Overview
Matara Beach is a wide, open beachbreak that gathers plenty of swell, with a Buddhist temple sitting on an islet just offshore. The peaks break over sand and throw up both lefts and rights. The eastern bays toward Meddawatta hold the best of it, with a range of decent peaks to pick from. Over to the west of town, a couple of lesser-known reefs lurk, including a fairly hollow left.
When It Works
The beach draws swell from south through southwest, with southwest swell the best match. It works from 0.3 m / 1 ft to 1.5 m / 5 ft and is moderately consistent. This whole stretch of coast between Dondra and Tangalla tends to need a solid dose of swell before the banks and occasional reefs really switch on.
Wind and Tide
Look for north offshore wind, which lines up nicely with the north-quadrant winds this coast prefers. It runs on low and mid tide, with a rising tide generally the better call, and the eastern peaks stay on offer at all but high tide.
Local Tips
This one suits intermediate surfers, and the lineup stays fairly quiet when it's working.
Access
The eastern bays toward Meddawatta have some good guesthouses if you want to base yourself close to the better peaks.
