Surf Forecasts:
Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa) surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 17s period, S swell with 1,865 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 1.8m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 5AM. 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 | 5AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s look at what’s cooking near Hikkaduwa.
Right now, it’s pretty quiet. The only spot worth talking about is Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa) , a shallow reef break for the more experienced crew. The forecast starts on Friday the 21st of August with some swell, but conditions are ugly. You’ve got a 5ft SSW swell with a 14-second period, but the wind is onshore and there are thunderstorms around. The water temp is about average for the time of year.
That first Friday is a total loss – poor surf, choppy and messy. Saturday the 22nd sees the swell rise to 6ft from the south, with a 15-second period, but the wind is cross-onshore and it’s all chop. The wave energy is moderate to strong (1731), but it’s not clean. Sunday the 23rd is still onshore, and the swell drops a bit. By Monday the 24th, the swell fades to 3ft but the period stretches to 17 seconds – long period groundswell, but the wind is still onshore and it’s just not happening.
The whole first week is a grind. The wind stays onshore from the west or west-south-west, and the surf quality is poor to marginal. There’s moderate energy in the water – values between 800 and 1500 – but it’s never matched with good wind. The reef is exposed to the southwest swell, which is the right direction, but the wind is the problem.
Into the second week, we get some size. Monday the 31st of August has a 8ft SSW swell with an 18-second period – that’s a very long period groundswell, packing serious energy (3586). But again, onshore wind and thunderstorms. This size is for experts only, especially with that long period; it’ll be lining up well on the reef, but it’ll be a fight in the wind. Tuesday the 1st of September is similar, 7ft from the SSW, still onshore.
The best chance, and I mean the only real chance, is around Thursday the 3rd of September. The swell drops to 6ft from the south with a 13-second period, and the wind finally lightens up. The afternoon shows a gentle breeze, some clouds, and marginal conditions – not perfect, but it’s the best we’ve seen in two weeks. The energy is moderate (1658), and the direction is good for the reef. If you pick your tide, you might snag a few clean ones.
After that, it fades into the 4th and 5th of September with small, onshore slop.
This is a rough stretch. There’s plenty of swell, sometimes a lot, but the wind just won’t cooperate. If you’re a solid surfer and you’re keen, the 3rd of September afternoon is your window. Otherwise, sit tight. Things can turn around, but for now, Hikkaduwa is not playing nice.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 34mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 28°C on Sat morning, min 26°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 43mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 28°C on Wed afternoon, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 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) | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 14 | S 17 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
1460 | 1121 | 1063 | 675 | 1428 | 1258 | 999 | 831 | 683 | 480 | 505 | 661 | 1074 | 978 | 549 | 232 | 724 | 525 | 773 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 6:37AM0.43m | 4:43PM0.34m | 8:50AM0.38m | 12:12PM0.42m | 1:13AM0.32m | 12:51PM0.48m | 1:27AM0.39m | 1:20PM0.55m | 1:48AM0.46m | 1:45PM0.60m | 2:10AM0.52m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:35PM0.15m | 12:31PM0.29m | 11:48PM0.20m | 8:59PM0.24m | 7:45PM0.20m | 6:20AM0.23m | 7:44PM0.15m | 6:57AM0.18m | 7:54PM0.11m | 7:26AM0.14m | 8:09PM0.07m | ||||||||
— | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:19 | — | |
mm | 19 | 5 | 4 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
Temp °C | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 28 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
1460 | 1121 | 1063 | 653 | 1428 | 1258 | 999 | 831 | 683 | 480 | 344 | 661 | 1074 | 978 | 549 | 232 | 724 | 525 | 773 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | S 17 | S 18 | S 26 | SSW 24 | S 21 | S 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | S 12 | WNW 11 | S 11 | S 9 | S 9 | WNW 9 | S 12 | SSW 19 |
74 | 70 | 64 | 675 | 155 | 13 | 108 | 332 | 373 | 422 | 505 | 344 | 91 | 223 | 130 | 103 | 88 | 287 | 528 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | S 22 | S 18 | W 9 | S 26 | S 26 | S 24 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 10 | W 11 | W 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SSE 8 | SSW 21 | W 9 |
3 | 36 | 248 | 39 | 13 | 13 | 173 | 12 | 11 | 33 | 31 | 49 | 36 | 52 | 102 | 98 | 54 | 45 | 43 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | WNW 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 5 | W 10 | W 6 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | W 9 | W 10 |
92 | 83 | 64 | 69 | 135 | 126 | 119 | 123 | 95 | 75 | 77 | 75 | 57 | 255 | 48 | 60 | 65 | 234 | 307 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 333 | 646 | 338 | 211 | 211 | 338 | 211 | 210 | 738 | 211 | 210 | 738 | 211 | 211 | 1065 | 738 | 210 | 738 | 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.











