
Surf Forecasts:
Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa) surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 30 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 18s period, SSW swell with 659 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 1.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 30) at 8AM. 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 | 8AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on offer for the Hikkaduwa stretch.
To be straight with you, the whole 16-day window is a tough one for Inside Reef (Hikkaduwa). The water is sitting at 83°F right now, which feels about a degree and a half warmer than usual for this time of year – a nice little touch of tropical bath water.
The issue is that we’re looking at a long stretch of “poor surf conditions” from the get-go, right through to the end of the first week of August. The wind is almost always onshore or cross-onshore from the west, blowing at 9 to 19 mph, which is just going to mess up any chance of a clean face. There are some pulses of swell, but the energy is all over the place – weak to moderate in the first few days, then ramping up to strong later on. The swell direction is mostly from the SSW, which is not the optimum SW that this reef likes. Even when the period gets long, like 15 to 20 seconds, the cross-onshore wind just chops it up.
The only flicker of something slightly different comes on Sunday, August 2nd. The afternoon shows a 6ft swell from the WNW with a short period of 8 seconds, and the energy is strong. The comment says "marginal surf forecast," and the wind is cross-onshore, but it's the only time the score climbs above zero. Even then, it’s not a standout. The swell is too short-period and the wind is still messy.
The rest of the run into the second week just keeps the same story: persistent westerly winds, onshore or cross-onshore, with moderate to strong swell energy but always described as poor. The swell is mostly from the SSW, but the wind never lets up. The best waves in size come on August 2nd morning (8ft from the west, 7 seconds) but that's a short, wind-driven mess, and at 8ft it's only for experts.
So, honestly, there's no standout day here. The whole forecast is a write-off for surf. The wind is the enemy, and the swell direction is never quite right. When the swell gets big, it’s too short-period, and when the period is long, the wind is on it. A blank run like this happens sometimes – the monsoon pattern just locks in. Keep your eyes on the charts, but for now, maybe take a break or go for a swim.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Sat night. Warm (max 29°C on Thu afternoon, min 26°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 39mm), heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 28°C on Sun morning, min 27°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SSW 12 | S 10 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
145 | 190 | 201 | 217 | 211 | 229 | 345 | 320 | 466 | 469 | 331 | 269 | 265 | 227 | 218 | 188 | 287 | 277 | 400 | 505 | 470 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on |
High Tide | 6:51PM0.33m | 10:19AM0.43m | 10:43PM0.29m | 11:58AM0.45m | 00:38AM0.31m | 12:52PM0.50m | 1:23AM0.36m | 1:30PM0.54m | 1:56AM0.41m | 2:02PM0.59m | 2:26AM0.46m | 2:30PM0.63m | 2:54AM0.50m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:53PM0.31m | 1:41AM0.21m | 7:10PM0.26m | 4:00AM0.23m | 7:30PM0.21m | 5:58AM0.21m | 7:52PM0.16m | 6:52AM0.17m | 8:13PM0.12m | 7:30AM0.13m | 8:33PM0.09m | 8:02AM0.11m | 8:55PM0.06m | ||||||||
6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
— | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 13 |
Temp °C | 28 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 31 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 10 | WNW 9 | S 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 |
106 | 190 | 99 | 106 | 163 | 218 | 345 | 320 | 466 | 469 | 328 | 265 | 231 | 227 | 218 | 176 | 163 | 163 | 400 | 293 | 312 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | W 9 | S 9 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | WNW 10 | SSW 13 | WNW 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 16 | SSE 10 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 |
145 | 81 | 106 | 217 | 211 | 229 | 290 | 253 | 394 | 246 | 331 | 198 | 196 | 167 | 170 | 167 | 141 | 277 | 175 | 505 | 470 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SSW 12 | WNW 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SE 10 | WNW 10 | SE 10 | WNW 9 |
85 | 79 | 201 | 50 | 34 | 41 | 75 | 114 | 118 | 131 | 195 | 269 | 265 | 169 | 164 | 188 | 287 | 120 | 125 | 120 | 115 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | WNW 5 | W 5 | W 5 | WNW 5 | W 5 | W 6 | W 5 | WSW 5 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | W 6 | W 10 | W 6 |
12 | 17 | 8 | 18 | 22 | 28 | 39 | 37 | 35 | 25 | 43 | 42 | 53 | 61 | 87 | 87 | 91 | 109 | 109 | 417 | 146 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 738 | 739 | 24 | 646 | 739 | 58 | 738 | 738 | 338 | 646 | 739 | 211 | 210 | 738 | 738 | 646 | 738 | 211 | 210 | 859 | 211 |
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.










