Surfing in Sri Lanka: The Ultimate East Coast Surf Trip
When you look up great surf spots, surfing in Sri Lanka pops up again and again—and rightly so. With warm waters, consistent waves, and stunning tropical beaches, the island is quickly becoming a surfer’s favorite. Whether you’re a beginner catching your first ride or an intermediate chasing that perfect break, this Sri Lanka surf guide will point you to the best spots, rentals, and tips for your trip. The only catch? Waves shift with the seasons, so knowing when to surf where makes all the difference. This guide focuses on the East Coast, where I surfed during the summer season. So let’s dive in.
Surfing in Sri Lanka: When and Where to Catch the Best Waves
One of the coolest things about surfing in Sri Lanka is that it’s a year-round destination. You just need to know where to go when. Thanks to the country’s two monsoon systems, the surf action shifts between the East Coast and the Southwest Coast, meaning there’s always a wave somewhere.
Surfing in Sri Lanka’s East Coast Season (April – October)
During the northern hemisphere summer, aka my prime time as a teacher, the focus lies on Sri Lanka’s East Coast, with the laid-back surf town of Arugam Bay at the center of it all. This area lights up with consistent swells, warm water, and a surprisingly diverse variety of breaks.
Arugam Bay itself is famous for its long, right-hand point break — ideal for cruisy rides or challenging sections depending on the day. Right nearby, you’ll find Baby Point, Peanut Farm, Elephant Rock, Pottuvil Point, and Lighthouse. Each point offers its own vibe, ranging from mellow beginner-friendly waves to steeper take-offs and occasional barrels. Even further afield are Okanda and Panama Point, more remote spots that offer wild scenery and fewer crowds.
Surfing in Sri Lanka’s South & Southwest Coast (Nov – Apr)
As the monsoon moves east, the southern coastline takes center stage — think Weligama, Midigama, Ahangama, and Hikkaduwa. This side of the island is more developed, but still full of charm and character.
From slow-rolling beach breaks perfect for your first pop-up to punchy reef waves that challenge your skills, there’s something for every surfer here. Early mornings often bring glassy conditions and offshore winds, while afternoons are ideal for chilling in a beach café or stretching it out in a post-surf yoga class.
Surf Spots on the East Coast (Arugam Bay & Beyond)
Arugam Bay Main Point
One of the icons of surfing in Sri Lanka is Arugam Bay Main Point. A long, peeling right-hand point break that can offer rides over 100 meters. It breaks over sand and reef, and while it can get crowded, it’s popular for good reason. Ideal for early mornings when the wind is calm and the swell is clean. There is a hotel/restaurant directly at the beach so after your session, you’re never far from a coconut or smoothie bowl.
Level: Intermediate – Advanced
Baby Point
Technically part of Arugam Bay’s main break, Baby Point is where the wave reforms inside the bay and slows down. It’s ideal for beginners or anyone after a super mellow cruise. Think soft, slow, and friendly—a perfect warm-up wave. Just be prepared, it can get pretty crowded.
There’s also what feels like a “third point” between Main Point and Baby Point. While officially part of Baby Point, many surf schools take their more advanced beginners there to work on technique without the heavy crowds of Main Point.
Level: Beginner
Peanut Farm
A favorite day trip from Arugam Bay, this beach has two breaks. To the left of the rock is the beginner break with a smaller and mellow wave. Walking to the right of the rock, you can find a bigger wave with more punch. The beach is beautiful and slightly wild. One of the biggest perks of Peanut Farm is that it tends to be a lot less crowded than Main Point. However, in the last few years, the lineup has gotten busier, too.
Most tuk-tuk drivers in Arugam Bay will take you there for around Rs 2,000 – Rs 3,000 round trip.
Level: Beginner – Intermediate – Advanced (depending on which section and conditions)
Elephant Rock
Elephant Rock is one of the most scenic surfing options in the East. It is surrounded by beautiful landscape and offers the perfect opportunity for beginners to practice catching small green waves (and riding them for about 50m) and starting to learn turns. While it tends to be less crowded than Baby Point in general, many surf schools use this break so be prepared for instructors. The wave can also be suited for intermediate surfers, if conditions are right, but in general I would advise intermediates to head to another spot like Pottuvil or Main Point.
Taking a tuk-tuk to Elephant Rock and back should not cost more than Rs 2,000.
Pro tip: climb Elephant Rock for the view, maybe even at sunset.
Level: Beginner – Lower Intermediate
Lighthouse (Komari)
A more remote, quieter surf zone north of Arugam. There are several right-hand points here, usually uncrowded. Perfect if you want to surf without the scene, though it takes some effort to get there (about 40 minutes by tuk-tuk). I did not go to lighthouse, but I expect tuk-tuks to cost a bit more than Rs 5,000 for the round trip.
Level: Intermediate – Advanced
Pottuvil Point
Just north of Arugam, this point break offers short, punchy rides with a mellow entry. It shines on a solid swell and is less crowded than Main Point. Great for a half-day trip. Bonus points if you combine it with a beach walk or some wildlife watching. A tuk-tuk transfer to and from Pottuvil Point costs around Rs 2,000 – Rs 3,000.
Level: Intermediate
Okanda
This one’s a bit of a mission, about an hour south of Arugam Bay. Okanda is a powerful, more advanced right-hand break with raw energy and minimal crowds due to the distance to Arugam Bay. Bring snacks, water, and maybe a local guide. Be aware that Okanda is definitely reserved for advanced surfers. If you want to visit Okanda, I’d recommend renting your own tuk-tuk.
