Just imagine empty line-ups, 1–2 metre waves rolling in, and a light, consistent breeze—perfect for a 5m² wing. Sounds like a dream? That’s the daily rhythm Joachim Bertelsen and Therese Taabbel scored on Sri Lanka’s south coast! What started as a quick trip turned into five weeks of wingfoiling bliss, great food, and laid-back vibes. Sri Lanka, you’ve got their hearts!

Empty line-ups, 1–2 metre waves rolling in, and a light, consistent breeze—perfect for a 5m² wing. Sounds like a dream? Welcome to the south coast of Sri Lanka. Specifically, the town of Ahangama has become a haven for surfers seeking a balance between adventure and tranquillity, with its mix of reef and point breaks offering clean waves for all levels. But for wingfoilers, it remains a largely untapped paradise.

At the beginning of February, we boarded a 15-hour flight from Denmark, with a stopover in Doha, to Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo. Our adventure began further north in Kalpitiya—a well-known kitesurfing destination. Kalpitiya is famous for its big lagoon, which is perfect for beginner wingfoilers thanks to its reliable winds, gentle rollers, and flat-water sections. While the waves here are smaller, it’s an excellent spot for learning and progression. As Therese is a professional kitesurfer and Kalpitiya has ideal freestyle conditions, we spent three weeks training there. But we knew the real waves were waiting further south.

After Kalpitiya, we packed up a van and drove to our favourite surf town—Ahangama. We had scoured Google Maps and heard whispers about afternoon winds, though Windguru made us doubt we’d get much wind at all. We were wrong. What was meant to be a brief visit turned into a five-week stay. We found it: perfect waves and wind.

Our daily routine quickly fell into place. Mornings started calmly, with clean waves ideal for surfing. By noon, the breeze would begin to build, reaching solid wingfoiling conditions by 1 p.m. and holding until around 4 p.m. Most days followed this pattern thanks to reliable thermal winds. While Windguru often underforecasted wind strength, it was great for predicting direction, which helped confirm whether the thermal would kick in.

We mostly rode two main spots: Marshmallow and Lazy Right. Marshmallow is one of the more popular surf spots in the south, but when the wind picks up, surfers clear out, and you get the place to yourself. Entry is easy from the beach in front of Popeye Beach Café, and within 2–3 metres, the water is deep enough to foil. The waves range from mellow and manageable to bigger sets with closing sections, but in between, we scored long, clean A-frames. Crashes weren’t stressful, either; you’re only 50–100 metres from shore and still in deep water. Best of all, it works in both east and west winds.

Lazy Right, located in Midigama, features a bay with both left- and right-handers. The right side is slightly deeper and more open to the wind. To access it, you head to the far right of the bay where the sand ends. There’s no heavy shore break, and the water is deep enough to foil within a few metres. This spot also works for both east and west winds.

On bigger swell days, Marshmallow is easier to access and less intimidating. Both spots offer deep-water entries and A-frame waves ideal for foiling. The water is crystal clear, dotted with coral and turtles, adding a magical touch to every session! Most afternoons, we used our 5m² or 6m² wings, which gave us all the power we needed. Mornings were crowded with surfers, but as the wind picked up, they cleared out, leaving us with empty perfection. The wind direction—always side-shore—was ideal.

Getting around required some navigation. Traffic in Sri Lanka is famously chaotic, so we rented a scooter for approximately €130 per month. It gave us the freedom to spot-check locations depending on the day’s forecast. For those less confident on two wheels, tuk-tuks are readily available and make a great option after the session. It’s easy to get around quickly and affordably.

The food scene in Ahangama is as rich as its landscapes! Local cuisine in the south features fresh seafood, rice, and intensely flavourful curries. We loved Mermaid, Sunils, and Town House for their authentic rice and curry, served at around €5 per plate. If, like us, you also appreciate a good cup of coffee and a slice of cake, you’ll find plenty of hip cafes. Our favourite was Kaffi—a Scandinavian-owned spot with great vibes.

Ahangama offers more than just ocean action. The town blends laid-back surf energy with local culture and holistic wellness. There are yoga shalas, such as Amber and Ice, as well as saunas and ice baths, live music nights, skate sessions, and even running clubs. There’s a warm and welcoming vibe that makes it easy to settle in. “You feel at home here really quickly,” we agreed.

Despite promising ourselves a day off regularly, we kept going out. “Almost every day we said, ‘Tomorrow we rest,’” Joachim laughs. “But then the conditions looked even better, and we couldn’t resist. We ended up going to bed at 8 p.m., starfished and exhausted.”

Looking back, we’d skip packing 3m² and 4m² wings next time. The wind is generally light, so sticking with larger wings makes more sense. While Sri Lanka may not become a mainstream wingfoil destination due to unpredictable forecasts, the experience is unbeatable. There’s so much to do on non-windy days that you’ll never feel like you’re missing out.

And if you’re thinking about heading somewhere new for a wingfoil adventure, Joachim has some advice: “The most important thing is to check safety, especially depth, and talk to locals. Even surfers can give great insight into currents and hazards. We didn’t see other foilers out, but locals helped us find the perfect spots.”

From surf culture and local flavour to tropical solitude and foil-perfect afternoons, the south coast of Sri Lanka is the next dream destination for adventurous riders. Just be ready—you might not want to leave! 

By Joachim Bertelsen