Surfing in Sri Lanka: a surf trip with your own driver
Two coasts, two seasons. Where to learn, what lessons cost and how to add a surf week to a round trip.
You can surf in Sri Lanka all year, because its two coasts have opposite seasons. From about November to April the waves are on the south and south-west coast (Weligama, Midigama, Ahangama, Hiriketiya, Hikkaduwa). From about May to October they are on the east coast around Arugam Bay. A group lesson with a board costs about US$15–30, and the sea is 27–30 °C, so you surf in board shorts or a rash vest.
When is the surf season in Sri Lanka?
| South and south-west coast | East coast (Arugam Bay) | |
|---|---|---|
| Season | about November to April | about May to October |
| Most reliable | December to March | June to September |
| Shoulder months | late October, April | April, October |
In the shoulder months you can sometimes surf both coasts, depending on the weather that year. Most surfers pick one coast. Our guide to Sri Lanka’s best surf spots by season covers every spot and month; for the weather in general, see the best time to visit Sri Lanka.
Where should beginners, intermediates and advanced surfers go?
| Level | South coast (November–April) | East coast (May–October) |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Weligama Bay, Hiriketiya beach break | Baby Point, Elephant Rock, Peanut Farm on small days |
| Improver | Lazy Right and Lazy Left (Midigama), Plantations, Mirissa | Peanut Farm on bigger days, Main Point on small days |
| Advanced | Ram’s (Midigama), Kabalana (Ahangama), Hiriketiya’s left point, Benny’s (Hikkaduwa) | Main Point on a good swell, Pottuvil Point, Okanda |
Weligama is one of the easiest places in Asia to learn: a wide bay with a sandy bottom and soft waves. Most spots for better surfers break over reef.
What do surf lessons and board rental cost?
Prices checked October 2026; they vary by school and season.
- Group lesson (1 to 2.5 hours, board included): about US$15–30 per person, or LKR 5,000–9,000.
- Private lesson: about US$20–55, depending on length.
- Board rental: about US$2 an hour in Weligama, or about US$5–15 a day.
- Surf guiding for intermediates, with transport and board: from about US$30 per person for a half day.
Choose a school with small groups (no more than four students per instructor) and instructors trained in water rescue. Cheap lessons from touts on the beach often leave out the board or the tuk-tuk. On request we can arrange lessons with a local surf school; you pay for them on top of the trip price.
Why a private driver makes a surf trip easier
- Your boards travel with you. Bringing your own boards? Tell us how many and how long when you ask for a quote, and we plan a vehicle they fit in, usually a van (which costs more than a car).
- You can move to the right wave. Weligama, Midigama, Ahangama and Mirissa are all within about half an hour of each other. When one bay is flat or crowded, your driver takes you to the next.
- Early starts are normal. The wind usually picks up around midday, so the best sessions are at sunrise.
- Surf and sights fit into one trip. From Ella it is about three to four hours down to Arugam Bay. In winter, Yala is about two and a half to three hours from Weligama.
A sample plan: round trip first, then a week of surf
Winter (December to March), 14 days:
- Days 1–3: Sigiriya, Dambulla and an elephant safari
- Days 4–5: Kandy
- Days 6–7: Tea country and Ella. Since Cyclone Ditwah the railway between Kandy and Nanu Oya has been closed, so you take the train from Nanu Oya to Ella; your driver meets you at the station.
- Day 8: Safari in Yala
- Days 9–13: Weligama or Ahangama, with lessons in the morning and Galle Fort or whale watching on flat days
- Day 14: To the airport, about three hours
Summer (June to September), 14 days: Kandy, Ella, five nights in Arugam Bay, then Pasikudah or Trincomalee and Sigiriya. It is based on our summer round trip, with more nights in Arugam Bay. More about the surf towns on our east coast and south coast pages.
Surf camp or round trip with a surf week?
Surf camps in Weligama, Ahangama and Arugam Bay sell weekly packages with a bed, daily lessons and a board. They suit you if you only want to surf. We don’t run a surf camp: we plan the round trip, hotels and drives, and you can end it with a week at a surf camp of your choice.
Staying safe in the water
- Reef and urchins. Wear reef booties at reef breaks such as Midigama, Mirissa and Hiriketiya’s point. At low tide the reef can be just under the surface.
- Currents. Rips run near headlands and river mouths, and most spots have no lifeguard. Ask the surf school before you paddle out.
- Sun. Surf early and late, wear a long-sleeved rash vest and bring sunscreen from home; it is hard to find in small surf villages.
- Etiquette. The surfer closest to the peak has the wave, so don’t drop in. Paddle around the line-up, not through it. At local breaks such as Ram’s and Benny’s, wait your turn.
- Dress on the east coast. Pottuvil and the villages around Arugam Bay are conservative, mostly Muslim and Tamil. Swimwear is fine on the beach, but cover shoulders and knees in town. Topless sunbathing is not allowed anywhere in Sri Lanka. Many women surf in leggings and a long-sleeved rash vest.
- Cuts and insurance. Clean reef cuts straight away; they get infected easily in the heat. Check that your travel insurance covers surfing.
What does a surf trip with us cost?
Our private round trips cost from US$100 per person per day: from US$700 for 7 days and from US$1,400 for 14 days. This includes your own car and driver and good 3-star hotels with breakfast, for two people sharing a room. Surf lessons, board rental, entrance fees, safaris, lunches and dinners are extra. Our active 12-day trip already has a surf day in Weligama built into the route.
Want to see this yourself?
Tell us your dates and what you like. Ravindu or one of our team will send you a personal route and price, usually within 24 hours.
Private round trips from US$700 per person for 7 days
FAQ
Is Sri Lanka good for beginner surfers?
Yes. Weligama from December to March and the small points around Arugam Bay from June to September have soft waves, many surf schools and warm water.
How much does a surf lesson cost in Sri Lanka?
A group lesson of 1 to 2.5 hours, board included, costs about US$15–30 per person (checked October 2026).
Can we bring our own surfboards?
Yes. Tell us how many boards you bring and how long they are, and we plan a vehicle they fit in. Check your airline’s fee for sports equipment.
Can I surf in Sri Lanka in July or August?
Yes, on the east coast. Arugam Bay has its most reliable waves from June to September, while the south-west coast has its monsoon.