Learning to Surf in Sri Lanka: A Guide for Beginner Surfers

I never thought I was going to learn to surf in Sri Lanka. It was not on my radar at all until I made it down to Hiriketiya Beach and was persuaded by some new friends to give it a try. After just one lesson, I never looked back. Sri Lanka has burst onto the surf scene in recent years as one of the best places to learn to surf in the world.

With mellow waves, plenty of beginner-friendly spots, warm water all year round, affordable prices, and an abundance of friendly instructors, Sri Lanka is definitely a standout choice for beginner surfers looking to get some confidence in the water.

Whether you’re searching for your very first surf lesson or hoping to sign up for an intensive surf camp, Sri Lanka has plenty of options for learning to surf. After six weeks of lessons and a week-long surf camp, I can say that Sri Lanka definitely converted me to a wannabe surfer chick. If you’re travelling to Sri Lanka in the hope of honing your surf skills, then this guide will outline where, how and when to learn to surf in Sri Lanka.

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Surfing in Sri Lanka: What’s the Surf Scene Like?

Sri Lanka’s south and east coast are dotted with a variety of surf breaks, drawing a growing number of surfers from around the world who come for the year-round warm water. While it’s certainly not as popular as countries like Indonesia, Sri Lanka is starting to cement itself as a fantastic surf destination in Asia.

The whole south coast of Sri Lanka, running from Colombo in the southwest all the way around to Arugam Bay on the east coast is where you’ll find a heavy concentration of surf beaches. There’s certainly popular hubs like Arugam Bay, Hiriketiya Beach, Weligama, and Ahangama, but you’ll still find lesser known local surf breaks in between to escape the crowds.

Sri Lanka has a wide variety of surf breaks. While the vast majority are reef breaks of some kind, you’ll find beginner friendly beach breaks as well. The surf culture is also pretty chill, with minimal localism (compared to places like Australia) and smiles generally all round. However, in peak season, the popular spots do get incredibly crowded, which can be frustrating for some, but this is pretty common anywhere in the world.

Is Sri Lanka Good for Beginner Surfers?

Sri Lanka is fast becoming one of the best places to learn how to surf. The chill surf culture, warm inviting water, mellow waves (for the most part), and affordable prices make Sri Lanka a great option for catching a wave for the first time.

Most surf spots in Sri Lanka are beginner-intermediate level. Soft, rolling waves are pretty common in most places like Hiriketiya, Weligama, and Ahangama. However, there are of course exceptions to this, with some spots known for their gnarly reef breaks. Arugam Bay is perhaps best known for bigger waves suitable for intermediate and above, while there are also some spots like Rams near Midigama on the south coast that are also reserved for advanced surfers used to shallow reef breaks.

However, for this reason, Sri Lanka is perhaps best for not only learning how to surf but also transitioning to reef breaks and gaining confidence in more challenging environments. The variety on offer is perfect for all beginners and intermediates to improve their skills. Plus, the close proximity and access to so many surf spots along the south coast means you can improve a lot in a short time.

How to Learn to Surf in Sri Lanka

Learning to surf in Sri Lanka is pretty simple. You don’t even have to organise anything before arriving, if you don’t want to. However, there are a few different ways you can go about planning a surf trip to the island nation.

You can easily have a lesson with any surf instructor on the popular surf beaches whenever you like, where you can arrange to have a private lesson for 90 minutes. But if you’re serious about learning to surf, then there are also surf camps and even surf hotels which can provide more consistency and professional knowledge.

I tried a combination of these options during my three months in Sri Lanka. I began with private lessons at Hiriketiya Beach and then did a week long surf camp in Weligama. They both have pros and cons, which I’ll explain next.

Surf Instructors and Surf Lessons

Surf instructors are everywhere along the south coast of Sri Lanka. Most surf beaches will have surf boards for rent and also surf instructors ready to give anyone a lesson. You usually don’t even have to pre-book, and you can just approach any of the surf shacks and surf schools directly on the sand.

Weligama, for example, has many surf schools lining the main beach and you can simply go in, hire a board and ask for a lesson. However, a word of warning is that the quality of the surf instructors varies a lot. Some are not even surfers themselves. But, in general, they know the basics and can help you get up on a board.

I started with lessons in Hiriketiya at the nearby beginner beach known as Kudawella Beach. While not as professional as what you’ll find at surf camps, you can find some really great instructors. I had my fair share of average to great instructors, so ask around and don’t be afraid to change instructors after your first lesson, if you’re not happy.

In general, the average surf instructor will charge about 5000 LKR (US$17) for a private lesson including board hire for about 90 minutes. I found this was a really great option for beginners (and those on a budget), especially the private aspect, because at surf camps you’ll be in a group and won’t get to catch as many waves. Still, I definitely found the instructors were more professional at the surf camp I did, and I definitely improved a lot faster that way.

