The Southwest Sri Lanka Surf Spot Guide
Sri Lanka is well known for its warm waters, mellow waves and beautiful beaches. From the end of October to the beginning of April, the Southwest coast lights up and becomes a mecca for surfers from all over the world. It’s not hard to see why when it holds bragging rights to some of the best surf spots in Sri Lanka. During these months, swells become more consistent and the trade winds turn offshore making conditions ideal for surfing.
Many people surfing in Sri Lanka base themselves in the chilled village of Midigama as this location has no less than five good surf spots that consistently work, all within about 15 minutes walk of each other. This guide covers each of those spots, plus the best surf spots in either direction which can be easily accessed by tuk tuk or scooter.
As Sri Lanka is not particularly affected by tidal variation, these spots can be surfed on all tides.
Map of Southwest Sri Lanka Surf Spots
Each of the surf spots listed in this guide can be found in the interactive map below:
Midigama Surf Spots
Starting at the far Eastern end of Midigama and working West:
Coconuts
A powerful wave offering up fast rights and sometimes hollow lefts, Coconuts can hold up to 6ft on a long period swell. Be aware of the reef as you near the beach.
Paddle out from the same entry point as Plantations surf spot, through a break in the rocks along the shoreline, or paddle straight out over the reef in front of the break. This spot is usually less crowded than its neighbour, Plantations.
Suitable for advanced intermediates and up.
Plantations
A deep, sand bottom reef break, Plantations produces fun peeling rights and depending on the swell direction, a nice left (watch out for the rocks). If the swell direction is coming straight into the beach, a second peak works on the inside and is usually less crowded than the main peak. As with Coconuts, be aware of the reef as you near the beach.
The entry point and channel is from a break in the rocks that line the shore.
Suitable for advanced beginners and up.
Rams
After a steep, fast take-off, this popular A-frame provides short, fast lefts and barreling rights. Breaking over sharp, shallow reef, this spot holds up to 5-6ft on the right swell. Enter from the small beach in front of the break or go in straight from the rocks that line the shore.
Suitable for advanced surfers only.
Lazy Left
This spot is one of the most popular and therefore most crowded in Midigama. Lazy Left, as the name suggests, produces long peeling lefts which mellow out after a steep take off. The waves break over deep reef making it a good introduction to reef surfing. This spot can hold up to about 5ft.
Paddle out from the beach and aim for the channel between where the waves are breaking off Lazy Left and Lazy Right. This makes the paddle out much easier than it looks!
Suitable for intermediates and up.
Lazy Right
Often overlooked in favour of Lazy Left, neighbouring Lazy Right offers mellow rights and lefts, and on the right swell conditions can produce long rides all the way back to the beach.
Less experienced surfers will probably feel more comfortable surfing the peak on the inside. The waves break and reform so don’t be afraid to catch the wave just as it has broken and surf back onto the green face; the wave breaks gently on the inside and sometimes it’s the only way to take off!
Paddle out from the beach in front of the break. Take care to time it right as this beach is a massive shore dump!
Of all the breaks in the area, Lazy Right is the most susceptible to swell size and direction and doesn’t always work.
Suitable for advanced beginners and up.
Read more: The Ultimate Midigama Surf & Travel Guide
Beyond Midigama to the East
A short tuk tuk or scooter ride in either direction will take you to numerous other breaks.
Weligama
Widely regarded as the best place in Sri Lanka to learn to surf, absolute beginners will be comfortable in sandy Weligama Bay. There is a slight cross-shore current but it’s not strong. More experienced surfers will also find something to get their stoke on with this spot holding up to 5ft.
The peak in front of the Marriott Hotel tends to be the most consistent but a small wave for beginners may also be found in front of the island. This break can get very crowded in peak season and surfing at first light is a good option to avoid the crowds. Water quality is not as good as neighbouring spots, especially after heavy rain.
Suitable for absolute beginners and up.
Mirissa
A good sheltered spot, and one to consider if you are surfing out of season, Mirissa is a picturesque reef break fringed by palm trees. A fun right hander can be found at the Western end of the beach and a left by the harbour. This spot holds up to 5-6ft.
Expect to contend with crowds and watch out for urchins, this break is one of the worst for them!
Suitable for intermediates and up though be aware that it can get quite shallow on low tide.
Beyond Midigama to the West
Sticks
Just West of Ahangama, this is lesser known and therefore less crowded spot, produces a nice peeling A-frame that can hold up to 5ft. On smaller swells it is a really fun longboarding wave. A sandy reef break, be aware that this spot can get quite shallow on the inside.
As you leave Ahangama to the West you will see a restaurant and RDS Surf School on the lefthand side of the road. The stilt fishermen’s poles will confirm you have the right location.
Paddle out from the steps that lead down over the rocks.
Suitable for intermediates and up.
Kabalana
A few minutes further West, a perfect A-frame breaks over sandy reef just in front of ‘The Rock’. A powerful wave with a steep take off, this break is considered one of the best in Sri Lanka. Its quality is no secret though so expect to compete for waves with the masses during the main surfing season.
To the left of the ‘The Rock’, Kabalana also has a powerful beach break. Depending on the swell it can be challenging with waves breaking heavily in pretty shallow water. The beach is suitable for beginners but you will find stronger cross-shore currents than at Weligama.
Read more: Surf Sri Lanka – The Ultimate Guide
What’s your favourite Southwest Sri Lanka surf spot?
Share your favourite Southwest Sri Lanka surf spots or any more tips in the comments below. If you have any questions, just leave a comment and I will do my best to answer them.
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Happy surfing!
