Dangling like a teardrop into the swells of the Indian Ocean, the island is becoming a magnet for beginner, intermediate and expert surfers alike, offering up beach breaks, reef breaks and point breaks around its southern sweep. November to April brings morning offshore winds to the south and west, centred around Hikkadua, where beach and reefs dominate. May to October brings the same conditions to the east, where you’ll find Sri Lanka’s surfing capital, Arugam Bay. Crowds can be a problem at both of these hubs, so head south and southwest for a clearer line-up. Here are five of the island’s more clandestine surfy highlights.