The 8 Best Surf Spots in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has a charm that few places in the world can match. It is a mystical island crisscrossed with lush rainforest, crested with tea plantations, dotted with ancient forts, and filled with enchanting tales of Hindu demons and enlightened Buddha. A mix of cultures, beliefs, and natural landscapes, you won’t be surprised. Next, I will introduce the surf spots in Sri Lanka.pure quality. pure fun. Bordered by two major coastlines, the east coast (mainly Arugam Bay, discussed later) and the west coast (the most famous surfing region of the two), it is generally one of the most accessible and forgiving in Asia. One of the waves. . The two beaches operate at opposite times of the year, so there’s always something to do in each season. Also, the atmosphere here is really nice. Eat delicious dal and swim with sea turtles in the reef in the morning. good. Sri Lanka is one of my areas of expertise as a surf travel writer. It was love at first sight when I learned of this stunning Teardrop of India in 2018. Since then, I’ve been living in Hiriketiya (the coolest surfing town in Asia if you ask me) for a full month and heading south to surf, relax and have a beer at sunset. I have traveled extensively in the West Coast region. 1. Arugam Bay Arugam Bay takes us to the eastern side of Sri Lanka. Worlds apart from other places on this list. A country with long, undulating white-sand beaches facing due east toward Southeast Asia. Location is certainly important as Arugam Bay offers the best surfing conditions at the exact opposite time of year to the west coast. Swells become more regular, monsoon rains abate by mid-spring, and summer sets in with offshore winds and glassy water. If you are visiting Sri Lanka between May and September, this is the best place to surf. The point is Money Shot Wave. As the water pulsates there, it hits a salty rock promontory and begins to erupt in long, 100-meter-long lines that range from semi-hollow surfaces to barrel-shaped sections if large enough. Arugam Bay sits in the middle of about 80 miles of fragmented coastline. Some places are famous but difficult to access, such as the super fun all-level spot at Peanut Farm. Some remain complete mysteries, hidden behind coconut trees and cow-spotted fields. 2. Weligama Weligama is in the heart of the Southwest Surf Zone. With Mirissa to the southeast and Midigama to the north, there’s no shortage of breaks for those looking to hop on a tuk-tuk and explore the region. But Weligama is not for exploring surfers. 100% suitable for absolute beginners and the best place to learn to surf on the whole island. The main reason for this is the geography of the bay. At a whopping 8 miles (5 miles) in length, it winds from a coconut-covered promontory on one side to a coral reef community on the other. The opening to the sea, on the other hand, is two miles in diameter, large enough for normal waves to roll in, but then breaks and loses its strength, leaving light, foot-high waves, and plaster to caress the beach. . If there’s one downside to Weligama, it’s looks. The town is a dilapidated city of concrete hotels along a busy coastal highway. It’s noisy, so you’ll have to walk to the water’s edge to avoid traffic jams. 3. Midigama Moving north from Weligama, Midigama City takes over the baton. The quality of surfing is also multiplied, as every corner of this vast stretch of coastline is nearly perfect for point and reef breaks of all shapes and sizes. Authentic Sri Lankan food is everywhere, but if you’re short on time, consider heading straight to Coconut. A fun and powerful right arm that dodges artificial breakwaters. Sea urchins are less likely to be encountered during high tide as the reefs are deeper. Additionally, the beach itself is a sight to behold. Think palm trees crouching low in the sands of daffodils and occasional shadows. The more familiar Midigama Left and Midigama Right breaks couldn’t be more different. The latter is a fast, snappy number for a shortboard hot dog. The former is a sleepy gurgling water and for parties, he is suitable for people with a height of 8 feet or more. Midigama currently offers some of the best surfing accommodations on the island. They range from bohemian lodges with sleek concrete suites to affordable hostel stays with in-house surf instructors. 4. Mirissa Little Mirissa is truly a party town. Occupying a very beautiful beach east of Weligama, it stretches across a sandy beach clustered with bamboo-built bars and ginger-scented curry houses. As the evening approaches the happy hour begins and Mirissa becomes the hedonistic cocktail of beer drinkers and dancers. Get a taste of Sri Lanka’s Koh Phangan. For those who can avoid hangovers, there is plenty of surf here. The best spot is the right reef at the northwestern end of Mirissa Beach. It is recommended to go during high tide. At low tide, it is very shallow and you will definitely hurt your toes (yours) and your nose (the board). If it’s too crowded or too hard, you have the option of picking up a tuk-tuk and he will take you to central Weligama in 20 minutes. In fact, many do because Mirissa has a better atmosphere and nightlife than its neighbors and is much more beautiful. That is, surf on one side and stay on the other. Sorted. 5. Kabalana Like its predecessor Hiriketiya, Kabalana is the tale of the discontinuity of two. Due to its easy mode beach breaks, many of Ahangama’s local surfing schools adopt this route in their study courses. And then comes the true star of the show.that stone. The Rock is a wedge of A-frame waves that draws large amounts of energy from the Indian Ocean through channels carved into the reef below. When 5-9 feet is expected, the
