Akurala Beach – Chill Here, Surf Hikka
Akurala Beach sits about 10 minutes north of Hikkaduwa on Sri Lanka’s fantastically gorgeous southwest coast. It’s a calm, golden-sand bay fringed by palm trees and dotted with small fishing boats, with a little patch of reef hanging around its north end.
The spot is popular with day-trippers from Colombo (which is about 2 hours’ drive away) looking for a quieter alternative to Hikka’s bustle but also becoming more popular with families and couples on the hunt for somewhere really chill near to some good southwest surf spots.
There’s no real surf in Akurala. It’s a beach for combing, kicking back and doing nada. But it’s ideally placed if you want peaceful accommodation and easy access world-class spots, which begin south of town and stretch on for miles – it’s all a case of how far you’re willing to go.
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Surfing in Akurala Beach
While you won’t find any rideable peaks on Akurala itself, you’re only a short tuk-tuk ride from Hikkaduwa. If you hear anyone talking about surfing in Akurala itself, they usually mean they headed from thier hotel to Hikka.
Hikkaduwa is actually one of Sri Lanka’s classic surf hubs, with a range of reef breaks and beach sections to suit all different levels.
The Main Reef in town is the go-to, offering a long, workable right-hander that can serve up both carvable shoulders and tube sections when the swell is right. Beginners can head to Narigama Beach, which is a perfect spot for easy waves and is lined with good schools.
Hikkaduwa is busy these days. It’s one of the OG resort towns of the southwest. Expect plenty of surf schools, rentals, and cafés right on the sand, making it an easy and social place to base yourself. Don’t expect to be alone.
The good news is that tuk-tuk drivers are always willing to strap your board to the top of thier vehicle and drive the 10 mins down to HIkka drom Akurala. Negotiate a price first and do that each day if you want the best of both worlds: Chilled hotel by a lovely beach but the surf of Hikkaduwa, without the tackiness of a proper tourist resort area.
Other surf spots near to Akurala
Akurala is very much the northern end of the southwest surf zone of Sri Lanka. If you’re willing to travel, you can access a whole bunch of awesome spots, from the ones around Galle to the rising stars of Ahangama. Here are some of the closest.
- Rathgama – A sleepy stretch of sand a few kilometres south, Rathgama is a versatile beachbreak with a mix of mellow reforms for learners and punchier peaks for intermediates when the swell fills in. It’s far less busy than Hikka but also not so reliable.
- Galle – Around 30 minutes south, the colonial fort town of Galle hides a few reefs and beachbreaks that get good on bigger swells. The main spot to know about is the beach south of town…
- Dewata (Closenberg) – Just outside Galle, this is a favourite learner and longboard wave. A sandy bay with slow, rolling (predominantly lefts) that peel across the inside, it’s great for relaxed sessions or surf lessons.
When to surf in Akurala?
The southwest coast of Sri Lanka is best from November to April, when dry-season winds keep conditions clean and regular swells wrap in from the Indian Ocean. May to October sees the monsoon, with stronger winds, heavier rain, and messier surf, though the east coast of Sri Lanka picks up at that time if you’re chasing year-round waves.
For more info, be sure to check out our guide to the surf seasons in Sri Lanka.
Other things to do in Akurala
- Sinharaja Forest Reserve – Okay so it’s like 2.5 hours’ drive inland from Akurala, but the Sinharaja Forest Reserve is one seriously amazing corner of the island. it’s a UNESCO reserve these days and has some epic hiking that’s best done with a guide.
- Visit Galle – This is a must if you ask me. Galle is a beatiful town. It dates back about 400 years and has churches and walls that rise straight from the ocean. A walking tour is the best way to appreciate the history of it all, but you could also just sit, chill, and sip a coffee.
- Swim and snorkel in the lagoon – The protective reef just offshore keeps the waters calm and clear along the top stretch of Akurala Beach. I’ve heard the locals say that there are turtles in there.
- Akurala Walking Path – There’s a designated strolling path alongside the ocean in Akurala that has nice sunsets.
Where to stay in Akurala?
The hotels are one of the reasons I’d consider Akurala as a base. As you’ll see they are pretty lovely. High-quality, very serene and quiet, and still within good striking distance of HIkka’s main waves.
- Tantalize Beach – Arguably the best beachfront hotel in the region of Hikkaduwa, this is a modern, elegant property that has a gorgeous pool overlooking the reefs.
- Mudliyar House – Take it up a notch on the luxury front with a stay at Mudliyar House. It’s 5-star service, boutique style. Super-relaxing gardens, daily cleaning, and just style throughout. Love it.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
