The beach resorts of Sri Lanka offer a variety of water sports ranging as follows:
Surfing
Wind Surfing
Snorkeling
Water Sking
Wave Boarding
Canoeing
Scuba Diving
Sailing
Boating
Deep Sea Diving
Jet scooter Racing

So pack your swimwear, your snorkel and your suntan lotion- and head for the beach, for a watery adventure which will leave you thirsting for more.

When to go
All of Sri Lanka's coastal areas lie in the tropical zone. Summers are hot and humid, and monsoons can be depressingly grey; the best time to visit, therefore, is in the winter. November to April is when the weather's at its best. It's warm enough to swim without having to invest in a wet suit, yet cool enough for comfort.

What to bring
Swimwear, suntan lotion, towels- obviously. Equipment such as scuba diving gear, snorkels, surfboards and other such stuff can be hired at major resorts and at Water Sports Complexes , and at a number of beaches in the island and elsewhere. Smaller and less touristy places will invariably not offer equipment for hire, so you'd be well advised to bring your own.

Precautions
Many of Sri Lanka 's beaches, though with great potential for water sports, haven't been developed. They'll offer basic tourist infrastructure, but little else. These are the places you'll have to make sure- perhaps by asking local fishermen- that the seas are safe, and there aren't any sharp rocks, below the surface.

Even if the infrastructure is satisfactory, with life guards at hand, medical facilities and all the other essentials, it's wise to take some precautions. Although swimming by itself doesn't require too much skill, other sports will need specific training and a certain degree of physical fitness. Scuba diving, for instance, needs certified training, with rescue training and emergency care being essential.

Sri Lanka is one of the main surfing spots within the Indian ocean. High quality waves, peaceful surroundings and un-crowded beaches are some of the assets of the Sri Lankan coast. Surf in the country is mainly localized between the Southwest and Southeast of the Island. The south west and east coast of Sri Lanka have some excellent reef which are well worth investigating Sri Lanka offers palm fringed beaches, which adorn over a 1000 miles of coastline, often twisting and curving into little nooks, bays and coves. It is ideal for a paradise holiday of unlimited sun, sea, sand and surf all year round, excellent for swimming and surfing. Diving in these waters takes you into an entirely different and equally delightful world, scattered with fantastic coral formations, colorful, tropical fish as well as interesting sunken wrecks. Towards the south of the island are the highly popular beach resorts of Negombo, Kalutara , Beruwala, and Ahungalla, where fresh seafood is the forte.

The most popular beaches for surfing are Hikkaduwa, Midigama, and Arugam Bay.

About Hikkaduwa
The beach of Hikkaduwa is situated 98 km from Colombo towards the south of Sri Lanka. This fun coastal town 14 kms from Galle was the first of the Sri Lanka's beautiful beaches to be discovered by tourists in the 1960s.. Snorkeling and diving in the clear waters are the major pastime along this stretch and is the most environmentally friendly way to see the colorful fish that dart around. The coral sanctuary found on the coast of Hikkaduwa is a large shallow body of water enclosed by a reef, decorated with layers of multi colored corals, which is home to countless number of colorful fish. Off the beach there is a collection of tiny islets surrounded by beautiful coral formations. Many species of fish and large turtles are found here.

There are more than four different shipwrecks for diving enthusiasts to explore along with dive shops offering PADI courses and equipment. Plenty of beachfront accommodation and a reputation as the second best surf spot in Sri Lanka by the international board-riding set, and the reason so many visit Hikkaduwa is manifestly clear.

The resort area has now engulfed two or three villages south of it, and is now a 4km strip of hotels, shops, bars, restaurants and guesthouses. The beaches are nice and wide and swimming is safe here, though the currents are stronger south of Hikkaduwa proper. The impressive coral reef runs just offshore and is still populated by exotic fish and sea turtles. Glass bottomed boats are available for visitors wanting to admire the wonders of the deep while keeping their feet dry!

After a shot distance southwards from the center of the reef, it diminishes given rise to a wider sandy bottomed beach with good waves ideal for board surfing and body surfing. You can always rent the necessary equipment needed for snorkeling and surfing. Hikkaduwa is an established tourist destination and the surfing there is quite well known. You won't see the Indonesian style overcrowding here though. The reef is coral so a first aid kit and booties are handy. Localism is usually not a problem though we have seen some tourists get some hassle. Respect them and they leave you alone pretty much.

There are many shops selling Masks, Gems, Jewelry, Batik, Antiques and etc. along with several Buddhist temples, all which add spice to life at Hikkaduwa.

Useful facts to know:
The surfing season in Hikkaduwa starts in November and ends in April.
Average water temperature: 28 degrees
Average air temperature: 30 degrees

About Midigama area
The area around Midigama is most popular amongst tourists for the stilt fishing men who can be seen early morning and afternoon. Boat trips can be made on Koggala lake which is home to more than 1000 small islands. Many birds can be seen here. There is a nice museum in Koggala, the Martin Wickremasinghe Museum of Folk, Art & Culture.

Ahangama and Midigama are laid back Sri Lankan villages, mostly visited by surfers. Good places to relax away from the crowds.

Mirissa has a very attractive beach and many guest houses and hotels to stay in. It is a popular place amongst tourists.

Useful facts to know: The surfing season in Midigama starts in November and ends in April.
Average water temperature: 28 degrees
Average air temperature: 30 degrees

Surf spots in the area:
The best surf is found between Ahangama and Midigama. When you go south from Galle, the first surf spot is called the Rock as the peak is in front of a big rock sticking out of the sea. The break is in front of Kabalana hotel, easy to find. It has a good long left and normally a steep, short right. Breaks up to 7ft. The Incoming tide provides the best surf.

Midigama is more famous amongst surfers as the accommodation is cheap and there are various good breaks. The main break is in front of Hiltens Beach Resort. Basically a lazy left, up to 6 ft, deep water, good for beginners and long boarding as well. Early morning the offshore wind might welcome you with some barrels. The next break is in front of Ram's guesthouse. Breaks over a shallow reef. Mainly a right that is short but hollow and fast. Closes out on medium-big swells. Finally approx. 400 meters down the road is another right-hander, more suitable for beginners. Breaks best on a low, incoming tide.

Further south from Midigama you can find surf in Weligama, Mirissa and Dickwella. Weligama has a reef break on the far right of the beach and some beach breaks further south. Mirissa has a well protected right hand reef break.

There are several surf spots between Galle and Ahangama as well. Unawatuna has a right hand reef break, which is better for long boarding. It has waves up to 4ft, sometimes good in the afternoon on a high tide. Many other breaks (mostly uncrowded) can be found on the way to Ahangama, Check it out yourself.

About Arugam Bay
314 km. from Colombo, a most beautiful bay with good surfing possibilities. The East coast offers infinite possibilities for all kinds of water sports and underwater photography. The many ship-wrecks of the coast are a tempting challenge to the diver.

Arugam Bay is a fishing village 2 1/2 km south of the small town of Pottuvil at the remote south end of the east coast. It has probably the best surf in Sri Lanka off a low promontory a little further south, and had developed into a low-budget travelers center. There's a wide, sweeping beach in front of the village itself, good for swimming, and south of the surf promontory a long, deserted beach leading down to 'Crocodile Rock', from where wild elephants can quite often be seen.

Useful facts to know:
The surfing season in Arugam Bay starts in April and ends in October.
Average water temperature: 28 degrees
Average air temperature: 32 degrees

It is useful to refer to the Indian Ocean Swell forecast before beginning to surf:
1) http://152.80.49.210/PUBLIC/WAM/all_indo.html
2) http://facs.scripps.edu/surf/inda.html