Surf Board Hire

After a few lessons or if you want to practice your skills without an instructor, you can rent a board off the beach at almost any main surf beach in Sri Lanka. Most places charge about 500 LKR (~US$2) per hour, but some surf schools in popular places Hiriketiya Beach are now starting to charge 1000 LKR (~US$4) per hour.

Make sure you inspect the board, including the fins and leash to ensure there’s no pre-existing damage. Most surf schools will make you pay for things if you break them (and surf accessories are quite expensive in Sri Lanka because they’re imported).

Surf Camps

Surf camps are definitely the best option if you’re serious about getting into surfing as a beginner. Surf camps reminded me a lot like school camp, they usually include accommodation, some meals, daily surf lessons, surf theory lessons, video analysis and sometimes yoga as well.

Sri Lanka is home to plenty of surf camps, from large-scale international companies like Kima Surf, Salty Pelican and Elsewhere Surf Camps, which also have branches in other locations like Bali and Portugal. But there’s an increasing amount of small-scale, local surf camps with the same quality of surf lessons.

I usually try to support local businesses, so I really researched surf camps in Sri Lanka before committing to one. I’d heard local instructors were often not paid fairly at the bigger surf camps like Kima, so I tried to find somewhere that treated their staff well.

Layback Surf Camp is one of the only locally owned and managed surf camps. I really loved my stay there. They even employed the first local female surf instructor in Sri Lanka, which is pretty cool. Ocean Tribe Surf Camp is another boutique, local surf camp which is quite similar in their offerings.

Most surf camps have week long programs, so it means you have to dedicate a decent chunk of time to the camp. If you’re not that sure about surfing just yet, I’d recommend opting for a surf lesson on the beach first before dedicating a week to a camp. However, in peak season, surf camps do book out in advance, so that’s something to consider too.

Surf camps vary in price but start from 250 euros for a basic package deal with accommodation and lessons for a week.

Read more: My Review of Layback Surf Camp in Weligama

Surf Hotels

A great alternative to attending a surf camp is staying at what is commonly called a surf hotel. While these vary quite a bit, they’re generally boutique hotels or guesthouses which offer optional surf lessons and board hire from the hotel for a fee. Usually, either a staff member is a surf instructor or they have instructors available upon request. Some of these hotels also have optional yoga classes on offer too.

Sri Lanka has some really beautiful surf hotels that are more like boutique guesthouses located really close to surf breaks. They differ in price, comfort and what they offer, but this can be a great option for those not interested in signing up to a camp style stay. You can also stay at these hotels and not surf, there’s no obligation to join in.

Some of the best surf hotels in Sri Lanka are:

• Dreamsea Sri Lanka (Ahangama)
• Surf Station (Ahangama)
• Solas Surf (Ahangama)
• Lucky’s Surf House (Weligama)
• Whiskey Point Resort (Arugam Bay)
• Drift Villas (Arugam Bay)
• Surf N Sun (Arugam Bay)
• Salt House (Hiriketiya Beach)

Where to Learn to Surf in Sri Lanka: Best Places for Beginner Surfers

While there are plenty of surf beaches in Sri Lanka, there are just a handful of spots that are perfect for beginner surfers. These places have a nice balance between surf rental shacks, surf schools, and surf camps so you can decide between private lessons or signing up to a week long program.

Here are the best places to learn to surf in Sri Lanka:

Weligama

Hands down the best place to learn to surf in Sri Lanka is Weligama. This large town on a long, sweeping bay in the middle of the south coast is a surfing hub. The long beach break in front of town is perfect for beginners, with soft, rolling waves that are rarely too intimidating.

You’ll also find plenty of surf schools lining the beach, so you have choices for board rental and surf instructors. Weligama is also where many surf camps are based, as it’s ideal for beginners to learn in the main bay, plus there’s also nearby reef breaks for intermediate surfers in Ahangama or Midigama (a short tuk tuk ride away).

Ahangama

Just outside of Weligama is Ahangama, which is ideal for intermediate surfers or those looking to transition from beach breaks to reef breaks. There are several popular surf spots spread along the coast in Ahangama, all between 5-15 minutes from Weligama.

Fisherman’s provides consistent long waves at a reef break but requires a long paddle out. Sticks and Marshmallow are also reef breaks that are incredibly popular with intermediate surfers. While the local spot known as Gas Station is perfect for newbies looking to ride their first wave at a reef. These spots don’t have surf schools based there, but most surf camps will transport you to these spots or you can take a tuk tuk there yourself. Or, stay at a nearby surf hotel to have direct access breaks in Ahangama and Midigama.

For a beach break near Ahangama, Kabalana Beach is an upcoming beginner friendly spot to learn to surf and is sometimes quieter than Weligama Main Beach.

