Being an island with prime spots for surfing, Sri Lanka attracts a large number of surf lovers. Among all the surfing spots in the country, Arugam Bay is called the Surfing Capital of Sri Lanka. It is the most popular surf paradise not only on the East Coast but also on the whole island. This stunning beach is quite popular among tourists who like to enjoy a fun-filled beach holiday in Sri Lanka.
Arugam Bay is the most beautiful beach on the eastern coast due to the miles-long golden sandy shoreline and farm-fringed coast. Particularly, the shallowness of the sea makes it different from the rest of the beaches on the island. Thus, Arugam Bay has become a tourist hotspot attracting visitors from all corners of the world. You can enjoy many activities including sea bathing, snorkeling, diving, whale watching, and many more things on this lovely beach.
How to reach Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay is located about 350 km from Colombo city. If you like to use public transportation, there are direct buses bound to Pottuvil from Colombo. Arugam Bay is located only 5 km away from Pottuvil. But you need to remember this is a hard journey, which takes a long time.
If you intend to use the train, there aren’t direct trains to Arugam Bay. The best method is to reach the tourist paradise of Ella town first by train. With Ella as your stopover, you’ll have a much easier journey to Arugam Bay. In this way, you can travel leisurely without feeling exhausted during this long journey.
The most convenient way to travel from Colombo to Arugam Bay is using a taxi. But this is the most expensive method, which may cost around 150 USD per vehicle.
Best time to visit Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay is a seasonal tourist hotspot and it becomes one of the best surfing spots in the world during the months from May to September. During this period, there is a favorable climate with warm weather and least rainfall. The water temperature is just perfect, around 28C˚. Thus, the best time to go there is May to September when the waves are at their finest.
During the rest of the year, there is a quiet atmosphere around Arugam Bay. Especially from December to February is the rainy season and Arugam Bay becomes almost deserted. During this period, the sea becomes highly unfavorable due to the underwater currents, rough swells, as well as extremely windy and rainy climates.
During this low season, the torrential rain with heavy wind restricts surfing. But you can visit there to enjoy nature sights all for yourself without crowds of tourists. Especially, you can book your accommodation for an almost cheaper price compared to the high season.
Now we are going to show you all the wonderful things to do around the lovely beach of Arugam Bay.
1. Surfing
If you are looking for a superior surfing experience in Sri Lanka, Arugam Bay gives the perfect beach vibes. During the surfing season, it is a common site to see hundreds of surfers balancing themselves on the rolling waves in Arugam Bay. With its warm waters and consistent waves, the main beach is ideal for experienced surfers to enjoy the waves.
Arugam Bay is a surfer’s paradise that caters to all skill levels. Whether you’re a newbie or a pro, this fabulous beach offers waves to suit every level. Arugam Bay offers a steady supply of swells, making sure your surfing experience is nothing short of amazing than anywhere in Sri Lanka.
Above all, Arugam Bay is famous for its friendly atmosphere towards tourists. The local surf community is well known for their warmth and hospitality. You’ll find fellow surfers and locals always ready to share tips and stories. Moreover, there are plenty of surf schools and rental shops along the coast that offer lessons and gear, ensuring you have a safe and enjoyable experience.
2. Whiskey Point
Whiskey Point is a quite popular surfing spot located about 14 km away from the main beach of Arugam Bay. If you are a beginner for surfing, this is the best place to go. Here, the waves are much gentler than the main point of Arugam Bay. Thus, it gives a great opportunity to learn this interesting sport and the surfing experience that travelers can get here is excellent.
3. Peanut Farm Beach
Peanut Farm Beach is located around 7 km south of Arugam Bay. There was actually a Peanut Farm before the 2004 Tsunami hit this area. Currently, it is one of the least crowded, but stunningly beautiful beaches on the eastern coast. Although this is mostly a deserted beach, it becomes alive during the surfing season from June to September.
Peanut Farm is a long sandy beach dotted with some huge boulders at the water’s edge, making this place a favorite with surfing veterans. Other than surfing, there are plenty of places where you can surf, swim and chill.
The beach is famous for tree swings and a wild elephant. This elephant is a well-known resident who does his rounds around the area. Sometimes he pays a visit to the Peanut Farm Beach to take a look at the surfers.
