Hikkaduwa Surf & Travel Guide for 2025
Hikkaduwa is a super-popular surf town that offers a mix of beaches and reefs for all levels. It’s one of the OG surf towns here, so has lots of hotels and a nice vibe, not too far from the airport.
An introduction to Hikkaduwa surf
Hikkaduwa might just be the most famous of all the beach towns that string along the south-western shore of Sri Lanka. It’s been drawing sun-seekers and snorkelers since the very first holidaymakers came the island’s way in the 60s and 70s.
The waves were discovered a little later…
What was found was a mix of moderately consistent and super-fun beach and reef breaks. For beginners, there’s a shallow, sand-bottomed wave. For more advanced surfers, there are A-frame sections and even harbourside waves that work on bigger swells.
You can almost always find something to match your level. Mellow whitewash for practising the pop? You got it. Faster left-handers that roll off boat jetties? That’s here, too.
Generally speaking, the beginner surf schools head for the southern end of Hikkaduwa. That’s known locally as Narigama Beach. For more challenging waters, go north to the jetty and the point. All of these are within walking distance of each other, so graduating from one to the next is never a problem.
You’ll also find oodles of places to stay in Hikkaduwa, which is reflective of just how popular the place it is – remember we said it was a beach resort before it was a surf destination. The upside? Fantastic boutique hotels and surf lodges, bars and restaurants. The downside? Busy waves.
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!
This is a part of our greater guide to Sri Lanka surf
The surf in Hikkaduwa at a glance
The good…
- A good variety of waves
- Lots of bars to hit afterwards
- Loads of top-rated surf schools
The bad…
- Can be crowded
- The beach isn’t Sri Lanka’s cleanest
- A touch of localism here and there
What will I find in this guide to surfing in Hikkaduwa?
Where is Hikkaduwa, exactly?
North of Galle but south of Colombo, Hikkaduwa is one well-positioned surf town. It sits facing the Indian Ocean as the Sri Lankan coastline turns northwards.
It’s wedged between two coastal lagoons and fronted by almost a kilometer of very nice beachfront. The main A2 highway runs right through the middle of town.
That might bring traffic, but it also ensures the whole resort is easy to reach. From Galle you’re looking at a 35-minute drive. From Colombo, it’s more like two hours.
How to get to Hikkaduwa?
- Private transfer – If Hikka is your first port of call in Sri Lanka then it’s definitely worth considering a private transfer. The going rate is around $80 for a car that can host up to three travelers. For that, you’ll have a driver waiting for you outside the arrivals hall, which is nice cos you can dodge transfers into Colombo to connect with trains and buses. It takes 2 hours in total and means you should be able to bring the boards with you but be sure to clear that with your driver. Always pre-book.
- Bus – Buses run to and from Galle all day long. That’s the nearest city, about 20 minutes’ driving to the south. There are also regular buses that come in from Colombo, taking between four and five hours (see why most people go for the train?). They are cheap and very good fun, but surfboards are not allowed on board.
- Train – You can easily hop on the main railway line at Colombo to get to Hikkaduwa. The town is served by regular trains that take about 1.5 hours in total. You can expect to pay in the region of 260 LKR for the ride, and boy is it a fun way to travel! We’d always recommend booking in advance, however. The trains will fill up. There’s a new online booking portal for Sri Lankan trains but it’s buggier than a buggy thing. We use 12Go, who charge a few dollars extra but offer easy ticketing.
Getting around Hikkaduwa
Thankfully, most of Hikkaduwa is walkable once you’re in town.
The stroll from the top end of Narigama Beach to the Jetty breaks is about 20 minutes. However, you don’t have to brave the bustling Galle Road to get between the two. Just walk the on the beach itself – great views and plenty of cocktail pitstops en route.
Of course, tuk-tuk drivers will always be at hand for when you do want to explore a little further afield.
Most notably, they can take you south to the uncrowded beach breaks of Owakanda for maybe 1000 rupees (the going rate as of 2024 is about 100 Rs./km). We’ve never come across one that doesn’t have the ability to strap boards to the roof in our four trips to Sri Lanka.
Hikkaduwa surf spots
There’s a nice mixture of different breaks to pick from on the 1,000 metres or so of shoreline that’s occupied by Hikkaduwa.
Generally speaking, going north means getting more challenging waves,while the southernmost sands of Narigama are blessed with the better beginner breaks.
In these parts, keep an eye out for SW swells and easterly offshores. Those are the doozy. Mornings/evenings are always best.
