Surfing Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is the Indian Ocean's most accessible surf destination after the Maldives, but at a fraction of the cost. The teardrop-shaped island catches swell on multiple coastlines, offering year-round surf if you know which coast to head to.

The south coast around Weligama, Midigama, and Hiriketiya is the main surf zone — consistent point breaks and reefs that work from November through April. The east coast around Arugam Bay fires from May through September with long, peeling right-hand points that draw comparisons to Indonesia.

Beyond the surf, Sri Lanka packs an extraordinary amount of culture, wildlife, and natural beauty into a small island. Ancient temples, elephant sanctuaries, tea plantations, and tropical forests are all within a day's drive of the coast. And the food — especially the rice and curry — is genuinely world-class.