Best Time to Surf Sri Lanka
The best time to surf Sri Lanka is November to April: that is when the most breaks are at their best — 5 of the 7 Sri Lanka breaks we map at the peak.
Last updated · Counted from the surf breaks we map — each break's own season, level and wave type
Surf in Sri Lanka month by month
How many of the 7 breaks we map in Sri Lanka are at their best in each month, and which ones. The busiest months are highlighted.
January
5 at their best · 5 in season
Midigama Left / Lazy Left, Weligama Bay, Hikkaduwa, Mirissa, Midigama
February
5 at their best · 5 in season
Midigama Left / Lazy Left, Weligama Bay, Hikkaduwa, Mirissa, Midigama
March
5 at their best · 5 in season
Midigama Left / Lazy Left, Weligama Bay, Hikkaduwa, Mirissa, Midigama
April
5 at their best · 5 in season
Midigama Left / Lazy Left, Weligama Bay, Hikkaduwa, Mirissa, Midigama
May
2 at their best · 2 in season
June
2 at their best · 2 in season
July
2 at their best · 2 in season
August
2 at their best · 2 in season
September
2 at their best · 2 in season
October
0 at their best · 0 in season
November
5 at their best · 5 in season
Midigama Left / Lazy Left, Weligama Bay, Hikkaduwa, Mirissa, Midigama
December
5 at their best · 5 in season
Midigama Left / Lazy Left, Weligama Bay, Hikkaduwa, Mirissa, Midigama
Lefts, rights and peaks in Sri Lanka
Every break we map here, by what the wave breaks over and which way it peels — a left peels to the surfer's left as they ride towards the beach.
| Break type | Lefts | Rights | Both ways / A-frames |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point | — | Arugam Bay, Pottuvil Point | — |
| Reef | Midigama Left / Lazy Left | Mirissa | Hikkaduwa, Midigama |
| Beach | — | — | Weligama Bay |
Season at every Sri Lanka break
Each break's stated season, with its best months filled in.
- Midigama Left / Lazy Left
Midigama
- Wave
- Reef break · Left
- Level
- Intermediate - Advanced
- Season
- November–April
- Swell
- S–SW
- Tide
- Mid to High Tide
- Watch out
- Shallow reef, rocks and sea urchins. Lower tides expose the reef and raise the stakes on a wipeout; mid to high tide gives more water. Busy in peak season.
- Arugam Bay
- Wave
- Point break · Right-hand
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- May to September (east-coast season)
- Tide
- All tides; best on a pushing tide
- Watch out
- Rocks and strong currents run around the point, so plan your entry and exit carefully.
- Hikkaduwa
- Wave
- Reef break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- November to April (south-coast season)
- Tide
- Best on a mid-to-high tide
- Watch out
- Breaks over shallow coral or rock reef — booties are recommended and mind the take-off zone.
- Midigama
- Wave
- Reef break · Left and right
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- November to April
- Tide
- Best on a mid-to-high tide
- Watch out
- Shallow reef; booties are recommended, especially at lower tides. Busy in peak season.
- Mirissa
- Wave
- Reef break · Right-hand
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- November to April
- Tide
- Best on a mid-to-high tide
- Watch out
- Breaks over shallow coral or rock reef — booties are recommended and mind the take-off zone.
- Pottuvil Point
- Wave
- Point break · Right-hand
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- May to September
- Tide
- All tides; best on a pushing tide
- Watch out
- Rocks and strong currents run around the point, so plan your entry and exit carefully.
- Weligama Bay
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Beginner
- Season
- November to April (south-coast season)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars — always check conditions before paddling out.
Surf spots in Sri Lanka by level
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to surf Sri Lanka?
The best time to surf Sri Lanka is November to April: that is when the most breaks are at their best — 5 of the 7 Sri Lanka breaks we map at the peak.
Can you surf Sri Lanka all year round?
Not every month. None of the 7 breaks we map in Sri Lanka lists October in its season.
Which surf breaks in Sri Lanka are lefts and which are rights?
Lefts: Midigama Left / Lazy Left. Rights: Arugam Bay, Mirissa and Pottuvil Point. The table below splits every break we map in Sri Lanka by type and direction.