Surfing in Sri Lanka – The Different Regions and Surf Spots

Sri Lanka's surf regions can be divided in West and East. The East Coast works very well between May and October. The surf season in the West starts in January and ends in April. Also November and December offer quality conditions.

EAST

Arugam Bay

This is the most famous wave you'll hear about if you ever find yourself searching for a surf spot in Sri Lanka. Its popularity is mostly due to the fact that it has something to offer for every kind of surfer, advanced or beginner. Not to mention the amazing sandy beaches and the chilled local vibe. Arugam Bay is the most well known swell on the East Coast, so it can attract a big crowd. A useful tip to handle the masses would be to paddle further out and patiently wait for the wider waves out back. The diversity of people won't let anyone feel out of place, but if this bunch ever gets too much to deal with, there are many other spots close by accessible via the local tuk tuk rides.
The point-break wave breaks over a reef to the right, so this surf is recommended for funboarders or shortboarders. The ocean bed is sandy and rocky, the beaches sandy. The best conditions for surfing in this spot are: Swell SW - SE, Size 3 - 6ft, Wind NE - E, Tide Low - Mid

Okanda

This spot offers an unforgettable experience, with its remoteness and rather difficult access by dirt tracks it has an adventurous vibe to it. It's a rather long drive, so a guide may be necessary to help you get there, but the uniqueness of this place is worth the trouble. Okanda is a right-hand point break, and more often that not it's available for a solo surf. This wave however is more suitable for experienced surfers. Okanda offers a sandy bottom and clean beach with the best surfing conditions being: Swell SW - SE, Size 2 - 5ft, Wind NE - E, Tide Mid - Low

Peanut Farm

Peanut Farm is a great alternative for the often-crowded Arugam Bay as it's really close by, but usually much more secluded. It's a fun and easy surf for everyone with a sand bottom and right-handed point break. A big plus is that Peanut Farm is easily accessible on a tuk tuk from the bay. This makes it a perfect spot for beginners as well as for the pros who wish to escape the fuss going on in Arugam Bay. The best conditions for this surf are: Swell SW - SE, Size 2 - 5ft, Wind NE - E, Tide Low - Mid

Pottuvil Point

Pottuvil Point is a fun, right-hand reef break with a wave that runs all the way to the shore for almost a kilometre. The break is so close to the shore it's really easy to just step onto the soft sand and run back in. This spot is just a short 6km tuk tuk ride away from Arugam Bay and it's a bit smaller, but experienced surfers will also enjoy this surf on a better swell. The best surfing conditions for this spot are: Swell SW - SE, Size 2 - 5ft, Wind NE - E, Tide Low - Mid

WEST

Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa is the surf capital of the west coast in Sri Lanka with its right-hand A frame peak and also the favoured left break into a channel over a mix of sand and coral reef. The waves are attractive for all surfers with varying skill sets including an increasing amount of the locals, who are taking example from the tourists. The surf is suitable for funboarders, longboarders and shortboarders and has a combination of reef, sand and rock on the bottom. The best conditions in this spot are: Swell SW, Size 2 - 5ft, Wind NE, Tide - All

Matara

Matara is a classic surfing beach with a powerful right-hander and break on all tides. The surf is suited for everyone at all levels due to the pleasant wave that breaks over sand and reef to create a long run of about 200m. The spot is quite easily accessible and it's not hard to paddle out. The best conditions for this surf are: Swell SW, Size 2 - 5ft, Wind N, Tide All

Unawatuna Bay

This spot is usually reserved for the more experienced surfers because of the strong right-hand reef break. Usually it is surfed only by a few people, mostly locals who know their way around a wave. Friendlier waves can be surfed closer to the bay, but generally the spot is quite empty. Unawatuna has as sand and rock bottom and it's quite easy to paddle out. Best conditions for this surf are: Swell SW, Size 2 - 4FT, Wind E, Tide Mid going Low

Weligama

Weligama is the perfect spot for beginners. It's an enormous beach inside Weligama Bay and produces a variety of left- and right-handers that can easily be surfed at any given time. The wave breaks regularly over a sandy bottom and in the best of conditons can create long and smooth rides. The best conditions for this surf are: Swell SW, Size 2 - 6ft, Wind NE, Tide All

Travelling to and around Sri Lanka

Thanks to the favourable weather conditions in Sri Lanka, the island is great for a surf holiday at any time of the year. When it comes to getting there, the most popular way is by plane to one of the two international airports on the island via many airline companies such as Singapore Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines, Emirates Airlines or Qatar airways. If you're travelling from the USA or Canada you may need to consider a layover in Europe. The ticket prices are rather constant all year, but the earlier the flight is booked, the cheaper their price. We recommend looking at travel websites like

• Skyscanner
• Kayak
• Cheapflights

The surf spots are pretty easily accessible from the airport via train of tuk-tuk ride. Trains run a few times a day and are actually surprisingly punctual.

