crowded
  description: Rocky bottom. Gets crowded in peak season.
accessibility API: Nearest airport: CMB
  type: Place
  description: 300 minutes drive from CMB airport.
content rating: community
contributor: Strike Mission Team
llm context:
  difficulty: 4
  crowd level: 7
  water temp c: 28
  best board: shortboard
  swell physics:
    explanation: 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.
    optimal direction degrees: 180
    workable range min: 150
    workable range max: 210
    sweet spot size m: 1.65
  wind physics:
    explanation: 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.
    optimal offshore degrees: 315
    offshore range min: 270
    offshore range max: 360
    max offshore speed kmh: 40
  travel logistics:
    nearest airport: CMB
    drive time minutes: 300
    boat required: false
    boat cost usd per day: 0
    access notes: 5-6hr drive from Colombo.
  best season:
    primary months: 4
    primary months: 5
    primary months: 6
    primary months: 7
    primary months: 8
    primary months: 9
    primary months names: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
    secondary months: 10
    secondary months names: Oct
    season explanation: SW monsoon season. Best May-Sept.

Weligama Bay
type: TouristAttraction
description: 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.
disambiguating description: 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka's surf school • Stilt fishermen backdrop • Tropical learning waves
geo: GeoCoordinates
  latitude: 5.9725
  longitude: 80.4297
address: PostalAddress
  address locality: Southern Province
  address country: Sri Lanka
  address region: Indian Ocean
additional property: Wave Type
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Beach
  description: This is a beach break, breaking both.
additional property: Optimal Swell Direction
  type: PropertyValue
  value: 200°
  description: Works best with swells from 200° (SSW). Workable range: 170°-240°.
additional property: Swell Size Sweet Spot
  type: PropertyValue
  value: 0.5m - 2m
  description: Ideal size: 1.3m. Too small below 0.5m, too big (closeout) above 2m.
additional property: Swell Period
  type: PropertyValue
  value: 10s - 14s
  description: Needs at least 10s period. Ideal: 14s+ (long-period groundswell).
additional property: Optimal Wind
  type: PropertyValue
  value: 30° (NNE)
  description: Offshore wind from 30° (NNE). Offshore range: 350°-70°. Best window: morning.
additional property: Tide Preference
  type: PropertyValue
  value: all
  description: Works best between 0.3m and 1.5m tide.
additional property: Primary Season
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
  description: NE monsoon season. November-April.
tourist type: All skill levels
warning: Warning
  text: 👥 Crowded
  description: Beginner-friendly but can get crowded.
accessibility API: Nearest airport: CMB
  type: Place
  description: 150 minutes drive from CMB airport.
content rating: verified
contributor: Sri Lanka surf community
llm context:
  difficulty: 2
  crowd level: 6
  water temp c: 28
  best board: shortboard
  swell physics:
    explanation: 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.
    optimal direction degrees: 200
    workable range min: 170
    workable range max: 240
    sweet spot size m: 1.25
  wind physics:
    explanation: 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.
    optimal offshore degrees: 30
    offshore range min: 350
    offshore range max: 70
    max offshore speed kmh: 35
  travel logistics:
    nearest airport: CMB
    drive time minutes: 150
    boat required: false
    boat cost usd per day: 0
    access notes: Tourist-friendly beach town. Many surf schools.
  best season:
    primary months: 11
    primary months: 12
    primary months: 1
    primary months: 2
    primary months: 3
    primary months: 4
    primary months names: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
    season explanation: NE monsoon season. November-April.

