Summary
Arugam Bay is an absolute “must-visit” on a surf trip to Sri Lanka. This world-class surf town is a bit more remote than Hikkaduwa, Weligama and Ahangama, which will help you escape some of the crowds as well as find yourself in a charming countryside atmosphere. Arugam Bay will seduce you by the quality of its waves but also with the wildlife that surrounds it. With a bit of luck, you might also spot some wild elephants on the way!
Arugam Bay is located on the east side of Sri Lanka, quite far away from Colombo and other tourist attractions. Therefore, everyone who makes the journey here share one precious thing, the love of surfing. Not only is the surf exceptional in Arugam Bay, the scenery is absolutely stunning.
The famous point breaks of Arugam Bay
In Arugam Bay, you will find amazing point breaks that are absolutely perfect for surfers of all levels. Whiskey Point and Peanut Farm are two great surf spots just outside of Arugam Bay where waves are never too heavy which make it a fun and safe environment. If the main point of Arugam Bay breaks on a reef, some other breaks in the area have sandy bottoms which are more forgiving.
To find the best surfing destination for you, try our WaveFinder search engine!
Being very close to Yala National Park and Lahugala Sanctuary, you will be exposed to an incredible amount of birds and animals. Arugam Bay is the perfect mix between culture and great outdoors to please any type of surfers. It is fairly more expensive than its northern neighbor, India, but remains fairly cheap place to catch some waves.
When to go
The best time to surf Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka is from May to September when trade winds turn offshore and swells start pushing in from the Indian Ocean. During the off-season, Arugam Bay gets really quiet but remains a nice place to visit even if surfing isn’t your main purpose.
January-February March-April May-June July-August September-October November-December
Suitable for: All surfers All surfers All surfers All surfers All surfers All surfers
Air temperature 26 °C
79°F27 °C
81°F28 °C
82°F29 °C
84°F28 °C
82°F27 °C
82°F
Water temperature 28 °C
82°F29 °C
84°F29 °C
84°F28 °C
82°F28 °C
82°F28 °C
82°F
Crowd Empty Few people Fairly crowded Fairly crowded Fairly crowded Empty
Swell Consistency 15% 75% 85% 90% 90% 45%
Swell height 4 ft 4 ft 6 ft 6 ft 5 ft 5 ft
Also read: Our complete surfing guide to south Sri Lanka!
Where to stay in Arugam Bay
Browse our interactive map to find the best accommodation deals in Arugam Bay!
Arugam Bay has a nice range of accommodation for all types of budget. You can find higher end resorts and smaller homestays.
Best Surf Hotels in Arugam Bay
Surf Camps in Arugam Bay
Find a surf camp in Arugam Bay, starting at US$176
11-day Lively Surf Camp in Arugam Bay
US$840, including:
- 9 surfing lessons
- Morning surf coaching
- 2 pampering massage sessions
- 10 nights’ accommodation
- Surfing equipment
- Daily breakfast
10-day Beginner Surf and Yoga in Arugam Bay
US$1,800, including:
- 10 basic yoga class
- Free use surf boards
- Unlimited surf theory lessons
- 10 surf lessons and surf tours
- Elephant safari trail and Arugam Bay lagoon tour
- Sri Lankan cookery class
- 9 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast
Surf Spots in Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay
The main surf spot in Arugam Bay is located right in front of the main street. A soft and long peeling right-hander that is best surfed on a board with a certain volume. It is easily accessible and will catch most of the south-east swells. Be careful for the reef which can get shallow on the lower tide.
Wave direction : Right
Bottom : Reef
Best tide : Any
Skill level : Any
Optimal swell direction : SE
Optimal wind direction : W
Peanut Farm
With a very similar setup than Whiskey Point, Peanut Farm is a mellow right-hand point break located 10-15 minutes away from Arugam Bay. Beginners and advanced will find a nice wave that is easy to read breaking over sand and flat rocks.
Wave direction : Right
Bottom : Sand with rocks
Best tide : Any
Skill level : Any
Optimal swell direction : SE
Optimal wind direction : W
Whiskey Point
Just a bit further up the coast from Arugam Bay, after a town called Pottuvil is this pristine beach, home of Whiskey Point. This wave is another right-hand point break that catches most of the SE swell and breaks on a safer bottom than Arugam Bay.
Wave direction : Right
Bottom : Sand with rocks
Best tide : Any
Skill level : Any
Optimal swell direction : SE
Optimal wind direction : W
Elephant Rock
Another classic sandy point break is Elephant Rock which will catch most of the SE swell and is perfectly suitable for beginners and intermediate surfers.
Wave direction : Right
Bottom : Sand with rocks
Best tide : Any
Skill level : Any
Optimal swell direction : SE
Optimal wind direction : W
Getting there
The best way to get to Arugam Bay is to fly into Colombo and take a taxi (more expensive), bus or train that will take you all the way to the east side. If you want to break up the journey, make sure to make a stop in Kandy to get a cultural taste of Sri Lanka or in Ella for a little retreat in the Sri Lankan mountains. You will most definitely enjoy the cooler temperatures offered by the mountains to give you a break from the heavy city heat.
Safety/things to know
Sri Lanka remains a pretty safe place to travel to especially once you have made your way to the smaller towns. Try to avoid spending too much time in Colombo as it holds a bit more tensions than the rest of the country. Visit the Sri Lankan government website for more information.