Sri Lanka is a beautiful country. With friendly people and impressive landscapes, you’ll find yourself in good company with stunning scenery wherever you go. Surf safaris in tuk-tuks, delicious curries, and fun waves for every ability of surfer — this is surfing Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka has two very different surf hubs operating on opposing surf season schedules, so you can score fun waves in Sri Lanka any time of the year. In this guide on surfing Sri Lanka, we’ll fill you in on the basics, when to go where, surf trip costs, transportation, where to stay, the food situation, and other essential info to help you plan your next surf trip to Sri Lanka.
The Indian sage Patanjali is believed to have collated the practice of yoga into the Yoga Sutra an estimated 2,000 years ago. It outlines eight limbs of yoga: the yamas (restraints), niyamas (observances), asana (postures), pranayama (breathing), pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), dharana (concentration), dhyani (meditation), and samadhi (absorption). As we explore these eight limbs, we begin by refining our behavior in the outer world, and then we focus inwardly until we reach samadhi (liberation, enlightenment).
Today, most people practicing yoga are engaged in the third limb, asana, which is a program of physical postures designed to purify the body and provide the physical strength and stamina required for long periods of meditation.
Hatha yoga is a powerful tool for self-transformation. It asks us to bring our attention to our breath, which helps us to still the fluctuations of the mind and be more present in the unfolding of each moment.
Somehow the ancient yogis knew what scientists today are telling us—that the entire universe is moving. Nothing is ever solid or still. Everything that exists pulsates, creating a rhythmic vibration that the ancient yogis acknowledged with the sound of Om. We may not always be aware of this sound in our daily lives, but we can hear it in the rustling of the autumn leaves, the waves on the shore, the inside of a seashell.
As we chant Om, it takes us for a ride on this universal movement, through our breath, our awareness, and our physical energy, and we begin to sense a bigger connection that is both uplifting and soothing.
Starting with two or three times a week, for an hour or an hour and a half each time. Don't let time constraints or unrealistic goals be an obstacle, do what you can and don't worry about it. You will likely find that after a while your desire to practice expands naturally and you will find yourself doing more and more.
We become more aware of our experiences from moment to moment. The awareness that we cultivate is what makes yoga a practice, rather than a task or a goal to be completed. Your body will most likely become much more flexible by doing yoga, and so will your mind.
We become more aware of our experiences from moment to moment. The awareness that we cultivate is what makes yoga a practice, rather than a task or a goal to be completed. Your body will most likely become much more flexible by doing yoga, and so will your mind.
This newfound agility will be balanced by strength, coordination, and enhanced cardiovascular health, as well as a sense of physical confidence and overall well-being.
Sri Lanka is a beautiful country. With friendly people and impressive landscapes, you’ll find yourself in good company with stunning scenery wherever you go. Surf safaris in tuk-tuks, delicious curries, and fun waves for every ability of surfer — this is surfing Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka has two very different surf hubs operating on opposing surf season schedules, so you can score fun waves in Sri Lanka any time of the year. In this guide on surfing Sri Lanka, we’ll fill you in on the basics, when to go where, surf trip costs, transportation, where to stay, the food situation, and other essential info to help you plan your next surf trip to Sri Lanka.
For both the eastern and the southwest provinces, if you’re chasing the best surf your timing will coincide with the hotter and drier season.
This means temperatures will likely be in the 86-104 degrees Fahrenheit range or 30-40 degrees Celsius. And it can often feel hotter than what your average weather app is telling you, so you might want to stick with surfing in the mornings and evenings as often as possible to avoid the brutal sun and heat.
Usually, there would be no need to tip a tuk-tuk driver, but you can always tip for exceptional service.
Although the monsoon season definitely brings more rain and storms, keep in mind that the weather forecasts are not very accurate for the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. The forecasts may likely show thunderstorms all day every day, but the reality could be a quick rain in the early morning or afternoon.
We found the southwest coast to be a welcome relief when we visited in the off-season. It was 10 degrees cooler than up in Arugam Bay and much quieter, which was a nice change of pace.
For the most part, many of the breaks are fairly user-friendly, making Sri Lanka an excellent option for the beginner to intermediate surfer. If you’re an advanced surfer seeking a bit more juice or some hollow barrels, you can find that too. However, don’t go expecting Indonesia type consistency, quality, and power.
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Once again, Sri Lanka is a great place to learn to surf or to hone your skills and advance into some more serious waves. With a variety of user-friendly waves and some really great surf instructors to help you progress, surfing in Sri Lanka caters to all levels of experience.
SEASON AND SWELL INFO: There are two main surf hubs in Sri Lanka– on the Southwest Coast around Ahangama and Weligama, and in the Eastern Province around Arugam Bay.
If you’re an advanced surfer you might even find yourself scoring Rams Right barrel with only a handful of others out since there are a lot of beginner and intermediate surfers around who won’t be too keen on surfing a fast hollow shallow reef break.
During the peak season, Arugam Bay is graced with many offshore mornings and there are several nearby breaks which have headlands that provide some wind protection and keep things fairly clean and ridable throughout the day.
During the offseason in the Eastern Province (October – April), it’s likely to be flat and not worth a visit if you’re looking for waves.
CROWDS: At the best breaks on both coasts you can certainly count on finding hefty crowds much of the time.
Don’t be surprised if you think you’re the first one to paddle out while it’s still dark only to find a healthy lineup of others with the same idea. That being said, it’s definitely worth a shot and you just might avoid the worst of it.
A hint for surfing the Eastern Province. The further away you get from Arugam Bay, the fewer surfers you’re likely to encounter. There are still places you can surf all alone at least for a period of time before a few others show up.
In both regions, there are still waves out of sight and farther than most people are willing to go searching for waves. So if you’re feeling adventurous, you’ll likely be rewarded if you go searching off-the-beaten-path.
Most hotels and resorts will be more than happy to help you sort it out. Or you can always chat and negotiate prices with local drivers yourself.
If you don’t use tuk-tuks to get around, try to stick with someone who is experienced with driving in Sri Lanka as you will quickly learn that the roads are chaotic, to say the least. Think Mad Max without the explosives. Okay maybe not that bad, but let’s just say everyone from tuk-tuk drivers to bus drivers pull seriously erratic and risky maneuvers… especially those crazy bus drivers.
Grand total: around $200 USD per day and up.
Sri Lankan curries are delicious! And roti are tasty easy snacks you can find at street vendors all over the country.