Surfing in Mirissa, Mirissa Overview

One of Sri Lanka’s most popular beach destinations, Mirissa is situated on the southern coast of the country and is widely popular for surfing. The shallow reef bed and soft waves make it an ideal spot to catch waves and has its fair share of stunning surfing spots spread across the coast.

Mirissa Beach has surf points suitable for beginners as well as expert surfers. It also has a host of surfing schools in its vicinity. One can rent out a surfboard and practice waves on their own as well. And best of all, Mirissa Beach is relatively uncrowded when compared to other seaside towns in the country—making it the perfect spot for learning to surf, or for a calm and unhurried surfing experience. Without a doubt, Mirissa is one of the best locations in Sri Lanka for surfing.

Surf Points in Mirissa

Mirissa Beach has mainly two surf points, situated at either end of the beach. The little-known surf point at the eastern end has a beach break, which is apt for beginners. For intermediate and advanced surfers seeking a bit of adventure, the other end near the reef offers both right and left-handers, but they are not very frequent; the swell can reach about 6 feet.

Beware of sea urchins when surfing in Mirissa; they are known to often cling to the reef.

Surf Schools In Mirissa

As a favourite location for surfing amongst locals and tourists alike, Mirissa has plenty of surf schools. Some of the hotels may have partnerships with surf schools and can arrange a seamless surfing experience for their guests. A well-known surf school at Mirissa is Surf School with Ruwan. Hotels such as Surf and Yoga Mirissa and Chez Podi organize surf lessons as a part of the guests’ stay.

A host of big-name surf schools in Sri Lanka, particularly those on the southern coast, usually arrange surf lessons at Mirissa Beach.

Surf schools on the southern coast typically charge an average of LKR 3000 for a few hours of training; surfboards are additionally included in the cost. The training period can last from a mere three hours to almost ten days! The practice initially includes theoretical lessons, followed by sessions on the waves.

Best Time For Surfing in Mirissa

Like most locations on the southern coast, the best time for surfing in Mirissa is from November to March, when the waves are at their finest. Head out to the beach in the early morning or after sunset to catch the best waves.