Surf CampAhangama, Sri Lanka
Surfing in Ahangama, Sri Lanka - The ultimate surf guide
Are you ready for a surfing adventure in beautiful Sri Lanka? We guide you through everything you need to know to have the best surf camp experience in beautiful Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is an island of delicious curries, gorgeous jungle scenery and amazing waves. Here are all the basics that you'll need to know to enjoy your surf holiday to the fullest, from what to bring with you, where to stay and how to get around. Welcome to Sri Lanka, a world-famous tropical surf paradise where surfers of all levels will have the time of their lives!
Quick Sri Lanka facts: Things to know before you go
Official languages: Sinhala and Tamil
Time zone: GMT + 05:30
Currency: Sri Lanka Rupee (LKR)
Capitals: The capitals of Sri Lanka are both Colombo and Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.
Population: Around 22 million people.
Religion: The majority of Sri Lanka is Buddhist, over 70 percent of the country. Other religions like Hinduism, Islam and Christianity are also present on the island.
Electricity: 230 V is the voltage in Sri Lanka. You need to bring a D or a G plug adapter if your electronics don’t fit the power outlets.
Flag: 🇱🇰
Surfing in Sri Lanka: Everything you need to know
Secure the surfboard on top of the tuk-tuk, jump in and let’s head out surfing! The playful waves, warm waters, and dreamy tropical vibes are basically begging you to hit the book button. In Ahangama, you’ll find a variety of surf spots suitable for all skill levels, from beginner-friendly breaks to challenging reefs. Are you ready for an unforgettable surf trip to Sri Lanka?
Read more about our surf courses in Sri Lanka here
Seasons and surf conditions: When is the best time to surf in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka is divided into the dry season and the wet season. The dry season is the best time to surf on the south coast, with clean swells, offshore winds, and sunny skies. The waves are generally mellow and more beginner-friendly during this period.
You can expect larger swells but with choppier conditions during the wet season. Advanced surfers might prefer the challenge, while beginners should stick to sheltered breaks.
Dry season (summer): November to April
Wet season (winter): May to October
Dry season conditions: High season for surfing
In Ahangama, the dry season is a surfer’s dream. From November to April, you’ll experience warm, sunny days and consistent swells that cater to all levels of surfers. The waves are generally small to moderate, making for clean rides and clear skies. This is the peak season!
Wet season conditions: Surfing through the occasional rain
While the wet season in Ahangama, from May to October, might seem daunting, it has its own charm. Swells become larger and more powerful, perfect for advanced surfers looking for a challenge. The increased humidity and more frequent rain showers don’t mean constant downpours—there are still plenty of sunny breaks amidst the rain. This period also offers fewer crowds and more affordable prices, making it a good choice for those seeking a quieter surf experience.
When is the best time to surf in Ahangama for my level?
Ahangama’s consistent surf makes it a fantastic destination, no matter when you visit. The dry season delivers sunny days, calmer surf, and pristine conditions for those looking to ease into the waves. The wet season, while quieter, brings exciting swells and lush, green landscapes. Whether you're a beginner or a surfer with more experience, Sri Lanka always has a wave waiting for you.
What’s the vibe like in the water?
Ahangama hosts a relaxed and friendly vibe in the lineup. While some surf spots can get busy, especially during peak season, there's a strong sense of camaraderie among surfers. Early morning sessions are typically less crowded, offering a more serene experience. The surf community is welcoming, with surfers chatting and respecting one another. So, as long as you are respectful too, you'll find your share of waves!
Surfboard recommendations: Which surfboard should I bring to Sri Lanka?
If you’re considering bringing your own board to Sri Lanka, we have some recommendations. Remember to consider the season and the type of waves you're chasing so you can bring the best possible board for your trip. Here’s what we suggest:
Shortboard: Perfect for tackling Sri Lanka’s powerful waves, especially during the peak swell season.
Fish: A fish board is great for the region's smaller to medium-sized waves. Its versatility makes it a solid choice for navigating the various conditions you might encounter.
