
Surf Forecasts:
Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa) surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, S swell with 1,241 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa) this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa) in the next 16 days are 1.6m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (+0530) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, this is Rusty. I’m calling it as I see it – the next 16 days are a tough stretch for Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa). The water temp is about normal for this time of year, nothing special.
The whole forecast is plagued by a steady moderate breeze out of the west and northwest, leaving the ocean choppy or just plain messy. The swell is mostly from the south and southwest, with some long-period groundswells in the mix, but the wind is ruining any chance of clean waves. For a reef break, that’s a real bummer.
We kick off on Tuesday 21 July with a 5ft south swell, 15-second period, and combined energy of 1138 (moderate). The cross-on wind makes it poor and choppy. Wednesday is similar, just smaller. From Thursday through the end of July, it’s all “poor” or “marginal” at best, with heights mostly under 4ft, and the wind staying cross-on or onshore. The combined energy drops into the 300s and 400s some days (weak to moderate), telling you the power is just not there.
There’s a real gap in the middle – from Friday 25 July right through the second week – where the score is basically zero every session. The only hint of life is on Friday 31 July afternoon, which gets a marginal “1” but it’s still cross-on and choppy.
Heading into the first week of August, the swell builds. Saturday 1 August brings 5ft from the SSW with a 16-second period and combined energy of 1854 (strong). But the cross-on wind kills it, and it’s rated poor. By Monday 3 August, the energy jumps to 2924 (very strong) with a 5ft SSW swell at 18 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell – but it’s onshore and unknown. The standout in size and power is Tuesday 4 August: 8ft from the SSW, 18-second period, and combined energy of 3667 (very strong). That’s expert-only territory, but it’s cross-on and choppy. For a reef, that’s no good. Honestly, it’s more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
There’s not a single day I’d recommend paddling out. The wind is the enemy, and the swell direction never matches the optimum SW direction for this break. If you’re desperate, the last week of July has the smallest swell and the gentlest breeze, but it’s still poor. Keep an eye on the charts – this blank run won’t last forever, but for now, save your energy.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Thu morning. Warm (max 29°C on Wed afternoon, min 27°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Warm (max 29°C on Fri morning, min 27°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 10 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSE 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
858 | 957 | 813 | 618 | 498 | 483 | 344 | 177 | 154 | 201 | 217 | 211 | 229 | 316 | 372 | 394 | 341 | 334 | 269 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 6:30AM0.53m | 5:53PM0.47m | 7:16AM0.49m | 6:20PM0.40m | 8:24AM0.45m | 6:51PM0.33m | 10:19AM0.43m | 10:43PM0.29m | 11:58AM0.45m | 00:38AM0.31m | 12:52PM0.50m | 1:23AM0.36m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:45PM0.10m | 12:12PM0.26m | 00:14AM0.14m | 1:03PM0.29m | 00:48AM0.18m | 2:53PM0.31m | 1:41AM0.21m | 7:10PM0.26m | 4:00AM0.23m | 7:30PM0.21m | 5:58AM0.21m | 7:52PM0.16m | |||||||
— | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | |
mm | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Temp °C | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 29 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 |
858 | 957 | 813 | 618 | 498 | 483 | 344 | 117 | 154 | 133 | 119 | 163 | 218 | 316 | 316 | 361 | 341 | 334 | 200 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 11 | W 8 | WNW 10 | S 12 | W 9 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | WNW 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
154 | 108 | 2 | 76 | 22 | 33 | 100 | 177 | 81 | 201 | 217 | 211 | 229 | 290 | 372 | 394 | 143 | 331 | 269 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | W 9 | W 9 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 10 | SW 16 | WNW 9 | SSW 12 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | SSW 14 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 |
122 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 12 | 53 | 41 | 88 | 79 | 54 | 50 | 33 | 43 | 115 | 128 | 118 | 186 | 140 | 107 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | W 6 | W 9 | W 5 | W 9 | WNW 6 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | W 5 | WSW 5 |
56 | 71 | 240 | 41 | 181 | 34 | 35 | 41 | 40 | 29 | 34 | 36 | 30 | 48 | 52 | 51 | 56 | 61 | 84 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 205 | 205 | 738 | 58 | 211 | 739 | 211 | 739 | 739 | 58 | 739 | 739 | 211 | 719 | 739 | 211 | 210 | 739 | 211 |
Best forecast wave conditions in West Sri Lanka | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Sri Lanka | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa) Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa) provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa) can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa) surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa)) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa) may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa) is 9 km (6 miles) from the city of Ambalangoda. If you plan a holiday in West Sri Lanka, look for hotels and other accommodation in Ambalangoda. Ambalangoda has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