Hiriketiya
type: TouristAttraction
description: 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.
disambiguating description: 🌙 Horseshoe bay beauty • Sri Lanka's next big thing • Protected learning waters
geo: GeoCoordinates
  latitude: 5.9494
  longitude: 80.7361
address: PostalAddress
  address locality: Southern Province
  address country: Sri Lanka
  address region: Indian Ocean
additional property: Wave Type
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Beach
  description: This is a beach break, breaking both.
additional property: Optimal Swell Direction
  type: PropertyValue
  value: 180°
  description: Works best with swells from 180° (S). Workable range: 150°-220°.
additional property: Swell Size Sweet Spot
  type: PropertyValue
  value: 0.5m - 2m
  description: Ideal size: 1.3m. Too small below 0.5m, too big (closeout) above 2m.
additional property: Swell Period
  type: PropertyValue
  value: 10s - 14s
  description: Needs at least 10s period. Ideal: 14s+ (long-period groundswell).
additional property: Optimal Wind
  type: PropertyValue
  value: 350° (N)
  description: Offshore wind from 350° (N). Offshore range: 310°-30°. Best window: morning.
additional property: Tide Preference
  type: PropertyValue
  value: all
  description: Works best between 0.3m and 1.4m tide.
additional property: Primary Season
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
  description: NE monsoon season. November-April.
tourist type: All skill levels
warning: Warning
  text: 👥 Crowded
  description: Getting crowded with tourism growth.
accessibility API: Nearest airport: CMB
  type: Place
  description: 180 minutes drive from CMB airport.
content rating: verified
contributor: Sri Lanka surf community
llm context:
  difficulty: 3
  crowd level: 5
  water temp c: 28
  best board: shortboard
  swell physics:
    explanation: 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.
    optimal direction degrees: 180
    workable range min: 150
    workable range max: 220
    sweet spot size m: 1.25
  wind physics:
    explanation: 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.
    optimal offshore degrees: 350
    offshore range min: 310
    offshore range max: 30
    max offshore speed kmh: 35
  travel logistics:
    nearest airport: CMB
    drive time minutes: 180
    boat required: false
    boat cost usd per day: 0
    access notes: Horseshoe bay. Protected and beginner-friendly.
  best season:
    primary months: 11
    primary months: 12
    primary months: 1
    primary months: 2
    primary months: 3
    primary months: 4
    primary months names: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
    season explanation: NE monsoon season. November-April.

Ahangama
type: TouristAttraction
description: 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.
disambiguating description: 🎣 Stilt fisherman waters • Reef break step-up • Authentic Sri Lanka
geo: GeoCoordinates
  latitude: 5.9722
  longitude: 80.3667
address: PostalAddress
  address locality: Southern Province
  address country: Sri Lanka
  address region: Indian Ocean
additional property: Wave Type
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Reef
  description: This is a reef break, breaking both.
additional property: Optimal Swell Direction
  type: PropertyValue
  value: 190°
  description: Works best with swells from 190° (S). Workable range: 160°-220°.
additional property: Swell Size Sweet Spot
  type: PropertyValue
  value: 0.6m - 2.5m
  description: Ideal size: 1.6m. Too small below 0.6m, too big (closeout) above 2.5m.
additional property: Swell Period
  type: PropertyValue
  value: 10s - 14s
  description: Needs at least 10s period. Ideal: 14s+ (long-period groundswell).
additional property: Optimal Wind
  type: PropertyValue
  value: 30° (NNE)
  description: Offshore wind from 30° (NNE). Offshore range: 350°-70°. Best window: morning.
additional property: Tide Preference
  type: PropertyValue
  value: mid-high
  description: Works best between 0.4m and 1.5m tide.
additional property: Primary Season
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
  description: NE monsoon season. November-April.
tourist type: Intermediate to advanced
warning: Warning
  text: 🪸 Sharp reef, 🦔 Urchins
  description: Shallow reef. Sea urchins present.
accessibility API: Nearest airport: CMB
  type: Place
  description: 140 minutes drive from CMB airport.
content rating: verified
contributor: Sri Lanka surf community
llm context:
  difficulty: 5
  crowd level: 4
  water temp c: 28
  best board: shortboard
  swell physics:
    explanation: 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.
    optimal direction degrees: 190
    workable range min: 160
    workable range max: 220
    sweet spot size m: 1.55
  wind physics:
    explanation: 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.
    optimal offshore degrees: 30
    offshore range min: 350
    offshore range max: 70
    max offshore speed kmh: 35
  travel logistics:
    nearest airport: CMB
    drive time minutes: 140
    boat required: false
    boat cost usd per day: 0
    access notes: Known for stilt fishermen. Multiple reef breaks.
  best season:
    primary months: 11
    primary months: 12
    primary months: 1
    primary months: 2
    primary months: 3
    primary months: 4
    primary months names: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
    season explanation: NE monsoon season. November-April.