Midlength: This board offers a balanced option for Sri Lanka’s diverse surf. It combines a shortboard's maneuverability with a longboard's stability, making it a reliable choice for various wave types.
Malibu (Funboard): Ideal for enjoying the gentler, more relaxed waves, particularly during the off-peak season. The Malibu or funboard is excellent for cruising and providing a smooth ride on smaller swells.
Longboard: A longboard will serve you well if you prefer a more laid-back time in the water. It’s perfect for smooth, stable rides on small to medium-sized waves, offering a classic surf experience.
Local weather: Sunny days and seasonal rain
Sri Lanka's weather is characterized by tropical warmth with a mix of sunny days and seasonal rain, offering a nice and pleasant climate year-round!
Air temperature: The air temperature usually ranges from around 29°C to 32°C (84°F to 89°F) throughout the year. The dry season features consistent warm temperatures and sunny skies, while in the wet season, temperatures remain warm, but you can expect increased humidity and more frequent rainfall.
Water temperature: The water temperature remains comfortably warm all year round, between 27°C and 30°C (81°F to 86°F).
Regarding wetsuits and swimwear: What should I wear while surfing in Sri Lanka?
In Sri Lanka’s tropical climate, wetsuits are unnecessary, but there are a few items you might consider to make sure that you’ll be comfortable and protected while surfing:
Swimwear: You can surf comfortably in swimwear year-round. So you can save space in your suitcase and leave the wetsuit at home.
Rashguard: Surfing in a rashguard is a great way to shield yourself from sunburn and rashes caused by the surfboard.
Leggings: Consider wearing leggings to add sun protection and prevent knee abrasions.
Surfing hat: A hat can help protect your face, ears, and neck from the sun’s rays. Look for one with a chin strap to keep it secure in the waves.
Reef shoes: Avoid injuries from sharp reefs, rocks, or sea urchins by wearing a pair of reef shoes.
Surf safety: What should I be aware of?
Surfing in Ahangama is a blast, but here are a few things to keep in mind to keep the surf session fun and safe:
Weather conditions: Be prepared for some rain showers, especially in the wet season. While thunderstorms can pop up, they usually give way to sunny skies, so keep an eye on the weather forecast.
Water conditions: Watch out for sea urchins, rocks, strong currents and shallow reefs. Watching where the other surfers go into the water and sit in the lineup is a good idea. And don't forget, inexperienced surfers are often in the mix, so keep your distance from those big boards that might come your way!
Local hazards: Traffic can be a bit of an adventure, with bustling buses and tuk-tuks zipping around. Stay alert on the roads and be patient—your surf session will be worth it!
A final note on surfing in Sri Lanka: Warm welcomes and unforgettable surf
Ready to have a blast in the water? Ahangama offers fantastic surf conditions with waves that will keep you stoked. Beyond the surf, you'll find friendly locals, rich culture and amazing food. Ahangama is quickly becoming a surfing hotspot similar to Bali, with a great mix of delicious local and Western cuisine to fuel your adventures. So grab your board, soak in the vibrant vibe, and get ready for an unforgettable surf experience in this tropical paradise.
Where to stay: Why should you choose our home in Ahangama?
Well, we are biased in this question, so the fact that we’re saying that the best surf camp in Ahangama is our Lapoint camp probably won't come as a surprise. But why is it the best option in our opinion?
Great surf camp location
Our camp is located across the road from a beautiful beach called Kabalana Beach, where you can go to watch incredible sunsets on the rocks. It’s a great place for a calm beach walk and a nice surf spot when the conditions allow. The camp is located in Ahangama, on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, just a few minutes tuk-tuk ride to restaurants and shops. There are tuk-tuks stationed outside the camp who are ready to give you a ride wherever you want to go in the area; a surf spot, out for a nice meal, go shopping or maybe visit a tea plantation – they take you there! We have tried our best to negotiate fixed prices for you to avoid any concerns about overcharging. There is a price list at the camp for all the most popular spots in the area.