North Jetty
Head to the harbour area of Hikka to find the ever-popular North Jetty. It holds up to overheads with nice long lefts that punch directly across the shallow reef.
There’s a regular crowd here so don’t expect to be surfing alone. On windy days, the wave will get mushy fast, so those early sessions are key before the heat brings the gusts.
Technically, North Jetty is an A-frame. It’s just that the right is nowhere near as long or shapely as the left. Best for goofy intermediates and very good fun on its day.
Benny’s
One of the go-to spots in Hikkaduwa for the more experienced surfer is Benny’s. It’s named – like so many of the breaks in Sri Lanka – after the guesthouse that stands right next door. Or, more accurately, it was named after the owner of a guesthouse that once stood here and probably welcomed the very early surf-travelers to Lanka back in the 60s and 70s.
Expect a fast take off on a pitching shoulder over relatively deep coral bottom. The wave can hold up on the bigger swells of more than 1.5 metres. It’s got fantastic consistency and can even throw out the odd hollow section on those larger days.
The best locals will surf this almost every day. They’re not overly territorial but don’t suffer fools or drop ins. If you’re not good enough then you’ll just get burned.
Main Reef
The Main Reef at Hikkaduwa is surely the most surfed spot in the whole town.
On most days, it’s good for anyone who’s intermediate+ and up. You’ll get A-frames with fairly decent right and left waves that can peel nicely and section into steep and fatter parts, depending on the period.
When the swell is higher, it’s usually left for the experts, not because the reef is sharp or specifically shallow (it’s not really) but rather cos the wave gets faster and can hollow out. Rare Sri Lankan backdoor sections when it’s above 10 foot.
Given the proximity to Benny’s, this is the best part of Hikkaduwa for more advanced surfers to stay.
Where to stay? Mountain Wave Hotel and Surfshop has simple rooms and a surf shop on site with rental racks and all the gear you’ll need. Helpful owners will point you in the right directin for Benny’s and Main Reef.
Narigama Beach
Also known as Sunbeach (again, after one of the local hotels), Narigama should be your first port of call if you’re looking to ride your first wave and learn to surf in Hikkaduwa.
It’s a light, mellow beachfront break with lots of local infrastructure – good rentals, great schools. There’s even a bargain hostel on the beachfront where you can stay for a couple of $$ a night and surf literally everyday using the rentals out front.
Expect crowds – and a total kookfest when it’s a little rough, but still nothing on par with Weligama, Sri Lanka’s learner hub.
>>Read more in our full guide to Narigama Beach
Rathgama
South of Hikkaduwa itself but still less than 20 minutes in a tuk-tuk (board strapped to the top, of course), Rathgama has a couple of surf spots that are worth considering if you hate crowds.
The point at Owakanda is the best in the area. It’s a super-mellow longboard wave that can offer rides of over 50-100m. Good for longboarders and egg boards. Cruisy rides aplenty there.
Rathgama is also where the buildings thin out and there are just a handful of lonely little guesthouses facing the sea. But this could be Lanka’s next big thing, thanks to a beach and reef break that are largely suited to beginners.
Check it out on good swell days when the Jetty and Benny’s are packed to bursting. Little localism. Hardly any crowds.
We have a whole article that focuses on Rathgama. Could it be the next big thing on the south coast?
Galle
Galle is the big city that the main coast road leads to as you head south.
It’s not really a great place for surfing; it’s more about history and culture. But the town is the gateway to even more great spots further south, from the beginner bays of Dewata to the fantastic beach and reef breaks of Kabalana.
Check our full guide to surfing in Galle
Top hotels (for surfers) in Hikkaduwa
There are loads of reasons why Hikkaduwa has become a mecca for Sri Lankan surfing.
Colombo locals flock down to its various lovely beaches from the capital to hit the waves because it’s nice and accessible. International surfers are drawn by the mix of open beach and reef breaks. Families love it for the chilled-out vibes and top hotel options.
There are stays for all sorts of traveler….
Riff Hikkaduwa
Riff Hikkaduwa is a breathtaking achievemnet of design and style that sits plumb on the beachfront of Hikka. Rooms mingle Scandi design with understated elegance. Just look at the way that every floor-to-ceiling window seems to offer a perfect panorama of the Indian Ocean. It’s 5-star luxury within walking distance of the surf.
