
Surf Forecasts:
Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa) surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, S swell with 1,489 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 1.7m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 8s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (+0530) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let’s have a look at what’s going on here. Honestly, for the next 16 days, the outlook is pretty grim for Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa). This is a reef break, advanced only, and it’s fairly consistent, but the conditions just aren’t lining up.
We’ve got a run of poor surf that stretches from the start of the period right through to the end. The first few days, from Wednesday the 15th through to Sunday the 19th, are all showing poor surf conditions. The wind is cross-on or onshore from the W or WSW, blowing at 12–16 mph, which is going to mess up the surface. Swell is small, around 3 ft, with a period of 13–15 seconds. The combined swell energy is weak to moderate, sitting in the 500–800 range – not enough to get excited about.
The water temperature is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual.
Thursday the 20th shows a bit of a bump. The swell jumps up to 5 ft from the S, with a very long period of 17–18 seconds. That’s proper groundswell. The combined energy hits 1921, which is strong. But the catch is the wind. It’s cross-on or onshore, and the conditions are described as marginal at best. For a reef, that long period stuff can be okay, but the wind will make it messy. This is the only day that might be worth a look if you’re desperate, but it’s not a standout.
After that, it’s back to poor surf, with small swell and persistent onshore winds. The run continues through to the end of the month. The 26th has a weird 22-second period from the SW, but with only 2 ft and onshore wind, it’s a non-starter. The 27th and 28th see a bit more size, 4 ft to 4 ft from the SSW, but again, the wind is onshore and the comments are poor or marginal.
There’s a glimmer on the 29th, with a 3 ft, 19-second period swell and a gentle breeze, but the wind is onshore. The 30th has a 5 ft, 16-second period swell with a gentle breeze, but again onshore. It’s just not coming together.
No real standout sessions here. The only time the swell gets interesting is the 20th, but the wind kills it. For a break that’s exposed and needs the right wind, this is a long, quiet run. If you’re a kiter, the onshore winds and bumpy surface might be more your thing, but for a paddle surfer, it’s a write-off.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 28°C on Wed morning, min 26°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Sat night. Warm (max 28°C on Sat morning, min 26°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tue 21 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
402 | 398 | 468 | 558 | 482 | 482 | 482 | 437 | 362 | 347 | 323 | 277 | 277 | 242 | 289 | 307 | 759 | 1432 | 858 | 1108 | 622 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:40AM0.49m | 2:53PM0.66m | 3:19AM0.54m | 3:26PM0.67m | 3:58AM0.57m | 3:58PM0.65m | 4:36AM0.59m | 4:28PM0.63m | 5:13AM0.59m | 4:57PM0.59m | 5:50AM0.57m | 5:25PM0.53m | 6:30AM0.53m | 5:53PM0.47m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:52PM0.08m | 8:28AM0.08m | 9:22PM0.05m | 9:09AM0.09m | 9:52PM0.04m | 9:46AM0.11m | 10:21PM0.03m | 10:22AM0.15m | 10:49PM0.05m | 10:57AM0.19m | 11:17PM0.07m | 11:33AM0.22m | 11:45PM0.10m | 12:12PM0.26m | |||||||
— | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | |
— | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 2 | — | 2 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
Temp °C | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 |
Feels °C | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 15 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | SSW 14 |
240 | 235 | 468 | 558 | 482 | 482 | 482 | 437 | 362 | 347 | 323 | 277 | 277 | 242 | 289 | 307 | 759 | 1432 | 858 | 1108 | 622 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | S 13 | SE 8 | S 12 | ESE 8 | S 10 |
402 | 398 | 191 | 223 | 208 | 204 | 131 | 98 | 98 | 83 | 126 | 97 | 92 | 92 | 98 | 154 | 414 | 11 | 284 | 6 | 121 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | — | SE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 8 | ESE 8 | WNW 10 | W 10 | WNW 10 | SE 9 | S 7 | S 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | SE 9 | W 10 | SE 8 | — | SE 8 |
6 | — | 4 | 3 | 7 | 19 | 19 | 7 | 20 | 47 | 77 | 3 | 40 | 33 | 37 | 78 | 26 | 94 | 11 | — | 10 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | WSW 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 |
173 | 178 | 140 | 132 | 124 | 100 | 75 | 132 | 139 | 114 | 106 | 130 | 137 | 182 | 173 | 85 | 379 | 384 | 273 | 251 | 246 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 211 | 646 | 210 | 211 | 210 | 739 | 211 | 646 | 338 | 211 | 210 | 338 | 211 | 210 | 210 | 211 | 210 | 738 | 211 | 646 | 739 |
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.