6. Pottuvil Point
Pottuvil Point is located 14 km north of Arugam Bay. It is famous among surfers around the world who dream of tropical warm waves. It is a long stretch of golden sand where you can sunbathe and relax while looking out over the blue ocean. There are rocky formations towards the point itself, and the long sandy beach is wonderful for walking and watching sunsets.
Although surfing is the primary draw to this spot, this is a place with amazing scenic beauty. Behind the beach is the beautiful Pottuvil Lagoon where you can take a boat ride safari. This area of wetlands and mangroves is home to a variety of wildlife including birds, elephants, crocodiles, water buffalo, and many more.
7. Panama Beach
Panama Beach is situated around 16 km south of Arugam Bay. It is a spectacular beach that shouldn’t be missed by anyone who visits the eastern coast of Sri Lanka. It is surrounded by lush green jungles with amazing wildlife and natural scenic beauty,
Panama Beach is an isolated strip of beach that offers an unusual experience for surf lovers. The waves of this beach are just the best fit for surfing as they are not as harsh as on the other beaches.
8. Elephant Rock
Elephant Rock is a small outcrop that offers some fantastic panoramic views. Located only 4 km away from Arugam Bay, Elephant Rock is an extremely popular surf spot for beginners. It is named after the rock’s resemblance to an elephant. There is a beautiful golden strip of unspoiled beach and it is almost empty apart from a few fishermen.
At the rear end of Elephant Rock, there is a lovely lagoon with dark murky waters, flanked by a small mangrove forest. When the tide is high you have to wade through this lagoon to get to the beach. Sometimes the sea floods in the lagoon and submerges the sandbank joining the two.
9. Crocodile Rock
Just a few hundred meters south from the Arugam Bay, lies the slightly more elusive Crocodile Rock. As the name suggested, Crocodile Rock is a rocky outcrop that has the shape of a crocodile. This also serves as a great surf escape similar to Elephant Rock which is famous as an amazing surf spot.
Although this area has perfect waves for surfing, it isn’t as crowded as the more frequented spots in Arugam Bay. The wilderness tied to this beach makes it a less popular surfing spot. Crocodiles are abundant in this area and there is a very high chance of spotting crocodiles.
Several years before, a tourist was attacked by a crocodile in this spot. Thus, you need to be extremely careful of these deadly crocodiles. Warning signs are also set up to educate visitors about crocodile attacks.
10. Annual Surfing competition
Sri Lanka hosts exciting surfing competitions that bring together local and international surfers. The annual surfing contest in Arugam Bay is the most popular international surfing contest in Sri Lanka. A large number of surfers are gathering at Arugam Bay for this competition.
This contest is one of the most popular annual events in the surfing world. Top-ranked surfers from all parts of the world participate in this competition. Arugam Bay surfing contest is visited by thousands of audiences from all around the world.
The Arugam Bay Surfing Competition 2023 will be taking place on the 28th, 29th & 30th of September 2023. All surfing enthusiasts are welcome to this grand event.!
Accommodation in Arugam Bay
Since Arugam Bay is the surfing capital of Sri Lanka, there is a wide range of accommodation and dining options available. A large number of new hotels including luxurious, mid-range, and budget hotels available in the area around Arugam Bay. Thus, you may not face any difficulty in finding a nice place for your accommodation.
Particularly, luxury travelers can select the renowned hotel Jetwing Surf in Pottuvil. There are 20 Cabana-style rooms complete with all amenities to give the best facilities for your comfortable stay. Certainly, Jetwing Surf is a prime example of luxurious eco-tourism in Sri Lanka.
To sum up, Arugam Bay will give you a superior surfing experience and a relaxing beach holiday filled with fun and rest. Whether you’re a beginner wanting to catch your first wave or a seasoned rider seeking new challenges, Arugam Bay offers an unbeatable blend of thrilling, adventurous experiences. If you aren’t into surfing, still you can discover the beauty of this lovely beach. Welcome to Arugam Bay surfing capital of Sri Lanka.
Text by Magnificent Sri Lanka. Images from Wikimedia Commons, Facebook and Twitter. All the copyrights are reserved by the original authors.
