Hikkaduwa is perhaps the most well-known of Sri Lanka’s southern western coast beach towns. Since the first tourists arrived on the island in the 1960s and 1970s, it has attracted sunbathers and snorkelers. Hikkaduwa surf draws thousands of visitors throughout the Sri Lanka surf season, which runs from November to March, featuring a variety of beach breaks and reefs for all skill levels.
Things Included in This Surfing in Hikkaduwa Guide
- Hikkaduwa surf intro
- Where is Hikkaduwa?
- A guide to Hikkaduwa surf spots
- When to surf in Hikkaduwa
- Surf shops in Hikkaduwa
- How to get to Hikkaduwa
An introduction to Hikkaduwa surf
They discovered a combination of beach and reef breakers that were both fairly consistent and very exciting. There’s a little sand-bottomed wave perfect for novices. There are A-frame portions and harbourside waves for more experienced surfers as well. You’ll always be able to discover something that’s challenging enough for you. A gentle whitewash to hone your pop skills? It’s all in your hands now. Better left-handers for launching from piers? That may be found here as well.
Beginner surf schools tend to choose Hikkaduwa’s southernmost tip. Narigama Beach is the local name for this stretch of sand. If you’re looking for more difficult seas, go north to the jetty and point. It’s easy to go from one of them to the next since they’re all so close together. Surfing in Hikkaduwa is more fun as Hikkaduwa has an abundance of lodging options as well.
Where’s Hikkaduwa?
Located between Galle and Colombo, Hikkaduwa is a popular surf destination. As the Sri Lankan coastline bends north, it faces the Indian Ocean. It’s tucked between two lagoons on the coast and has almost a mile of coastline on the other side. The major A2 highway passes directly through the center of town, allowing access to the city.
This may increase traffic, but it also guarantees that the whole resort will be accessible. It will take you 35 minutes to go to Kandy from Galle. It takes around two hours to get there from Colombo.
All the top Hikkaduwa surf spots
Hikkaduwa’s about 1,000 meters of coastline has a great mix of various breakers. Going north, on the other hand, often makes things more difficult. Meanwhile, the dunes of Narigama’s southernmost region are home to excellent beginning waves. Keep an eye out for southwest waves and easterly offshores if you’re in this area.
Owakanda
Even though it is south of Hikkaduwa, the point at Owakanda is a wonderful place to get away from the crowds (if you have a board strapped to the top, of course). In this area, the population is dwindling, and there are just a few lonesome guest houses that overlook the water. With a beginner-friendly beach and reef break, this might be the next big thing for Lanka. Check it out when the Jetty and Benny’s are jam-packed with people on a nice swell day. There’s not a lot of regional pride. There aren’t many people around.
Main Reef
The Main Reef at Hikkaduwa is a fantastic, exposed location with A-frames running right and left, but it’s been hammered by the weather. While professionals tend to avoid it, we see no reason why intermediate surfers wanting to advance to the reefs shouldn’t go. Fortunately, there are always positive energies in the rocks below.
North Jetty for Hikkaduwa Surf
The North Jetty in Hikka’s port region is a must-see. With a good long left that punches straight over the shallow reef, it stands up well against overheads. You won’t be the only surfer at this spot since it’s always busy. It’s a nice little trip across the vast coastline on windy days when the waves are sloppy. It’s most likely a selection around the middle of the range.
Benny’s
Benny’s is a favorite among more experienced surfers in Hikkaduwa. After the guesthouse just next door, like with many breaks in Sri Lanka. The coral bottom should be quite deep if using a left-hand peeler. The traditional point break is capable of withstanding waves up to 1.5 meters high. Consistency is key here. If you are an experienced surfer looking for a memorable surfing experience in Hikkaduwa, consider this spot.
Narigama Beach
When it comes to catching your first wave, make your way to Narigama, also known as Sunbeach (after one of the area hotels). It’s a laid-back seaside getaway with plenty of local amenities, including affordable rentals and top-notch educational institutions. When the going gets tough, expect crowds and an out-of-this-world kookfest. However, this isn’t Weligama.
A guide to the Hikkaduwa surfing season
Anyone planning to go surfing in Sri Lanka should know that the country has two distinct seasons. Different parts of the island provide them with the finest waves. In the monsoon, the waters will be too rough to sail from Hikkaduwa. Therefore it’s critical.
November-April
S-SW waves and easterly offshore breezes favor Hikkaduwa surf areas during the peak season. Because of this, the beaches and jetty breaks become glistening and beautiful. So, the weather is also at its finest in Sri Lanka. During the winter months of December, January, and February, it’s common to have sunny days with a clear sky. We believe visitors on a tight budget would be best served by visiting in March or November when accommodation and surf class prices are often lower.
May-October
At this time of year, it’s probably not worth your effort to bring the board to this part of Sri Lanka. Hikkaduwa’s summer surf season is all but over. When the southwest monsoon arrives, the Indian Ocean is whirled about like a mango smoothie. The waves are erratic, the tides fluctuate dramatically, and onshore winds are not uncommon. Instead of going to Arugam Bay on the west coast, you should go to the east shore.
Surf shops in Hikkaduwa
Hikkaduwa, one of Sri Lanka’s most popular surf locations, is home to many surf businesses. The majority of them are also conveniently located near the beach. Good.
Dylan’s Surf Company
Towel, fins, wax, and boardies are all available at Dylan’s. Because it’s an authorized retailer of well-known brands like Billabong, Roxy, and Quiksilver, you may be confident in the product’s quality. Surf lessons and board rentals may also be arranged by dropping by. On the major Galle Road, which makes it easy to get to and from.
Salty Swamis
Salty Swamis, a café and surf store rolled into one, is a must-visit in Hikkaduwa if you’re in the market for new gear. A breath of fresh air for an island that lacks authentic, high-quality surf shops, the shopping area here is a welcome addition (surprisingly). These boards are made specifically for the waves in Sri Lanka and include anything from epoxy boards to shorties to performance boards to longboards. The environmental shirts, caps, and other accessories are also worth checking out.
How to get to Hikkaduwa for Surfing
You may travel to Hikkaduwa by using the main railway route from Colombo. Regular trains go through the city every 15 minutes and take approximately an hour and a half to complete the trip. For 260 LKR, you’ll have a great ride, and it sure beats taking the bus. However, making a reservation in advance is usually a good idea. There will be a lot of people on the trains.
All-day long, buses go between Colombo and Galle. It’s just a 20-minute drive to the south to get to the next town. Another option is to take a normal bus from Colombo, which takes between four and five hours.
If you’re bringing your surfboard directly from the airport, private transport is the easiest way to get there. If you’re in the area, expect to pay at least 8,000 LKR ($41) per vehicle, not per passenger.
Hikkaduwa’s transportation system: how do I get around?
Fortunately, once you’re in town, you can stroll around much of Hikkaduwa. It takes approximately 20 minutes to walk from the top of Narigama Beach to the Jetty Breaks. To go between the two, you don’t have to cross the busy Galle Road. The journey may be made on the beach, which offers spectacular vistas and lots of opportunities for drink pit stops along the way.
Tuk-tuk drivers are readily available if you wish to go out into the surrounding area. Most importantly, for a few hundred rupees, they can transport you south to the uncrowded beach breaks of Owakanda.
And that’s the end of the ultimate guide to Hikkaduwa surf. Plan Your Surf Tour with us
Images by Google – Credit to original owners