One of the biggest bonuses of Sri Lanka surf is that you have two coastlines to choose from: south coast and west coast.
Better yet, they work at opposite times of the year, which means when one coastline goes quiet you can simply head across and sample the surfing delights of the other. Reef breaks, point breaks, beach breaks... there are waves for all skill levels.
For this article, we'll focus on south coast Sri Lanka surfing. Check out our surf trip first-timer guide below.
Should I surf the west coast or south coast?
Both coastlines of Sri Lanka offer fantastic surfing experiences, but the south coast stands out for its consistency and mellow surf breaks.
Within a 40-minute drive, surfers can find a diverse range of warm water breaks and playful waves, allowing for multiple sessions daily. Cue the noodle arms and sunburn.
That said, peak spots can get crowded, which means local knowledge if you want to surf south Sri Lanka is important.
You also need to weigh up the fact that the south coast’s waves break best at a certain time of year, which brings us to our next point...
When is the ideal south coast Sri Lanka surf season?
Looking to escape a cold northern-hemisphere winter or small southern-hemisphere summer waves? The south coast Sri Lanka surf season runs from November to April.
This period is called the Maha season, otherwise known as the northeastern monsoon season.
Offshore northeast winds blow frequently, smoothing out the south coast's many surf breaks and creating dreamy Indian Ocean surf conditions.
Everywhere from Hiriketiya to Hikkaduwa lights up, and with tidy swells and a wide variety of breaks on offer, you and your friends can score just about every day.
The only caveat? Like most of the world's surf spots, the onshore can puff up around 11am, so set your alarm for the early session. You'll up your odds of getting smooth waves and you'll beat the crowds.
Get an expert breakdown on Sri Lanka.
Which skill level is the southern coast suited to?
Honestly, the south coast of Sri Lanka is suited to all levels.
There are super chill beginner waves breaking over soft sand, as well as long and hollow a-frames that are perfect for intermediate to advanced surfers.
Again, it helps having a surf guide or at least some local knowledge for your surf trip, but there are so many surf spots that you're bound to find something that suits your skill level.
What are the most consistent south coast surf beaches?
Unakuruwa Beach
Unakuruwa Beach break is a semi-hidden cove on the south coast, attracting only a handful of surfers who enjoy its laidback atmosphere and warm hospitality.
The bay itself is ideal for beginners due to its protection from strong waves, while more experienced surfers can find fizzing left and right point breaks further out the back.
Rams
Just a quick 15-minute stroll north of the village of Gurubebila, Rams is a fast and hollow yet highly rideable wave perfect for those at the intermediate to advanced levels.
It's a great surf spot if you're chasing your first tube, with rights and the occasional left breaking over shallow reef. Rams also holds some size, too, so come here when the waves are too big for other beach break surf spots.
Dikwella
Dikwella, located on the stunning southern coast of Sri Lanka, is a sandy-bottom hotspot for beach lovers and surfers alike.
While its beautiful horseshoe beach has long attracted visitors, the surf scene is just starting to gain recognition.
It's not the most challenging of surf spots in south Sri Lanka by a long shot, but it's definitely the best for beginners and families with kids with plenty of surf schools and surf camps on offer.
Coconut Point
This is a classic a-frame wave, offering powerful peeling lefts and rights that run for up to 400 metres when it's on.
The waves are best at high tide with a decent overhead swell. Even smaller days are super fun for beginner and intermediate surfers. The left is slightly longer than the right, but both hold size and shape extremely well.
Kabalana Beach
Kabalana, also known as "The Rock", is a premier surf spot on the south coast due to its consistent waves and picturesque setting.
Given its reputation you can expect a few people here. The good news is that there are plenty of waves within a short tuk-tuk drive. The wave here is a long, fast righthander that works best with offshore winds in the morning.
It's also walking distance (only 200 metres) from our Sri Lanka Ahangama Surf House.
Mirissa
Mirissa boasts a stunning crescent-shaped sandy beach fringed with palm trees and full of friendly locals. There's a cruisy righthander over reef on one side and a nice lefthander closer to the harbour.
Note that it can get shallow on the lower tides, but so long as the swell is a manageable 2-4 foot, you should have no problems.
Perfect for beginners, intermediates and even more advanced surfers looking to gain more confidence when it comes to reef break surfing in south Sri Lanka.
Final thoughts
The bottom line? We love to surf south Sri Lanka. You've got long longboard waves, punchy a-frames and soft beginner surf spots all within a short drive.
You'll have plenty of opportunity to advance your surf level while here, and so long as you don't mind waking up early to beat the late-morning onshore winds, you can almost guarantee groomed waves and consistent swell on your Sri Lanka surf trip.
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