
Surf Forecasts:
Main Reef (Hikkaduwa) surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 4 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 17s period, SW swell with 711 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Main Reef (Hikkaduwa) this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Main Reef (Hikkaduwa) in the next 16 days are 1.1m 17s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 9s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 02) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (+0530) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Tue 4th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Main Reef (Hikkaduwa) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for the Hikkaduwa area.
Mate, I gotta be straight with you – the next 16 days are a write-off. There is not a single session in the whole forecast that I can recommend. The conditions are consistently poor, with onshore winds and a constant threat of thunderstorms messing things up. The only break on the radar is Main Reef (Hikkaduwa), and it's a tough one to call good.
Right now, and for the entire first week, forget it. We've got onshore and cross-onshore winds from the W and WSW, blowing at 12 to 19 mph. The swell is a mix of small, short-period windswell and some longer-period groundswell, but the wind just ruins any chance of a clean face. The combined wave energy is moderate to strong, but it's all messy, choppy, and lumpy. The swell direction is mostly SW, which is the optimum for the reef, but the wind is completely wrong.
As we move into the second week, from the 4th of August onwards, the swell energy actually gets bigger – we're seeing combined energy values in the strong range. The swell heights are also building, with 7 ft surf on the 10th of August morning. But the catch is still the wind. It's onshore from the W at 15 to 19 mph, and the "risk tstorm" label is a constant companion. The waves are just too blown out and messy for any decent surfing.
The only real standout, and I'm struggling to call it that, is the period of the swell itself. We get some very long-period groundswell (20 seconds) on the 5th of August, and again on the 9th and 10th. That's a strong, powerful swell, but with the constant onshore wind, it's going to be a washing machine. For a reef break like Main Reef, a long period from the SW is the dream, but not with this wind.
So, the bottom line is: there's no surf for you here. The forecast is a solid block of poor conditions. The wind direction is just relentless and it's scuppering every bit of swell that comes through. It's a tough one, but a blank run like this is just part of the deal sometimes. The forecast can change, but right now, you're better off finding something else to do.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 51mm), heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 28°C on Tue morning, min 27°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 70mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 28°C on Sat morning, min 26°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 15 | W 9 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | WSW 7 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 8 | W 8 | WSW 8 | SSW 17 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
166 | 100 | 226 | 287 | 222 | 315 | 299 | 379 | 370 | 366 | 365 | 341 | 370 | 653 | 560 | 470 | 531 | 520 | 360 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on |
High Tide | 1:58AM0.43m | 2:02PM0.61m | 2:26AM0.47m | 2:29PM0.64m | 2:53AM0.51m | 2:55PM0.66m | 3:20AM0.54m | 3:20PM0.66m | 3:47AM0.57m | 3:45PM0.65m | 4:15AM0.59m | 4:10PM0.62m | 4:45AM0.60m | ||||||
Low Tide | 7:34AM0.15m | 8:35PM0.10m | 8:07AM0.12m | 8:58PM0.07m | 8:38AM0.10m | 9:20PM0.04m | 9:08AM0.08m | 9:43PM0.02m | 9:38AM0.08m | 10:06PM0.01m | 10:08AM0.09m | 10:29PM0.01m | |||||||
— | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — | |
mm | 14 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 14 | 9 | 7 | 16 |
Temp °C | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
Feels °C | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | SSW 5 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | W 10 |
92 | 20 | 226 | 248 | 214 | 208 | 180 | 379 | 370 | 366 | 361 | 276 | 370 | 653 | 560 | 429 | 412 | 346 | 148 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | W 10 | SW 11 | SSW 5 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 13 | W 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 18 | SW 14 | SSW 6 | S 10 | S 9 | SE 9 | W 11 | SSW 17 |
149 | 87 | 60 | 21 | 222 | 315 | 299 | 172 | 80 | 123 | 98 | 341 | 206 | 25 | 44 | 41 | 21 | 110 | 360 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSW 12 | SSE 10 | SSW 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | W 9 | SW 13 | SE 10 | SW 20 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SE 9 | SW 11 | SW 18 | SW 13 |
127 | 94 | 33 | 47 | 33 | 19 | 18 | 62 | 162 | 26 | 190 | 50 | 72 | 47 | 48 | 29 | 18 | 112 | 108 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 6 | WSW 6 | W 9 | W 7 | W 6 | W 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | W 7 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 |
166 | 100 | 150 | 287 | 196 | 184 | 206 | 187 | 212 | 293 | 365 | 284 | 247 | 260 | 446 | 470 | 531 | 520 | 300 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 642 | 642 | 747 | 642 | 212 | 858 | 642 | 642 | 956 | 213 | 207 | 212 | 213 | 328 | 213 | 174 | 715 | 212 | 213 |
Best forecast wave conditions in West Sri Lanka | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Sri Lanka | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Information about the Main Reef (Hikkaduwa) Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Main 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 Main Reef (Hikkaduwa) can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Main 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 (Main 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 Main 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.
Main Reef (Hikkaduwa) is 4 km (2 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.