A home for away from home
The surf camp atmosphere is peaceful and relaxing (except for our fun parties of course!). The camp has everything you’ll need for the surf trip of your dreams! You’ll be living close to the ocean surrounded by coconut trees. Social hosts are living at the camp to welcome you upon your arrival. They are there to help you out during your stay, answer any questions you have about the stay or the surrounding area and keep you company at the camp. They will also organize fun pool parties, beach cleanups and other activities for the guests to get to know each other and have the best time possible.
The best of the local specialties: What to eat in Sri Lanka?
There is so much delicious food that you simply must try when visiting Sri Lanka. You’ll see that rice and curry are very popular in the country, and it’s both delicious and affordable! Rice and curry can be eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Here are some of our Sri Lankan food favorites:
Traditional Sri Lankan food
Kottu
Hoppers
Coconut sambal (also called pol sambol)
Hoppers with seeni sambol
Sri Lankan pol roti
Coconut roti
Fish or veggie roti
Dhal curry
Beetroot curry
Kukul mas curry (Sri Lankan chicken curry)
Cassava chips
Must try beverages in Sri Lanka
Wood apple juice
King’s coconuts
Ceylon milk tea
Where to eat?
In the southern part of Sri Lanka, you’ll find a good mix of local restaurants and trendy cafés. A selection of some of the best cafes, bars and restaurants close to Ahangama is:
Baboo: Enjoy a nice and local rice and curry buffet.
Mr Sunil: A cute restaurant close by the water where you’ll get delicious and affordable curries.
Cactus: Here you can enjoy brunch and coffee right by the ocean, here you’ll find pancakes, sandwiches and bowls.
Marshmellow Surf café: a café with a similar vibe as Cactus, located close by. With good food, nice coffee and a great view over the ocean.
Lighthouse: A rooftop bar with a spectacular view over the ocean and palm trees.
What to do when you’re not surfing: Activities to remember for a lifetime
What is there to do around Ahangama? Well, besides surfing, there are plenty of amazing places to see and memorable activities to do! How about seeing wild elephants on a jungle safari or jumping from a waterfall in a rainforest?
Safari at Udawalawe National Park
Arrive at the beautiful national park Udawalawe at sunrise to see wildlife from a jungle jeep. Together with an experienced guide, you’ll see all kinds of wildlife. Animals that you can see during the safari are Sri Lankan elephants, peacocks, water buffalos, crocodiles and monkeys. And, if you’re very lucky, you might even spot a Sri Lankan leopard!
Hike in the Sinharaya Rainforest and jump from a waterfall
How about spending a day in a beautiful rainforest? Take a hike through the Sinharaya Rainforest together with a guide (who can spot animals you’d otherwise never have seen!). The guide will show you different lizards, snakes, birds, monkeys and maybe even spiders and scorpions. The hike will reach a beautiful waterfall where you can jump from the cliffs or just take a refreshing swim in the cool water.
Go on a daytrip to Ella
Explore the beautiful mountain village of Ella, located over a thousand meters above sea level. The village is surrounded by tea plantations and greenery, simply a must-see during your stay in Sri Lanka. During this trip, you’ll get to see mesmerizing waterfalls, hike in the mountains and why not go ziplining to add some more adrenaline to the adventure? Of course, we’ll also head out to see the famous Nine Arches Bridge!
Snorkeling by the reefs
Do you want to spend more time in the water even when you aren't surfing? Then snorkeling might be for you! Experience the beauty of the underwater world at one of the spots to snorkel close to Ahangama. Swim close to the wonderful reefs, look for fish and see if you can spot a sea turtle! Ask the staff at our surf camp for good areas to go to!
Drink Sri Lankan tea at the tea plantation
Sri Lanka is world-famous for its tea, so we recommend you visit a tea plantation and try as many different flavors as you’d like. Around 20 minutes from the camp with a tuk-tuk you’ll reach a tea plantation called Virgin White Tea Plantation. There, you’ll get to go on a tour around their plantation where a member of the staff tell you about the different plantations (you’ll also get a cup of tea and a piece of cake in the middle of the tour!). During the tour, you’ll also see how they grow vanilla, pepper and cinnamon. By the end of the tour you get to see the manufacturing process, then you’ll go to the shop where you can taste 50 types of tea and buy some with you home. The activity costs 650LKR (or 2 USD) but it’s a nice gesture to leave a tip at the end of the visit.