Steffi‘s Mandala
Steffi‘s Mandala is a bargain hostel/hotel accom right on the main beach here. It’s chilled and full of good people. They offer 4- and 10-bed dorms, some female only. Loads of surf rentals nearby and the waves of beginner-friendly Narigama are literally steps outside.
Hikka Resort
Coming surfing in Hikka as a group or a family? You’re sure to love the spacious Hikka Resort, which sleeps up to 14 people and has gorgeous grounds with a big swimming pool. It’s really close to all the major breaks and has a clear luxurious edge to it. Very nice indeed.
There are many more surf stays in the Hikkaduwa region. We like to use Booking.com’s handy map feature to pinpoint hotels that are within walking distance of the breaks we think we’ll surf the most.
One place I can reccomend if you want to escape the hubbub of Hikkaduwa itself is the beach town of Akurala. It’s 10 mins to the north but has some really nice stays right on the beach that are super chilled.
On top of that, we’ve also handpicked the very best surf hotels in Sri Lanka, which offer amazing lux stays right by the top waves across the island.
Surf camps in Hikkaduwa
Surprisingly, there aren’t all that many surf camps operating in Hikka.
Go further south, to Midigama and Weligama and Ahangama and you’ll get like 100 options.
For now, Hikka has just one or two places offering inclusive surf packages that last a week or something, include all your accomodation, your surf tuition, and transport to and from the surf spots.
Here, we’ve picked out one or two that we think are the best in town for 2024/25 season, plus an option in nearby Kabalana Beach, which is another hour down the coast but probably worth it if you’re dead set on doing a surf camp just becuase there are more breaks, better camp options, and better learner conditions in that area.
- Hippy Surf Camp – The Hippy Surf Camp has to be one of the most chilled and eco-friendly camps in Lanka. You’ll stay in cute little beach bungalows right in the heart of Hikka (next door to Salty Swamis cafe) and can sign up to thier courses to surf at least two hours each day (more if you want to). The vibe is very chilled, very welcoming.
- Sri Lanka Surf Tours (7-day surf camp in Hikkaduwa) – 2x daily surf lessons for five days plus six nights accomodation is included in this package. The lodge is very nice and characterful. Not only does it come with a lovely swimming pool and garden space, but rooms mix simplicity with convenience, offering four-poster beds with mozzie nets. What we really like is the character of the whole thing. You get local instructors, eat proper local food, and learn a local’s perspective of the breaks in Hikka.
- Gota Dagua (8-day surf and yoga camp) – This is the option in Kabalana. We’d say it’s more in line with the accepted offering from international surf camps. Basically, there’s LOADS of surf: 10 hours of lessons, a theory lesson, and video feedback, plus use of boards whenever you like. It’s also better if you want to meet other travelers, as they organize BBQ nights, karaoke and more.
We’ve got a separate guide to the top surf camps in Hikkaduwa that focuses just on surf-related stays in the town if that’s what you’re after.
Or: For more inspiration on surf camps be sure to read our updated guide to the best in Sri Lanka right now.
Surf lessons in Hikkaduwa
The main beach in Hikkaduwa is littered with places offering surf lessons for varying rates and times. You can just walk out of your hotel and book one, but that does risk getting something pretty rubbish – or worse, a total scam (we’ve heard it happens but never had it happen to us).
Still, we think the best way to go about it is to book in advance. That lets you do a bit of due dilligence on who you’ll be surfing with and if thier lessons are worth your hard-earned $$.
We think the following are:
- Hippy Surf Camp 2-hour lesson – We’ve already mentioned these guys as one of the top surf camps in Hikka. Alongside thier week package they also do short, 2-hour lessons for around $60 per person. That’s more than most in town but it’s totally worth it. Thier equipment is better and thier coaches are really great, especially with beginners!
- Blue Surf 2-hour lesson – The shoestring option. $20 gets you a basic lesson with a local instructor. Don’t expect ultra-focused tutoring. Do expect fun and a good sampling of what surf in Sri Lanka is all about.
When to surf in Hikkaduwa?
Anyone looking to surf Sri Lanka should be aware that there are, roughly speaking, two seasons. They each see the best waves grace different sides of the island. For Hikkaduwa, it’s especially important because the seas will simply be too rough to ride during the monsoon. AKA: Essential reading below…
November-April
The high season in Hikkaduwa brings the nice S-SW swells and easterly offshore winds to bear on Hikkaduwa surf spots. It makes the beaches and the jetty breaks all glassy and lovely.
It also means the weather is at its Sri Lankan best. In fact, regular days of clear skies and sun are the norm, especially in December, January and February.
