Sri Lanka, an island nation off the coast of India, is the ideal surf safari destination. Surf is quality and consistent, but not epic, which is why it mainly attracts surfers who want a cultural experience. It also attracts surfers who don’t have to travel too far—Israelis, Japanese, Australians, Europeans.
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The north and east of the island are closed to visitors due to the country’s ongoing civil war. This means Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka’s best break, is generally off-limits to solo tourists. All the action is at the southern resort town of Hikkaduwa. Most surfers pass by the A Frame surf shop/Mambo Surf Tours (94-74-380985, www.mambo.nu) which has fostered a small posse of local surfers and offers basic lodging right on the beach. At Hikkaduwa you’ll find clean three- to six-foot waves at Main Reef (the island’s most powerful break with lefts and rights), the left North Jetty and the left reef break Benny’s. When asked why he comes to Hikkaduwa, Tamir Levi, a visiting Israeli surfer, says, "People make the difference. Sri Lankans are really friendly and not territorial." Aim for the November-to-April dry season for Hikkaduwa, May to October for Arugam.
SURF TRAVEL COMPANY, AUSTRALIA
Surf Travel can design a surf experience custom tailored to your interests. The Surf Travel Company was established in 1987 by a visionary surfer who had a hand in discovering many of the Indonesian breaks that are known today and was one of the early pioneers in dedicated surf charter boats.Every surfer that has ever been on a trip to Indo, the Maldives, PNG, the Pacific or any far flung surfing destination owes a small legacy to STC, because without the foresight and dedication to the travelling surfer, such opportunities would remain only for the hard core explorer to ensuring that customers chosen surf travel adventure meets expectations, no matter what their budget or surfing standard.
The Surf Travel Company Holdings Pty Ltd, Level 11,
1 Chifley Square Sydney, NSW, 2000
Phone: +61 2 9222 8870
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Web: http://www.surftravel.com.au/