
Surf Forecasts:
Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa) surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 11 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 19s period, S swell with 1,277 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 1.3m 19s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (+0530) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for our local waters.
To be honest, the outlook for Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa) is a tough one to get excited about for the next week or so. The wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, and we’ve got a lot of "risk tstorm" weather hanging around. The water temp is sitting at 82°, which is about average for this time of year, so no shocks there.
The first real chance of anything decent doesn’t roll in until Sunday afternoon, 18 August. Up until then, we’re looking at a solid 8-day stretch of poor surf conditions - mostly cross-onshore breezes blowing out the surface, and the swell energy is just not cooperating. It’s a long gap with nothing worth paddling out for.
Come Sunday morning the 18th, the swell jumps up to 6 ft from the SSW with a long 19-second period, and the combined energy is strong (3151). The wind is onshore though, so it’s a bit of a tease. That afternoon, the swell hits 7 ft, but the wind swings cross-onshore and the conditions get choppy. The real standout here is Monday 19 August morning: a solid 7 ft SSW swell, with a 17-second period and very strong energy (3350). That’s a big groundswell pushing in. Because it’s a reef break, the long period will work well here, giving you proper shape and power. But the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s going to be a battle with chop. This is advanced-level surf – over 8 ft, so strictly for the experienced crew. The crowd factor is "sometimes", so you might not have it all to yourself, but it’s not a circus.
The long period also means longer lulls between sets, which helps with the paddle out. The swell direction is SSW, which is a bit off the optimum SW, but it’s close enough to get some good lines. The wind is the main issue; it’s not offshore, so it won’t be glassy. If the wind cooperates, this could be the best of the run. But as it stands, it’s a promising but compromised option.
After that, the swell stays in the 5 ft to 7 ft range through to the end of the period, but it’s almost always cross-onshore and choppy. The energy remains moderate to strong (over 1000), but the quality is just not there. There’s no real standout other than that Monday morning.
So, if you’re an expert and you don’t mind a bit of chop, the 19th of August is your window. For everyone else, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 50mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 26°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 28°C on Sat morning, min 26°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | ||||||||||||||
PM | 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 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 21 | S 19 | S 18 | S 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 11 | W 9 | W 8 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1929 | 620 | 636 | 1147 | 436 | 1277 | 777 | 871 | 661 | 421 | 205 | 338 | 297 | 252 | 314 | 297 | 245 | 292 | 297 | 297 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 00:44AM0.33m | 12:59PM0.56m | 1:28AM0.41m | 1:37PM0.61m | 2:03AM0.49m | 2:09PM0.65m | 2:36AM0.57m | 2:39PM0.67m | 3:07AM0.62m | 3:07PM0.68m | 3:38AM0.66m | 3:34PM0.67m | 4:08AM0.66m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:27PM0.20m | 6:10AM0.19m | 7:48PM0.14m | 7:09AM0.14m | 8:12PM0.09m | 7:53AM0.10m | 8:36PM0.05m | 8:29AM0.09m | 9:00PM0.02m | 9:03AM0.08m | 9:24PM0.00m | 9:33AM0.09m | 9:48PM-0.00m | |||||||
— | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:22 | — | |
mm | 3 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 13 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | 1 |
Temp °C | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | S 12 | S 15 | S 14 | S 11 | S 19 | S 11 | S 18 | W 10 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 |
1929 | 517 | 636 | 1147 | 338 | 1277 | 345 | 871 | 235 | 297 | 205 | 338 | 281 | 227 | 314 | 297 | 245 | 292 | 297 | 297 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | S 16 | S 11 | SSW 22 | S 13 | S 12 | S 18 | W 10 | SSW 16 | WNW 9 | SSE 10 | SSW 5 | SSW 15 | S 13 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | WNW 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | W 10 |
218 | 620 | 319 | 526 | 366 | 330 | 777 | 234 | 661 | 225 | 88 | 28 | 146 | 87 | 261 | 171 | 63 | 146 | 146 | 52 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 26 | SW 24 | SSW 23 | SSW 22 | S 21 | S 13 | SSW 12 | SSE 11 | S 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 19 | S 21 | W 9 | S 19 | SSW 15 | W 10 | W 10 | SW 14 |
66 | 143 | 471 | 485 | 436 | 350 | 205 | 259 | 276 | 421 | 191 | 142 | 63 | 133 | 54 | 178 | 148 | 47 | 51 | 100 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | — | S 11 | SW 6 | WSW 6 | W 6 | W 9 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 |
— | 171 | 177 | 275 | 246 | 267 | 320 | — | 442 | 77 | 172 | 112 | 297 | 252 | 145 | 168 | 106 | 206 | 240 | 187 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1836 | 333 | 210 | 338 | 333 | 646 | 338 | 58 | 646 | 738 | 58 | 210 | 210 | 211 | 205 | 24 | 172 | 208 | 24 | 172 |
Best forecast wave conditions in West Sri Lanka | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Sri Lanka | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











