✦ Eastern Province
Arugam Bay
A world-known surf bay on the east coast, close to the wildlife of Kumana and Lahugala national parks.
Photo: Dennis Sylvester Hurd / Wikimedia Commons · CC0
Destination guide
About Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay is a small fishing village near Pottuvil on Sri Lanka’s east coast. Its long right-hand point break and several nearby breaks have made it one of the best-known surf destinations in South Asia, with the main season running from about April/May to September/October, when the west and south coasts are rainy.
Beyond the surf, the area has the ancient Muhudu Maha Viharaya at Pottuvil, the elephants of Lahugala Kitulana National Park and the birds and wetlands of Kumana National Park to the south.
Why visit
- One of South Asia’s best-known surf breaks
- East-coast season when the south-west is rainy
- Elephants at Lahugala and birdlife at Kumana
- Relaxed village atmosphere
Things to do in Arugam Bay
- Surf or take lessons at the Main Point or nearby breaks
- Take a safari in Kumana National Park
- Look for elephants around Lahugala
- Visit Muhudu Maha Viharaya on the beach at Pottuvil
Tours that include Arugam Bay
Adventure
Kitulgala–Ella–Arugam Bay
Adventure Sri Lanka 7-Day Tour
The Kelani River churns white beneath the rainforest at Kitulgala, and that is just the warm-up. Raft its rapids, hike to the…
- 7 days / 6 nights
- Kitulgala → Arugam Bay
Beach
Arugam Bay–Pottuvil
Arugam Bay Surf 5-Day Tour
Watch a long right-hander peel off the point at sunset, then paddle out yourself on a gentler break the next morning. On…
- 5 days / 4 nights
- Arugam Bay → Arugam Bay
Where to stay near Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay
Hideaway Resort
A family-run boutique resort a short walk from the beach at Arugam Bay, built around a private house from about 50 years…
Pottuvil
Jetwing Kottukal Beach House
A boutique beachfront hotel from Jetwing on the east coast at Pottuvil, about five minutes from the surf at Arugam Bay.
Pottuvil
Jetwing Surf & Safari
Jetwing calls this an eco-luxury beachfront cabana resort at Pottuvil, a short drive north of Arugam Bay.
Arugam Bay
The Spice Trail Arugam Bay
A boutique hotel on Panama Road in Arugam Bay, a walk from the ocean.
🍛 Local flavours
Food to try in Arugam Bay
- Fresh seafood and grilled fish
- Rotti and kottu
- East-coast curries with coconut
Best time to visit Arugam Bay
- JanPossible, with more rain or heat
- FebPossible, with more rain or heat
- MarPossible, with more rain or heat
- AprPossible, with more rain or heat
- MayUsually the best months
- JunUsually the best months
- JulUsually the best months
- AugUsually the best months
- SepUsually the best months
- OctPossible, with more rain or heat
- NovPossible, with more rain or heat
- DecPossible, with more rain or heat
About May–September (east-coast surf season)
Sri Lanka has two monsoons, so when one coast is rainy the other is usually dry — weather varies from year to year.
Arugam Bay on the map
Destinations near Arugam Bay
References / Sources
- Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau: https://www.srilanka.travel
- Department of Wildlife Conservation Sri Lanka: https://www.dwc.gov.lk
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