We’d say budget travelers might do better opting for March or November – rates tend to be lower for hotels and surf classes then.
Wear: Rash vest is all that’s needed. Reef breaks in Sri Lanka can often call for a thin booty as well – it’s just comfier for getting in and out of the water.
May-October
It’s probably not worth you lumping the board down to this corner of Sri Lanka at this time of the year. In fact, Hikkaduwa surf spots all but shutdown for the summer months.
The south-west monsoon kicks in and churns up the Indian Ocean like it’s a mango smoothie in a blender. The waves are unpredictable, periods go to shit, and onshores are common.
Basically, you’re better off heading to the east coast for Arugam Bay.
>> Read our in-depth guide to the surf seasons in Sri Lanka right here
One thing we wouldn’t skip on is sunscreen.
I use Suntribe’s blocks because they’ve made a real effort to strip out any unneccessary chemicals.
Plus, they offer Surf Atlas readers 10% off orders with code Surfatlas10.
Surf shops in Hikkaduwa
Being one of the main spots to hit the waves in all of Sri Lanka, Hikkaduwa has no shortage of gear shops. Most of them are also within easy walking distance of the beachfront, the always-busy Galle Road that runs north to south through the town center.
- Salty Swamis – Part café, part surf shop, Salty Swamis is one of the top stops for gear in Hikkaduwa. The retail area is something of a breath of fresh air for an island that’s quite short on genuine high-quality surf outlets (surprisingly). It’s got epoxy boards, shorties, performance boards, and longboards, all designed with the surf Sri Lanka has to offer in mind. Also check out the cool eco tees, hats, and accessories.#
- Sunny Surf Shop – At the south end of Hikka. It’s got racks of big foam boards that are rentable but also lots of surf equipment, from boots to rash vest and other clothing, plus accessories like sun block and wetbags. They also sell leashes – which is kinda’ gold dust as we find leashes very hard to get hold of in Sri Lanka! Not sure why?
Where to eat in Hikkaduwa?
Put it this way – you won’t be going hungry in Hikkaduwa. With decades of hosting beach lovers to its back, this town has plenty of places to dine. They range from slick international cafes with creative burgers to local curry joints. Some we can recommend are:
Salty Swamis…again
Yea, Salty Swamis really is worth a double mention. Out in the chilled café area, you can settle in to enjoy homegrown Sri Lankan arabica beans.
For breakfast, it’s dosa breads right next to banana toast and poached egg on avocado. Lunchtime brings in the Yogi burgers and miso-infused poke bowls. Drinks range from fruit-packed smoothies to simply divine concoctions of papaya and lemongrass and king coconut. Just don’t miss it, okay guys?
Neela’s
Neela’s is right on the beachfront, so good views are certain. It’s actually been there since the very first days of Hikkaduwa’s popularity.
The name of the game is fresh fish caught by local fishermen. That’s served alongside some tasty Sri Lankan usuals: dals, coconut curries, fresh fruit salads. You should try to jostle for one of the seats on the sand beneath the shade of a coconut palm. Cliché, perhaps, but lovely.
Things to do (when you’re not surfing) in Hikkaduwa
Hikkaduwa isn’t just for those who want to surf Sri Lanka’s southern coast. It’s also a place for chilled beach days, diving, and enjoying fine seafood…
Laze on Narigama Beach
Narigama Beach runs for hundreds of metres right alongside the bustling Galle Road. Above all, it’s what turned this corner of Sri Lanka into a mecca for R&R. Expect sunbeds by cocktail bars.
Get ready for shimmering blue waters and swaying palms. It’s quintessential Indian Ocean stuff, even though the cleanliness might be lacking here and there.
Hikkaduwa Coral Sanctuary
Just off the coast of Hikkaduwa’s main beach is a protected swathe of Indian Ocean coral. The reef’s in relatively good condition, especially considering the booming popularity of the resort.
Get out there with the snorkels in tow and you’ll spend your day in the company of sea turtles, brain sponges, and parrotfish. The best part? This one’s probably best explored when the sea is calm and there’s no swell rolling into those Hikkaduwa surf spots!
Safari in Udawalawa National Park
You can do a complete day-tour that takes you to the amaznig Udawalawa National Park from any town on the south coast, including Hikka. It was one of our all-time highlights of Sri Lanka, offering glimpses of leopards, elephants (real, wild ones!) and bazillions of birds.
Choose a flat day cos it takes from dusk til dawn.
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!