Level: Advanced
Panama Point
Off the beaten path and rarely crowded, Panama is great if you’re chasing something quiet and cruisy. It doesn’t work every day, but when it does, it’s a fun ride with fewer people and a nice remote vibe. Make sure to bring everything you might need since the infrastructure is minimal. Expect to pay around Rs 5000 for the transfer there and back.
Level: Beginner – Intermediate
Whiskey Point
This right-hander used to be known for being one of the more consistent east coast breaks. Unfortunately it has not been working properly since 2019, which leads to some disappointment as research on the internet still makes it stand out as one of the best surf spots. Hopefully the point decides to start working again at some point.
Level: Beginner – Intermediate
Where to Rent Gear or Take Lessons
The good news: Sri Lanka makes it ridiculously easy to get your hands on a surfboard or paddle into a lesson. The surf culture here is relaxed, welcoming, and very budget-friendly. Unless you are very picky about your board, there’s no need to lug your own board through airports. If you’re picky about boards or need extras like surf wax, bring your own. I’ve put together a full Sri Lanka surf & fitness packing list if you want the details of what I brought.
East Coast (Arugam Bay & Around)
As the surf capital of the East Coast, Arugam Bay is packed with surf shops, rental shacks, and local instructors. You’ll find the highest concentration on the beach right near Main Point and Baby Point, as well as the main road. It’s hard to miss, just follow the rows of boards leaning against coconut trees.
Board Rentals
Most places at the beach offer soft tops, hardtops, or shortboards for Rs 1000 (2,80€ / $3,30) per hour. You can also rent a board for a day for around 6€/$7 or grab it for an entire week for about 30-39€ / $35-$45. My recommendations would be Amigo Surf School and No Worries Surf Shop. Rental boards are generally well used, but definitely good enough.
Lessons
A 1:1 beginner lesson with a local instructor will cost you around 15€–36€ /$18-$45. Lessons generally include rental. Rash guards are usually also included, but definitely check beforehand. I also recommend wearing long surf leggings — trust me, a sunburn on the back of your legs is not fun.
| Lesson | Price for one | Price for Two |
| 1h beginner at Baby Point | 15€ / $18 | 14€ / $16.50 |
| 1,5h advanced beginner at Baby Point | 25€ / $30 | 24€ / $28 |
| 2h beginner or intermediate with transfer to a closer point | 30€-35€ / $35-$41 | 28€-33€ / $33-$38 |
| 2h beginner or intermediate with transfer to Panama Point | 38€ / $45 | 31€ / $36 |
If you’re searching for a good and reliable surf school, I highly recommend Amigo Surf School. I’ll explain why in the next section.
Tip: You can also ask your tuk-tuk driver if they teach surfing — many of them do, and it’s a great way to connect locally (just make sure they bring soft tops and rash guards if you’re a beginner).
Surfing in Sri Lanka: My Personal Experience on the East Coast
A Frustrating Start
I’ve been surfing for over 3 years now. On my first day at Arugam Bay, I asked around for the advanced beginner wave; something smooth and easy to kick off my surf season. Unfortunately, every surf school insisted I start at Baby Point before moving on. Baby Point was frustrating and literally painful. The water was packed with people, surf instructors were fighting for tiny slots, and beginners were being pushed into waves without control. Beginners crashed into me several times, and one board even smacked me in the face, leaving a bruise. Not exactly the start I had in mind.
The next day, I thought things were going to be better as I could book a session at the advanced spot. But boy was I wrong… The instructor placed himself only a couple of meters further out than the real beginners. This meant that the take off was a bit more relaxed, yet you still had to surf into the crowd instead of avoiding it. I kept telling him that I wanted to go further out, and three times he sent me out, but when I reached the point, he called me back again. It was beyond frustrating.
The turning Point
In the afternoon of the same day, I hid at Mellow Café from the rain and started chatting with the owner, a very nice Turkish man who opened two cafés in Sri Lanka. He gave me the number of a guy called Johnson who owns Amigo Surf School. I immediately arranged a surf session at Panama Point, and that’s when my surf adventure in Sri Lanka actually started
Johnson immediately gave me an intermediate lesson after listening to my previous experience. In the morning, we got picked up by one of the school’s tuk-tuk drivers. This driver quickly became our personal Arugam Bay driver since he was so great. After a brief stop at the school to pick up our boards and our instructor, Atha, we headed to Panama Point. Atha explained to us that they generally only hit up Panama Point since all the other spots are so crowded. It definitely paid off; there were only a few other surfers, and the waves were perfect for us.
After the first session, Atha immediately switched me over to a hardboard and asked why no one has ever done that before. It was the first time that I felt like the instructor really listened to me and helped me progress. He also explained a lot of technique and etiquette to me. By the end of my lessons with him I could finally reliably read the waves and ride turns until the very end. Atha and Amigo Surf School were, hands down, the best surf experience I’ve had so far.
And if you’re curious what the other four highlights of my trip were, check out my post on my top 5 Sri Lanka travel moments.
Surfing in Sri Lanka: East Coast Now, South Coast Later
So long story short: If you’re heading to Arugam Bay, skip Baby Point and head to Panama with a trusted school. The beauty of surfing in Sri Lanka is that there’s something for everyone, but knowing where to go makes all the difference. For a full 2-week Sri Lanka itinerary that mixes surfing with hiking and culture, check out my travel guide. And of course, good surf needs good fuel. Between smoothie bowls, rice & curry, and the best kottu I’ve ever eaten, the food in Sri Lanka deserves its own spotlight. If you want to know where to find the tastiest (and healthiest) eats, check out my Sri Lanka fitness-food guide.
This guide covers the East Coast, since I surfed here during the summer season. The South and Southwest Coast have a whole different vibe and work in the winter months. I’m planning to explore them in the future. Until then, if you’ve already surfed the South/West, I’d love to hear your tips!
