There’s nothing that sounds more exotic than riding the waves in an exotic island. Sri Lanka is gifted with beautiful beaches all around the country; making it an ideal place for surfing. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, you are sure to find the right tide for you.
Anything you should know
If you’re planning to head to the east of the island, the best time to go would be within the months of May to October, and if you want to go to the west it would be between November to April. This is because of the 2 Monsoon rains that affect Sri Lanka; which would not create the ideal weather condition for surfing, but this means that there is always a part of the country you can surf in regardless of which part of the year you visit in.
If you don’t know how to surf, you can always take some of the surfing classes offered by local businesses. These classes will also show you the best spots to surf in. These classes may also provide you with surfing equipment if you don’t have any; except for your own wetsuit, of course. There are also some places along the beach that rent out their boards to anyone who wants to catch a wave.
As this takes place in the sea, it is expected that you should be able to swim in case you fall off your board; even though there will be lifeguards on hand.
If you’re just starting out, learning how to surf can be tough, and you’ll probably want to give up each time you make a mistake. It takes a lot of willpower to succeed at is, so keep trying!
Where to go
One of the most famous spots for surfing would be Hikkaduwa; which is in the southwestern part of the country. The area was originally a fishing village, but is now one of the tourist hotspots. The area is filled with restaurants and bars you can spend your time in till you want to get in the water. The waves here are quite strong, and can vary from about 3-10 feet in height.
Unawatuna is another place in Southern Sri Lanka; known for its coral reefs and amazing beaches. This is only about 2 hours away from Colombo, making it the perfect place for a day trip as well. The reefs here are for the more experienced surfers. The area around the beach is also packed with places to lounge in when you’re not surfing.
Ahangama is in the Southern part of the country, and the waves here rise to about 5 feet, and can stretch out over around 350 m. This is also quite close to Galle, so you could head over there and visit the fort in a couple of minutes.
Mirissa is situated in the Southern part of the country, and is a great place for beginners and people who aren’t too great at surfing; the waves here rise to about 3 feet. The other great thing to catch in the area, besides the waves, would be the stunning sunsets and sunrises.
Arugam bay is on the southeast coast of the island. Within the months of April to October, the UK Pro Surfers association holds its Sri Lankan Surf Championships here; which you could even take part in. This is globally known as a good surf spot, and is also great for beginners.
Weligama is located towards the south of the country, and is another good place for people who are learning how to surf. The waves here are as long as 400 m, and rise to about 5 feet. You could head there early morning and surf through the sunrise.
These are the extremely popular areas for surfing, but besides that there are also others available; there’s Midigama, Matara, Bentota, Pottuvil, Talalla south, Okanda, Rathgama, Uppuvelli, Kalpitiya, Talpe, and Dikwella.
With the fact that Sri Lanka is surrounded by water, the next thing that makes it the ideal candidate for surfing expeditions is the fact that you can reach any part of the country within 24 hours. So when you’re planning your trip to Sri Lanka, make sure that you don’t miss out on the chance to surf wherever you can.
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