Even though Sri Lankan people are famous for their hospitality, there are some rules you should take notice of when booking your trip. For instance, religious tattoos are considered offensive and visitors with Buddha tattoos or other religious tattoos may well be arrested or deported. If you wish to come despite the warnings, best cover the tattoo at all times when outside the ocean. Also, keep in mind that Sri Lanka values its clean air and smoking is forbidden in most places.

The History of Surfing in Sri Lanka

Surf tourism has been a substantial source of income in Sri Lanka for a long time now due to the tropical weather, warm water, beautiful sandy beaches and of course, the amazing surf, however the surfing tradition was disrupted during the Civil War in Sri Lanka (1983-2009). At this time the island was struggling not only with the war, but also the consequences of the disastrous tsunami that hit Sri Lanka in 2004. These events made it difficult for locals to safely access beaches and tourists were hesitant about visiting the surf spots.

In the last decade though, surfing has expanded both as a trend and a business and more people than ever are interested in what the island has to offer. The demand for surf schools and surf camps is higher than ever and is only likely to increase in the future, as Sri Lanka becomes a more popular surf spot. People from all over the world come to surf Sri Lanka's waves, go on adventures around the jungle or exploring the giant Buddha statues. Nowadays, surfing is an important part of the islanders' lives and Sri Lanka even hosts some surfing events and competitions.

Surf Events in Sri Lanka

International Surfing Competition in Arugam Bay - June 2017 to July 2017

Arugam Bay which is ranked among the top surf points in the world will host the international surfing competition this year. Surfers taking part in the competition are guaranteed to find the ideal waves for surfing at the bay. If you are visiting Sri Lanka during the months of June and July don't miss this exciting event.

Arugam Bay Red Bull Ride My Wave - July 23rd

Competing surfers will take on the waves in a head to head competition to be crowned champion of Red Bull Ride My Wave

Culture in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is home to around 21 million people speaking mostly Sinhala and Tamil languages, out of which both are national languages, but Sinhala is the only official one. The country is divided into 8 provinces: Central, North Central, North Eastern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva and Western. Sri Lankan people are often well educated (highest literacy rate in South Asia with 92%) and are quick to adapt western behaviours, inspired by incoming tourists. Despite this, Sri Lankan people have very strong traditions. Ancient festivals and rituals are still performed (sometimes especially for tourists, but mostly by the more conservative Sinhala and Tamil. According to ethnicity the island could be divided into the Sinhalese North and Tamil South.

A pretty cool thing is the Sri Lankan view on gender equality. The country has been known to favour equality for thousands of years, as both men and women have ruled the land and ancient drawings portray men and women with the same status and wearing the same clothes. Actually, the first female prime minister ever was Sri Lankan. What an example!

Sri Lankan people are very much into cricket, but volleyball is their actual national sport, so if you get informed on that, you'll definitely score some points with the locals.

Locals had been surfing their beaches since way before the island became a popular place to visit, but the sport was disrupted during the civil war and later as a consequence of the 2004 tsunami. However, in the last couple of years surfing has been revived and more local people than ever are surfing, probably encouraged by the visiting surfers. Locals have been described as hospitable and generous. They most often enjoy the influx of tourists as they associate them with business. Many people rent out surf boards from their homes, many artists and craftsmen sell their products on beaches and streets and even the traditional stilt fishermen seem to like being watched and photographed. Find more about Sri Lanka's culture here.

Weather, Climate and Water Temperature

In Sri Lanka you can find really fun waves featuring offshore wind, which is super consistent during monsoon season (wind and precipitation). Also, you can find good surf almost the whole year: at the southwest coast, the best season is from November to March and it the east coast from May to September; so if you want to surf and enjoy, then you should pick those dates for your trip.