10 Best Places to Visit in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka may be a small island in the Indian Ocean but that’s the only thing small about it. The country, formerly known as Ceylon, boasts an ancient civilization, golden sandy beaches with their swaying coconut palms, mountains, and tea plantations. While visiting the island, you’ll see colonial architecture from the days when the Portuguese, Dutch and English ruled. You’ll also see lots of elephants, some of which participate in local festivals and, if you’re lucky, perhaps a leopard or two at a wildlife sanctuary. Here’s a look at the best places to visit in Sri Lanka: Hikkaduwa The small, seaside city of Hikkaduwa is north of Galle, along the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. Well-trodden by tourists who are looking fora slice of sand and a chilled-out time, the town is packed full of cheap guesthouses, tourist shops, and many cafes and restaurants. It may have lost a little of its beauty since the tourists started arriving here in the 1970’s, but if you want to spend a few days near the sea, this might be the spot for you. Ella Located in a beautiful setting with forest-covered hills, sweeping valleys, and picturesque tea plantations, Ella is a lovely place to spend time. The journey by rail to Ella from Kandy is an iconic one and will take you chugging along in a colorful carriage up through the lush, verdant hills. Ella itself may be small, but if you enjoy hiking or just relaxing in the peace and quiet of nature, it’s definitely well worth your time. Make sure to hike to some of the nearby waterfall sand temples, as well as to the top of Rock for incredible views. Anuradhapura Anuradhapura is an ancient sacred city that was established around a cutting from Buddha’s fig tree. Dating back to the third century BC, Anuradhapura was established by the founder of an order of Buddhist nuns. This magnificent city of palaces, temples and monuments flourished for 1,300 years but was abandoned after it was invaded in the late 10th century. Much like Peru’s Machu Picchu, locals were aware of it but not many others until it was “discovered” by Europeans many centuries later. These fantastic ruins have since been excavated and are accessible for the public to enjoy. Colombo Colombo has been the commercial capital of Sri Lanka for more than 2,000 years when its large natural harbor made it popular with ancient trades from Italy to China. It’s often referred to as the country’s capital, though the legislative capital is located in a nearby city. Ruled over by first Portuguese and then British colonists, Colombo is a popular tourist destination. The city seamlessly mixes modern malls and sky scrapers with beautiful colonial buildings. A range of architectural styles can be found in the city, with the Murugan Hindu temple being one of the best. Yala National Park Yala National Park is a wildlife sanctuary about 150 miles from Colombo. It has the highest density of leopards in the world, so chances of seeing them are very high. Although leopards are the main attraction here, they are followed closely by elephants, sloth bears and crocodiles. The park is divided into five blocks; some of which were zoned to hunters until Yala became a national park in 1938. Ensure you make time to visit the very informative visitor center at the entrance of the park for insightful displays about the area. Mirissa If you’re looking to holiday in a tropical paradise, Mirissa just might be the answer to your dreams: swaying coconut palms, beautiful golden sand beaches, days spent rocking away in a hammock. It doesn’t get much better than this. This crescent-shaped piece of paradise is famous for having the most stunning sunsets and sunrises in Sri Lanka. There are no luxury resorts to mar the landscape,so it’s just you and the beach during the day. The pace picks up at night. Mirissa is the largest fishing port on the south coast and is a good place to go dolphin and whale watching. Polonnaruwa The second oldest kingdom in Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa is known for the ruins of this ancient garden city. The 12th century ruins are some of the best preserved in the country. Polonnaruwa was a place where traders of exotic goods mingled with worshipers in the many temples. Start your tour at the Archaeological Museum, then proceed to the massive Royal Palace with its well-preserved audience hall. The stunningly decorated Sacred Quadrangle is another must-see here. Kandy Kandy, the second largest city in Sri Lanka, is the gateway to the Central Highlands and its tropical plantations that grow both tea and rubber. If you’re driving from Colombo, you’ll pass by rubber plantations on a road that is considered one of the country’s most scenic. The last capital of the ancient kingdoms, Kandy is home to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, one of the most sacred Buddhist temples in the world. A major, colorful festival involves taking the tooth relic around the city. Movie buffs may be interested to know Kandy was a chief location in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Galle Galle’s most famous attraction is its 17th century fort built by Dutch colonists. Sitting on a promontory overlooking the Indian ocean, the fort is known for its architectural style. Galle is considered a prime example of a fortified city. The fortress is not just another pretty place,however; today it houses courts and businesses. Galle is becoming known as an arts colony and its expat community. Other top sights include a natural harbor, Sri Lanka’s oldest lighthouse, a maritime museum, a key Shiva temple and the Jesuit built St. Mary’s Cathedral. Sigiriya Wanna be archaeologists need to put Sigiriya on their list of must-see places in Sri Lanka. This ancient city is built on a steep slope, topped by a plateau almost 600 feet high. This plateau is known as Lion’s Rock as it oversees the jungles below. The ancient rock fortress dates back to the third century BC when it was a monastery. It was later turned into a royal residence. Access to the site is through staircases and rooms emanating from the lion’s mouth. You’ll also see ponds, gardens and fountains. Locals consider the site the eighth wonder of the world.