Sri Lanka Travel Forum

Hi,
I'm going to be staying at a hotel in Kalutara in a couple of weeks time. I'm a keen intermediate surfer. Can anyone tell me if I'm likely to get any surf on Kalutara beach? If so, are ther any particular hazards?
Many thanks.

From what i remember are the best surfing spots on the other side of the island ie east coast.

When i was in kalutera (june 99) it was not allowed to go into the sea because of the strong currents there due to the rain season.

Thanks. Hopefully I'll be allowed in the water; it doesn't say I won't be able to in the travel brochure.
The east has the better surf, but also the most likely terrotist activity!

Hello,

You wont be able to surf in Kalutara. But you can go to Hikkaduwa 60kms from Kalutara to surf. You might actually enjoy staying there more than Kalutara.

Also there in no Terrorist Activity in the East!!!!

Cheers,

Nilanka

Nilanka, thanks for the reply.
The terrorist activity was tongue in cheek but probably best if I hadn't put it.
It's bad news to hear that I can't surf in Kalutara as I'm booked into a hotel there with my wife for a week. The brochure states that surfborads are available. Is it just that the waves the poor (or non existent!) or is there some other reason why I wont be able to surf there?
Thanks for your help.

Hey mate,

There isn't much surf to make it worthwhile you would probably get board waiting for it to arrive. But you could be one of the lucky ones. Try and make some change if you are really interested in surfing. Hikkaduwa rocks! Where you staying in Kalutara?

Nilanka

I'm a longboarder so I'm used to getting by on small waves. If they were 2 - 3 ft I'd be happy. I may well trek down to Hikkaduwa on the odd day. ther'e not much chance of changing plans now; we got a 'special deal' staying at the Royal palms hotel. For me the trip is a surfing and Buddhist pigrimage, for my wife it's a relaxing beach holiday! I assume that the beach at Kalutara is a good beach for a sun seeker?
Thanks again.

Ok. You have the best hotel in Kalutara. You should be able to find the waves you are looking for. Your wife should have a great time. Do contact me if possible 0777-702696.

Cheers,

Nilanka

Ok. You have the best hotel in Kalutara. You should be able to find the waves you are looking for. Your wife should have a great time. Do contact me if possible 0777-702696 when u are here.

Cheers,

Nilanka

Royal palm beach is a great hotel (we have been there), but concerning the surfing I think you will be disappointed, as when we were there (august) the sea was rough, but not for surfing.

Hi,
I agree with what Jarin said. We stayed in the Royal Palms last September and it's a fantastic hotel. However, though I'm not a great surfer or swimmer the sea always looked too rough to go in and most days the red flag was up (the pool at the hotel, however, is great for swimming in and lounging by. Try the fruit cocktails from the pool bar, tehy're yum!). Also although a stroll along the beach is well worth doing we found it a bit dirty in places i.e. patches of oil and other stuff washed in on the waves. Do go though to the Gangatilaka Vihara, the Buddhist shrine, in Kalutara. The dagoba is hollow so you can inside and it has a frieze of paintings around the wall. We spent about an hour there just sitting quietly and it was just lovely. Also, the Orient Seafood restaurant at the hotel is fab. We dined there nearly every night, the food was great and the most we spent was about £7.00 each for more seafood than we could eat plus starters, dessert and drinks. I'll try and post a few pictures of the hotel on my travel pages if you want to have a look (if any include a red lobster coloured thing that will be me!)

I Don't know about kalutara there might be some monsoonal turbilance beruwela is known for windsurfing, hikkaduwa is better, weligama better but really the best place you can go without a doubt (and I can't belive no one said) is Arugam bay when I was there in June there were jelly fish so take a suit. There is nice 4-5 ft surf there at the point, some reef and some sand breaks.There are some nice bars with internet cafe, and about £3 a night. Best bet get a van from Colombo (you really don't want to get on busses with surfboard!) about £70 agree a price and maybee bet a few of you in there most vans take 8.
There is trouble there however. I visited Sohan Jayasundara of Special Task force there for some jungle training however one of his tparty was kidnapped and was cancelled. I have to say the local surfers said they had no trouble as they kept themselves to themselves. Just don't talk to the police or army there they are really not liked as apparently (acording to the locals) they kill the wrong people and rape the village woman. I have to repeat as I don't want to put you off I saw no trouble there, few soldiers, people relaxed, surfers said no trouble and they have been there for last 30 years. Just avoid drinking in any bars ocupied by authorities is my advice

Paul