Surfing is one of the most popular sports in Sri Lanka and the country as a whole. Surfing is mostly done by foreigners and is not offered at any resorts here. The main reason for this is that diving and snorkeling are also widely practiced in Sri Lanka, and both these activities are prevalent. The country is known for its natural beauty and beautiful beaches. However, the flip side of this is that most of the beaches here are inhospitable to surfers. However, in the last decade or so, more beaches have been developed and offer better surfing conditions.
The first place where you should head while surfing in Sri Lanka is the fabulous and scenic Kandy beach. Kandy is the best surf destination for beginners and experts alike. The water is calm and clean. The waves tend to be longer and generally for larger swimmers. Kandy offers good wave action and has the most pristine water around.
The next and top-rated surfing destination in Sri Lanka is the renowned and beautiful beaches of Wilpattu. Surrounded by palm trees and offering ideal conditions for beginners, Wilpattu is ideal for families with small children. This is a great place for all types of surfers, whether you want to surf solo or with friends and family. The surf here is consistent all year round, making it a top-rated destination for tourists and foreigners staying in the country.
The next beach on our list is the seashore at Wilpattu. It is located at the southern tip of Sri Lanka and is one of the busiest beaches with tourists worldwide. You will find the best time to visit here in March - April. In September and October, the beach tends to get crowded.
The third beach that we will be going to is the Chaweng beach. This is another small beach but still manages to retain its popularity with visitors from abroad. The surf here is quite consistent. In addition to that, the water is crystal clear. Chaweng is also one of the best surfing spots in the country.
The fourth and last beach that we will be discussing is the Hambay beach. The name speaks for itself. The water here tends to be calm during the season but turns choppy during November time. As well as being one of the best surfing beaches in Sri Lanka, it is also one of the most crowded.
These are the four best surfing beaches in Sri Lanka which tourists often visit. Like many other surfing destinations in Sri Lanka, it can be expensive to go to, especially for a single surf session. Although the beaches are relatively safe, most foreign surfers tend not to spend their whole day surfing in any one place as they like many other popular surfing destinations in Sri Lanka.
Overall this was a brief review of the four beaches that you can surf in Sri Lanka. The beaches mentioned here are all relatively popular amongst both locals and tourists. The palm trees make the beaches particularly unique and have always been welcoming to tourists from foreign lands. Overall I would say these are some of the best surfing beaches in Sri Lanka. If you get the chance to visit, then do so. It's worth a trip.
This is the primary beach in the province of Yala, where most visitors end up spending at least one evening. The beaches are fairly shallow, which makes for great swimming. The restaurants and bars along the beach are typically South Indian delights. You'll also find water sports shops here that cater to those looking for more activities beyond just sunbathing. Although the best time to visit here is in the April-June period as this is the dry season.
This is another of the best surfing beaches in Sri Lanka, which is considered the most difficult and crowded region. Waves from nearby oceans often make Hikkaduwa particularly hard to reach. On average, surfers here get around twelve waves during an hour wave session. There are a couple of hotels here, but most are rather expensive. You can, however, stay in a guest house, which will give you a cheaper rate. The best time to visit here is in the spring as temperatures are quite moderate.
This is a relatively small beach close to the town of Hikkaduwa. It has only twenty-eight kilometers of white sand between it and the sea. This makes it ideal for swimming and has traditionally been the spot for beginners to get a surf lesson. This has been the most popular beach in Sri Lanka, with visitors visiting the month of April when there is a large international surf tournament. As the name suggests, the best accommodation to go to here is in a Hikkaduwa villa as this will contribute more to your budget.