Great question — Sri Lanka has excellent water-sport hubs spread around the island. Below are top resorts (grouped by region) that are especially good if you want active water-sport holidays, what they’re best for, and the best season to go.

Important: seasons differ by coast — west/south coast (Mirissa, Weligama, Bentota, Hikkaduwa) are best Nov–Apr; east coast (Arugam Bay, Trincomalee) and Kalpitiya (kiting) are best Apr–Sep / May–Oct for peak winds and swell. (thetimes.co.uk)

Kalpitiya — world-class for kitesurfing, flat‑water lagoons and wind sports

• Dolphin Beach Resort (Kalpitiya) — on-site kite school, boat safaris for dolphins/whales, wind‑season guidance; great for beginners through advanced kiters. (dolphinbeach.lk)
• Blue Whale / Blue Whale Boutique Beach Resort — close to the lagoon, offers kite packages, private lagoon for practice and equipment rental. (bluewhaleresort.com)
• Kitelantis / Makara / De Silva Windresort — several specialized kite/wind centres in Kalpitiya with IKO/award‑winning schools, gear rental and kite safaris. (Kalpitiya is the island’s main kiting hub; best months May–Oct/Jun–Aug for peak winds.) (Kitelantis.com)

Arugam Bay (east coast) — top choice for point‑break surfing (long rides)

• Jetwing Surf & Safari (and other beachfront options) — combines comfortable resort facilities with easy access to Main Point, Whiskey/ Baby Point; many surf camps and ISA‑certified schools operate from nearby. Arugam Bay’s surf season is roughly May–Sep. (kateandmikestravels.com)
• Local surf camps / beachfront guesthouses (Upali, Ocean Surf Camp, Peanut Farm / smaller surf camps) — best for surf lessons, daily guiding to multiple local breaks; ideal for beginners through intermediates. (talesofthetropics.com)

South & Southwest coast — surfing, snorkeling, whale watching, diving

• Mirissa / Weligama area (examples: Cape Weligama, beachfront surf camps, boutique hotels) — Mirissa offers whale watching + surf/reef breaks; Weligama is excellent for beginner surf lessons and longboard waves. Best on the south coast is generally Nov–Apr. (havenlanka.com)
• Galle / Hikkaduwa / Bentota — popular for diving, snorkeling over reefs, jet‑skiing, wakeboarding and boat trips; choose beachfront resorts that operate water‑sports centres or can arrange dives/snorkel trips.

Trincomalee / Pigeon Island (northeast) — snorkeling, diving, calm beaches in the right season

• Nilaveli / Uppuveli area resorts — good for diving and snorkeling (Pigeon Island), best May–Sep for east coast clarity. (thetimes.co.uk)

How to pick the best resort for you

• If you want dedicated kitesurfing/windsurfing: choose Kalpitiya (resorts with on‑site kite schools such as Dolphin Beach, Blue Whale, Kitelantis, De Silva). (dolphinbeach.lk)
• If you want long point breaks and surf culture: Arugam Bay surf camps and nearby boutique resorts. (mywavefinder.com)
• If you want a mix (surf + whale watching + snorkeling): base on the south coast (Mirissa / Weligama). (havenlanka.com)

Practical tips

• Book during the local season for your sport (kiting: May–Oct in Kalpitiya; surfing east: May–Sep; surf south/west: Nov–Apr). (dolphinbeach.lk)
• Check that the resort offers certified instructors (IKO for kitesurfing, ISA for surf), equipment rental and insurance policy for water sports. (surfschool-srilanka.com)
• If you need luxury + water-sport access, look for resorts advertising on‑site dive/ kite schools or partnerships with reputable local schools; if you want budget/surf‑camp vibe, small beachfront surf camps/guesthouses in Arugam Bay and Weligama are ideal.

If you want, I can:

• Build a short list (3–5) of specific resorts in one region (e.g., Kalpitiya or Mirissa/Weligama or Arugam Bay) with links, room types and approximate price ranges; or
• Create a 7‑day sample itinerary focused on kitesurfing or surfing.

Which region or sport do you want me to focus on?