The best place for a surfing beach holiday with family

I'M PLANNING A FAMILY HOLIDAY WITH MY HUSBAND, THREE ADULT CHILDREN AND ANOTHER FAMILY, LOOKING FOR A BEACH HOLIDAY, LOVE SURFING. SUGGESTIONS FOR TWO WEEKS JUNE/JULY? H. WILLIAMS, BENTLEIGH, VIC

East coast Sri Lanka might fit the bill. Mid-year is the dry season in this part of the country and Arugam Bay is the No. 1 surf spot on the east coast. The wave breaks over reef, a long right-hand point break with several different sections, and it attracts a diverse crowd of board riders from all over the world. There are also yoga classes, a lively party scene and plenty of cheap dining options to go along with the chilled vibe. To the south, Kumana National Park has wild elephant. Add something special to your holiday with a few days in Galle, a time-warped town on the south-west coast still pungent with memories of the time when the sahibs drank pink gins on the verandah of the Grand Hotel. Pedlar Street is cafe central, lined with shabby chic diners and bars and salted with antique shops, jewellers and gelaterias, made for browsing.