Hiriketiya Beach

Hiriketiya Beach was once a little secret surf spot but has now exploded into one of the most popular places on the south coast. This small crescent shaped bay near Dikwella has both a reef break on the left of the bay and more of a beach break to the right. It really caters for all levels, with beginners sticking to the sand on the right, intermediates sitting in the middle, and only experienced surfers attempting the sometimes gnarly point break on the far left.

Lined with lush palm trees, it’s definitely the prettiest surf spot but because of its small size it can get incredibly crowded in high season. You’ll find a few surf schools and board rentals right on the sand, so it’s easy to arrange a lesson or board hire.

For true beginners, sometimes instructors will take you to nearby Kudawella Beach instead, which has consistent baby waves for complete newbies (and far less people). Or, Kudawella also has two surf schools on the beach, so you can take a quick tuk tuk ride from Hiri and rent a board or instructor yourself.

Read more: Hiriketiya Beach: A Guide to Sri Lanka’s Coastal Paradise

Arugam Bay

The mecca of surfing in Sri Lanka, Arugam Bay is usually the host of the national championship surfing competition because of its big swell in the middle of the year. Arugam Bay sits on the east coast, so it’s surf season is completely opposite to the south coast.

Directly in the bay is Baby Point which is perfect for beginners with a sandy bottom, while next to the bay is the main surf point which can produce barrels at its peak. Whiskey Point has become a popular intermediate reef break, just a 20 minute tuk tuk ride from Arugam Bay town.

There’s no shortage of accommodation in Arugam Bay, although most places are tucked away from the beach itself. You can also find an increasing amount of surf camps and surf schools, especially close to Baby Point where lessons happen all day.

Hikkaduwa

A longstanding surf destination for decades, Hikkaduwa is located closer to the southwest of Sri Lanka near Galle. The beginner surf schools are based around the southern end of Hikkaduwa, known locally as Narigama Beach. While intermediate surfers tend to head north of town to the jetty.

The good variety of spots all within a short distance of each other has made it a popular spot for learning to surf and for those slowly progressing to reef breaks. It can be incredibly crowded during the main season, but you’ll find plenty of accommodation and surf schools catering for everyone just back from the sand.

Best Time for Surfing in Sri Lanka: When to Surf in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has two monsoon seasons affecting different parts of the country. There’s no single best month to surf in Sri Lanka, with ever-changing weather. Fortunately for surfers, this means that you’ll find good surf conditions all year round, you just have to move from the southwest to the east coast at different times. Sri Lanka is quite unique in this way!

Here are the two monsoon seasons affecting surf conditions in Sri Lanka:

Southwest Monsoon (May – October): This is the main monsoon season affecting the south and west coasts of Sri Lanka and is characterised by poor surfing conditions and close outs, plus rainy and cloudy weather. However, this is the peak surfing season for Arugam Bay and is when the east coast is pumping with consistent swell brining barrels and big waves to the southeast. You’ll find most surfers hanging out in Arugam Bay during this time.

Northeast Monsoon (November – April): The monsoon moves to the east coast from the end of October onwards. The weather dries out along the entire south coast and the waves become tidier, cleaner and bigger in places like Hiriketiya, Weligama, and Hikkaduwa. Surfers slowly move back down to the south coast from Arugam Bay by November and spend most of the time up until April travelling between Colombo and Tangalle.

Tips for Learning to Surf in Sri Lanka

• For surf lessons, you only need to wear a swimsuit, although sometimes the surf schools and surf camps will provide rash tops to wear (ideal)
• For beginners starting on a soft board, you’ll likely get some sort of board rash on your stomach or legs, it’s advised to wear a rash top or even a t-shirt and bike shorts or leggings to protect your skin
• The Sri Lankan sun is VERY strong, you’ll be getting burnt out in the water without even realising, so definitely apply sunscreen every time before heading out, preferably with zinc in it
• Even if you don’t seem to get it straight away or have a bad day, surfing requires persistence and patience, it takes a lot of time to get better so don’t give up!
• Be prepared to feel plenty of muscle aches and body pains after your first few lessons, surfing is HARD and tiring. It helps if you have good upper body strength, so try to do some push ups every day before arriving to help with your pop up
• Sea urchins are a bit of a problem in the shallow reef breaks, particularly in Hiriketiya Beach to the left side. Be careful, because I saw first hand someone having to go to hospital with a sea urchin in their foot!
• Rips and currents are common in some places, so be prepared and know to swim sideways to get out of the rip. This is especially common in Hiriketiya Beach closer to the edges
• Watch YouTube videos and tutorials to pick up new tips for surfing. All instructors have their own quirks and tips, so you can always gain new knowledge by watching videos and asking questions from different people

HAPPY SURFING! 🤙

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