Packing: What should I bring for my Sri Lanka surf trip?
Now that we know what to expect, let’s get ready for the packing! Here is a general list of things to bring and one list that is more surf-related:
Sri Lanka: General packing
Passport: Make sure to bring your passport and see that it is valid for at least six months from your arrival date. Confirm that your travel documents meet the requirements by checking with your travel provider.
Cash: bring a bit of cash with you, you can easily exchange money or withdraw cash at the airport.
A reusable water bottle: preferably one in stainless steel that keeps the water cold. Sri Lanka is a warm country throughout the year, so you're doing yourself a favor by always keeping a bottle of cold water with you. We have water stations to fill up your bottle at our surf camp.
Sunscreen: The sun is strong in Sri Lanka, even on cloudy days! You can get sunscreen around Ahangama, but the main brands sold in the stores aren't of the greatest quality. It's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to protecting your skin, which is why we recommend you bring plenty of Oxybenzone-free sunscreen with you prior to arriving.
Mosquito spray: We recommend you bring a good mosquito spray from home since it can be tricky to find mosquito spray of good quality in Sri Lanka.
A pair of pants and a long sleeve: it's a good idea to put on something that covers your arms and legs during the evening because that is the time when the mosquitos are most active.
Summer clothes: The temperature is warm throughout the year in Sri Lanka, so thin summer clothes are good to bring for the warm days in the sun.
Something warm: Even though Sri Lanka has warm temperatures both day and night, the AC in the rooms can feel quite chilly. So bringing something on the warmer side is a good idea to make sure that you are comfortable.
Sri Lanka: Surf-related packing
Surfboards: If you want to bring your own surfboard to Sri Lanka, we encourage you to! We offer surfboards at our surf camp and you are free to use them throughout your stay, even outside of the surf lessons. Don’t forget to bring a spare leash and fins if you bring your own board.
Surfboard bag: Unfortunately, getting dings on surfboards isn't too uncommon when flying to Sri Lanka. So make sure that you pack your board nicely in a good surfboard bag to keep it as protected as possible.
Zink: Zink is a good thing to bring with you to protect the more sensitive parts of your body from the sun (like the nose and cheeks), we sell zink in different colors at the camp.
Beach towel/surf poncho: Bringing a towel or a surf poncho is a good idea to dry yourself before jumping into the tuk-tuk on your way back from the surf spot. It’s also a good thing to bring on a beach day. We provide shower towels at the camp.
Sarong: It isn´t acceptable to just wear a bikini/bathing suit in Sri Lanka outside of the beaches, so it’s easy and convenient to wrap a sarong around you on your way to and from the beach.
A first aid kit and waterproof bandaids: There is a lack of medicine on the island, so make sure to pack some first aid kit essentials. Bringing waterproof bandaids in different sizes is good in case you get cuts from the reefs or scrape up your knees. The waterproof bandaids in Sri Lanka do not have the best quality so it's better to bring one from home.
Bikinis, boardshorts and rash guards: Sri Lanka’s warm waters do not require you to wear a wetsuit! Just make sure that you wear a pair of board shorts/swimsuit/bikini that is suitable for surfing.
Leggings and long sleeves: Maybe these aren't the first pieces of clothing that one might think of when packing for a hot destination like Sri Lanka, but they can be the savior of the vacation! It’s common to get rashes from the surfboard so it’s a good idea to give your skin a layer of protection if you get burned.
Sustainability
The beach is our home. We are leaving it better than we found it.
We have made a commitment to our ocean, beaches and community. They are our playground, our home and our livelihood. We are going to leave them better than we found them. That means that all our employees, friends and guests helps out with recycling and taking other actions for the environment. Each week there are beach cleaning and recycling activities to ensure that our home stays the way it was supposed to be.
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