About the weather itself, it’s a tropical climate with distinct dry season (from May to October) and wet season (from November to April) at the West Coast’s spots, like Arugam Bay; all of it slashed by the monsoon. Generally, the best time to travel to Sri Lanka could be between November and March for the West coast and between April and September for the East coast; so you are nice and dry out of the monsoons and you can also coincide with the surf seasons, with a 27ºC average temperature the whole year. Wannasurf gives you more insights about the weather conditions. Check it out!

Food in Sri Lanka

Seafood, curries, rice dishes and meats - that is the traditional foods you can expect to find in Sri Lanka in 6 words. Most of the most popular dishes are variations of the products above, e.g.:

• Fish ambul thiyal (sour fish curry)
• Kottu (Chopped bread with vegetables and/or meats)
• Kukul mas curry (chicken curry)
• Hoppers (Sri Lankan pancakes)
• Gotu kola sambol (pennywort salad)

Top 10 Highlights

1. Yala National Park

It's a must-see kind of place if you're ever in Sri Lanka. The Yala National Park has amazing wildlife featuring leopards and elephants. Rent a tour with a local Jeep safari. The experienced guides will show you the best spots to see the wild animals.

2. Snorkelling

The Indian Ocean is full of colorful life. You can book your diving tour with Sri Lanka Diving Tours in Trincomalee or Baticaloa. They will provide you with gear and knowledge and bring you to the nicest spots of course.

3. Stilt fishing

The stilt fishers symbolize the country like nothing else. That's why you will find them on every second postcard. Fishers use the traditional stilt technique all around Sri Lanka, almost always in the Weligama area. But be careful: If you try to take a photo some of them will come out of the water to claim money for the picture.

4. Waterfalls

There are plenty of waterfalls in Sri Lanka but the highest and for sure the most iconic waterfall is the Bambarakanda. It's not too far away from the capital Colombo. So you can visit the waterfall right before or after your trip through the beautiful country.

5. Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

If you weren't lucky and couldn't get a glimpse of an elephant in the Yala National Park, here's your second chance. The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in the same-named village is a nice place for sick and orphaned elephants. You can support the organization by visiting the peaceful animals.

6. Sigiriya

Apparently one of the unofficial 8^th wonder of the ancient world, reported by many travellers as worthy of visiting. King Kassapa I. built a fortress on the 200 meter high monolith 500 A.D. You can still admire the old remnants.

7. Hiking

There aren't only beaches, old fortresses and wild animals to see. In the center of Sri Lanka is Ella, a nice little village surrounded by tea plantations and forests. You should absolutely go for a hike in the beautiful nature and visit one of the tea factories. At clear sight you can see the west, east and south coast at the same time. Suddenly everything seems to be very small.

8. Whale Watching

Mirissa is the place to be when it comes to watching the big noble animals. The guides know exactly where the whales appear and it's almost guaranteed to see one of the giant sea dwellers.

9. Hot Air Ballooning

Everything is more spectacular from above. Try it and you'll get a unique feeling for the island's small size. You're gonna be able to look from coast to coast.

10. Walking Around and Exploring

The island is full of more or less well known spots that are ready to be explored. So just put your shoes on and start walking!

Why Sri Lanka with Planet Surfcamps?

Sri Lanka offers the dream surfing conditions throughout most of the year and produces waves to satisfy the needs of every surfer, no matter their surfing levels. It's becoming increasingly popular with tourists and surfers from all around the world making it the perfect place to set up a surf camp.

Qualified surf instructors from Planet Surf Camp Sri Lanka will make beginners feel safe in the ocean and challenge those of you who are more experienced. The appeal of this island is that the waves are reliable enough to ensure that no camper misses out on the surfing experience. You can get more information about the Planet Surfcamp surf courses

Sri Lanka is an amazing place to meet new people with its diverse international tourism and plenty of unexploited spots that attract those seeking to escape from the masses and surf a destination only known to a special few.

While in Sri Lanka there is so much more that you can do after a long day in the ocean. If you feel like doing exercise, the amazing landscapes will provide you with sights that you will never forget. It's also fascinating to just walk around and get to know the local customs and traditions, you'll find that they're so much different that anything else you've ever seen.

If you're more into the party scene than the exploring scene, don't fret, Sri Lanka is prepared for that as well. More and more local bars and clubs are opening up in the bigger towns as the residents' response to the growing tourism in the area. You'll find cool spots all around to unwind with some good music after your surf course.

Not many things are certain in this world, but this we know for sure: a surf holiday with Planet Surf in Sri Lanka will be an experience you'll never forget.