Hiriketiya Beach

Beautiful beach and setting and sometimes there are even turtles swimming between the surfers. Nice to go for a swim. The surfing is good but it’s just so so overcrowded that it’s difficult to enjoy at times.

We love this place. Very lively with lots of surfers. You’ll find a lot of young european backpackers here, who contribute to the atmosphere we love. Ideal to take first surfing lessons and also to swim. Clear and quiet water.

Hiriketiya Beach completely won us over. It’s a smaller beach compared to others in Sri Lanka, but that’s part of its charm. We visited during the off-season, which meant it wasn’t crowded at all—we had plenty of space to roam, relax, and really soak in the beauty of the area without feeling rushed or packed in. It felt like our own little corner of paradise. The beach itself is beautiful—framed by palm trees, calm waves on one end and surfable swells on the other. We loved watching people take surf lessons and try out their newly learned skills in the water. There’s a real sense of community and encouragement among the surfers here, and it’s fun to watch both beginners and more experienced surfers out on the waves. One of the biggest highlights for us was how kind and friendly the local people were. Whether it was the surf instructors, restaurant staff, or just people we passed on the beach, everyone made us feel welcome and at ease. The beach dogs are also the sweetest—gentle, relaxed, and always happy to hang out nearby. There are plenty of great food spots around the beach, offering everything from local Sri Lankan dishes to Western favorites. Whether you're in the mood for smoothie bowls, seafood, coffee, or a sunset cocktail, there's something nearby for every craving. Hiriketiya has a low-key, relaxed vibe that’s easy to fall in love with. It’s not overly commercial or flashy—just simple, beautiful, and full of good energy. Whether you're looking to surf, swim, people-watch, or just unwind on the sand, it’s the kind of place you won’t want to leave. Highly recommend it if you're looking for a beach that feels both peaceful and full of life.

Lovely little bay, is mostly reef so careful with your feet 🥰 great for a surf but can get busy with novices surfers so have your wits about you! Great little swim spot near the yellow food truck

Just live a little while with surfing. Best place in the world for surf lessons from zero to hero. Embrace nature and 365 days summer vibes with pretty girls. Surf with beach boys! Escape the matrix. Enjoy life. You only live once.

Perfect spot to relax and unwind. Truly one of the cleaner beaches I’ve visited! It’s also a surfing paradise with great waves and ideal conditions for both beginners and pros.

Small village with good surf (mostly beginners), perfect for relaxing. Beautiful and quiet yet with plenty of hotels, homestay, bars, good restaurants and night life. The people treat you really well. A little bit expensive in my opinion but the locals totally deserve the money. ATMs and money exchange available.

The most popular of the beaches in the area. Great for surfing and swimming, with plenty of sun loungers to relax on after. Sun loungers start at 750LKR for the day Good variety of food and drink available Family friendly!