Arugam Bay is located on the east coast of Sri Lanka. Arugam Bay has pristine beaches, but the allure of Arugam Bay is its surfing spots. Widely known point breaks in Arugam Bay include Main Point, Potuvil Point, Whiskey Point, Elephant Point, and Peanut Farm. Arugam Bay is listed among the top 10 surfing destinations in the world. In the coastal strip, you’ll witness scattered fishing huts and boats as Arugam Bay is a fishing village. A beautiful view the visitors get to see often is colorful fishing boats far away in the sea that appear like dots. This jewel offers you a multifaceted package with its best conditions for surfing, crimson sunsets, clean white sandy beaches, beachfront guest houses, hotels, beach parties, and cuisine with a vibrant tapestry of flavors, so a visit to Arugam Bay will turn out to be a sensory feast.
There’s a host of activities to do in Arugam Bay. Unquestionably surfing is what Arugam Bay is famous for. It’s a must-visit for surf enthusiasts. June to August is the high season at Arugam Bay. There are instructors to give surfing lessons, so beginners too can learn surfing and intermediates can improve their surf skills. Baby Point is suitable for beginners. The Main Point is recommended for intermediates to advanced surfers.
Apart from surfing, you can enjoy sandy, tropical, picturesque beaches. You can sunbathe, have a dip in the ocean, and chill all day.
Arugam Bay is a wonderful place to enjoy sunrise and sunset. The perfect place to see a beautiful view of the whole area is Elephant Rock. Elephant Rock is located at the end of Elephant Point.
Another popular activity is going on lagoon safaris which will allow you to experience the beauty of nature. Pottuvil, kottukal, urani are some of the lagoons. A variety of wildlife such as crocodiles, elephants, water monitors, and freshwater snakes domicile here.
Kudumbigala monastery is nestled amid a jungle. It’s a 45-minute drive from Arugam Bay. This monastic complex was built in 246 BC, during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa. There’s a mountain peak in the monastery. When you reach the peak, you’ll witness a striking view of the coastline and verdant environs. Also, there are a great many caves and trails around which you can traverse.
Muhudu Maha Viharaya, located in the dunes of Pottuvil is whitey and serene. This temple can be spotted from Arugam Bay. It’s worth visiting this temple which was built almost 2000 years ago.
Kumana National Park is situated 34.1 km away from Arugam Bay. It’s well known for its different species of large bird populations. Kumana is a stopover for migrating birds. Other mammals like elephants, leopards, and water buffaloes can also be spotted. Another good place for sightseeing is the area around Panama Tank. It’s a 15-20-minute ride from Arugam Bay.
Foodies can find nice places to eat as there are many trendy places in Arugam Bay. A wide array of foods including Sri Lankan food, fusion cuisine, seafood, and even vegan foods are available. Arugam Bay is a place for thrilling parties so the visitors can have a whale of a time. Weekly beach parties at Manbos and Friday nights at Whiskey Point are considered top beach parties.
You’ll notice that there are dozens of yoga places. Attending them will be great to relax and get exercise.
So Arugam Bay is irrefutably a treasure trove of unique experiences.
Info- Arugam Bay has many hotels that are comfortable, welcoming, and convenient. Jetwing Arugam Bay is a luxurious and eco-friendly hotel located facing the coastline. Twenty cabanas in Jetwing are commodious, cozy, and private. The open-air bathrooms will make you feel close to nature. Also, you’ll get to enjoy outstanding cuisine. There are super awesome hotels for budget travelers as well. You can choose a hotel by comparing the prices of the different hotels.
Note: If you travel to Arugam Bay from Ella
The direct drive from Ella to Arugam Bay is 131km. You can choose the vehicle of your preference. Taking a private taxi/private van would be the most convenient mode, yet more expensive compared to other modes of transportation. Local private buses will be cheap, but a bit challenging as no direct buses are running between Ella and Arugam Bay. And it’s more time-consuming. There is a direct AC bus that departs daily from Maradana Zahira College (opposite Maradana Train Station) at 8 pm and arrives at Pottuvil Bus Station at around 3:45 am.
