Arugam Bay, a moon-shaped curl of soft sand, is home to a famed point break that many regards as the best surfing spot in the country. It is a vibrant town, famed around the world for its exhilarating surfing opportunities, located on the Indian Ocean in the dry zone of the south-east coast of Sri Lanka. The bay is located 117 kilometers south of Batticaloa, 320 kilometers due east of Colombo, and approximately 4 kilometers south of the market town of Pottuvil.
It’s a tiny place, with a population of a few hundred, and everything is dotted along a single road which parallels the coast. The Arugam Bay Beach is a wide sweeping sandy beach in front of the village of Arugam Bay and is an attraction for surfing and swimming all year-round. The Beach consists of a coral reef which is home to an abundance of tropical fish and is a delightful snorkeling paradise.
The main settlement in Arugam Bay in Sri Lanka, known locally as Ullae, is predominantly Muslim however there is a significant Sri Lankan Tamil and Sinhala population to the south of the village, as well as a number of international migrants, largely from Europe and Australia. While traditionally fishing has dominated the local economy, a tourist attraction of Arugam Bay has grown rapidly in the area in recent years. Tourism in Arugam Bay is dominated by surf tourism, thanks to several quality breaks in the area, however, tourists’ attraction is increased by the local beaches, lagoons, historic temples, and the nearby Kumana National Park.
Attractions in Arugam Bay
The beauty of Arugam Bay stroll along the spectacular beaches which are perfect just to chill at all day. Take a dip in the ocean, play some beach volleyball, or just work on your tan. But the beach isn’t the only attraction at Arugam Bay. The village of Arugam Bay brings about the loveliest sceneries that span over mangrove, jungle, lagoon, river, rice fields and sand dunes. Within such a varied landscape is a pair of National Wildlife Parks that are home to mammals including elephants and also myriads of birdlife. Moreover, the historical and archaeological sites in the area reveal the history of the area with its stone inscriptions and longstanding ruins.
You will be able to see elephants grazing on the shores of the tank in Lahugalla National Park, and if you head further afield to Kumana National Park, you may be lucky enough to see leopards sleeping on a granite outcrop or a sloth bear feasting on the fallen red berries of a weera tree.
There are a handful of stunning secluded beaches to hunt out from the bay at Okanda, where you can also visit the colorful Hindu kovil (currently the resting place for pilgrims on their way to Kataragama), to Peanut Farm and the beach at Whisky Point. And don’t forget to head towards the sacred Buddhist temples in this area Mudu Maha Vihara and Magul Maha Vihara, most fascinating temples around the area.
Things to do in Arugam Bay
Try to go surfing
Arugam Bay is one of the world’s top surfing destinations, so if you go all the way out there and don’t at least try to go surfing, then you’ve made a huge mistake. The beach is renowned for its fantastic waves, which helps to increase the number of surf lovers and people attraction of Arugam Bay from all over the world. Although you can surf here all year round, the most favored season is from April to October with the average height of waves being 1.5 to 2.5 meters.
During the season the wind is predominantly offshore. Main surfing spots in Arugam Bay are Pottuvil point, Main Break, and Crocodile Rock. Arugam Point, along with right-hand break close to Arugam Bay, which has (on a good day) 2m waves and a 400m ride. Pottuvil Point is a bit smaller than Arugam Point, breaks off a long sandy beach. South of Arugam Bay is another surfing point. Crocodile Rock is a fine spot for beginners and intermediate surfers whenever there’s a sufficient swell.
Yoga classes in Arugam Bay
When you reach there you will feel that surfing destinations always seem like yoga destinations as well, and Arugam Bay is no exception. When you’re walking up and down the main street, you’ll see that there are tons of Yoga place. It’s a great way to start the day, get some exercise and relax a bit.
The restaurants of Arugam Bay offers a fine selection of specialties and dishes from around the world and you can also enjoy a range of local drinks. From beachfront cabanas to tree houses, there are plenty of accommodation units that you can reach from here. With the combination of great facilities and fascinating Sri Lankan hospitality, you will surely be able to spend worthy nights by having so much fun around here.
