SURFING IN SRI LANKA - ARUGAMBAY AND HIKKADUWA

Arugam Bay situated in the district of Ampara, approximately 314 km from Colombo, Arugam bay is on the list of the top ten surf points in the world. this typical fishing village to the south of the small town of Potuvil. The unspoilt town of Arugam Bay offers an abundance of opportunities for those with a passion for water sports and underwater photography.

Sri Lanka Windsurfing is a popular water sport among the foreign tourists who visit the palm fringed pristine beaches of Sri Lanka. The most popular surfing beaches of the island are Hikkaduwa of South Western coastal belt and Arugam bay (International surfing competition venue) of Eastern coastal belt of Sri Lanka. Since the early 60’s Sri Lanka attracts surfers from all over the world. The Windsurfing opportunities offered in Sri Lanka attracts the amateur windsurfers as well as the world class Windsurfers participating in international Windsurfing competitions.

The resplendent waters surrounding the moon-shaped curl of soft golden sand in the eastern shores of Sri Lanka are known to be one of the best ‘point brakes’ in the world. Experience and ride through the majestic waves of the ocean as they break in an exhilarating rush. Surfing is best in Arugam bay during the season of April to October each year. During this time is conducted the UK Pro-Surfers Association’s Sri Lanka Surf Championships, an event open to all and where the entire place becomes a hub of activity as the best Surfers across the seas comes together to participate in the thrilling event in one of the finest Surfing hotspots in the world.

The best time of the year is between May and November when the predominant wind is offshore for at least the first half of the day. Due to its location and southerly swell direction the area is dominated by right hand point breaks. There is a beach break in front of the Stardust Hotel, which can be fun for body surfing or for beginners but that’s about it. Three of the point breaks “The Point”, “Potuvil Point” and “Crocodile Rock” are within an hour tuk tuk ride from the Hotel, with “The Point being visible (15 min walk) from the hotel. There are several other points that are within a 1-hour’s ride or can be accessed by boat.

THE POINT: This is the main break at Arugam bay. The point is a long right-hand point/reef break that breaks at the headland in front of Arugam bay. It is also the best swell magnet of all the points and you can almost always guarantee that, The Point will be a couple of feet bigger than any of the other breaks. It breaks from anything between 2 and 6 feet but tends to max out after 6 feet. Due to its location, it is also attracting the biggest crowd but seems to be handle it as it often sections in a few spots. On a good day it provides a clean ridable wall that will barrel in the sections and give you a 400-meter ride right through to the inside. When you ride all the way through the best option is to paddle a few yards to the beach and walk back out to the entry point (booties are advisable as the reef starts from ankle depth).

POTTUVIL POINT: Potuvil Point is all surfers dream tropical wave. A long deserted sandy beach dotted with some huge boulders at the water’s edge, make this wave a favourite with some of the season veterans. Less crowded because of the hour tuk tuk ride north from Arugam bay, Potuvil point provides 800-meter rides from the outside section right through to the beach on the inside. The unique thing about this wave is that for most of it you can be working a four-foot face and be only a few meters from the beach as the wave grinds down the sandy point. The outside section sucks up and throw’s out as the swell raps into the point giving a 30-meter wall to work with before it fades as it hits deeper water for about 10 seconds. The wave then tends to double up as it hits a shallow sand bottom section that will have you hanging in there for all you worth just to try and make the next 40-to-80-meter section. Failure can leave you standing in knee deep water with a mouth full of sand if you manage not to get slammed into one of the boulder’s first. If conditions are right and you can make it through this section then the wave peels perfectly meters from the beach for an eternity until it closes out in the bay and you begin the long walk back. Potuvil Point needs a decent size swell before it starts working at all and a large swell before the middle section.

HIKKADUWA

The Hikkaduwa beach which is protected by a reef is famous for windsurfing, beautiful sea corals, diving, fishing & also its golden sandy beaches. Hikkaduwa beach offers 4 surf points with clear warm waters to the windsurfing enthusiasts. All four surf points have a deep bottom and flat reef. During the season the wave sizes range from 2 to 7 feet.

NORTH JETTY - HIKKADUWA

Coral bottom. This is a wave that requires a great swell that breaks. When this wave behaves in its regular pattern it can be a wonderful windsurfing ride: it’s a long wave with very hollow sections.

BENNY'S JETTY - HIKKADUWA

Coral bottom. A fast left wave and quite dangerous that breaks over a very sharp reef and with shallow water. Only surf here if you really know what you are doing and at your own risk.

MAIN REEF JETTY - HIKKADUWA

Coral bottom. The spot offers right and left waves to have fun and relaxed surfing.

INSIDE REEF - HIKKADUWA

(a) Coral bottom with beach break. Breaking fast hollow waves from left and right can be quite intense at times.

(b) Sand bottom. Towards the south of the Inside Reef there are a number of thin sand bottoms over which several types of waves break. This area is recommended for the inexperienced surfer.

HIKKADUWA LAGOON

Hikkaduwa lagoon affords the amateur windsurfers to learn the art of windsurfing prior to launching themselves into the ocean.

BENTOTA

Bentota of the South-western coast is a wind surfer’s paradise: the waves, the surf, blue waters and the palm fringed sandy beaches all bring about an exhilarating beach experience. The Bentota lagoon and the river afford ample chances for the amateur windsurfers to learn the ropes of the sport so that they could venture into the ocean for some serious windsurfing activity.

CYRIL TOURS arrange transport for these destinations from the airport or from anywhere in the island for reasonable rates. We provide super luxury vans with English speaking chauffeur guides only. Other language guides can provide with extra cost.

For all requirements do not hesitate to contact Cyril

If you think this itinerary will suit to you or want to change or add something else or skip anything, as well as for cost of above tour please contact me by filling contact us form or fill below table contents and send to me by given email address.

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