East coast

Arugam Bay

A relaxed east-coast surf town, with long right-hand point breaks from about May to September, lagoons and the edge of Kumana National Park.

Plan a trip with Arugam Bay

Time to spend: 3 nights
Best months: May to September.
Getting around: Tuk-tuks and scooters. The nearest airport is far away, so plan on a long drive in and out.
Good to know: The drive back to Colombo is six to eight hours. Most itineraries put Arugam Bay before the hill country or south coast, not at the end.

Arugam Bay is a fishing village that became Sri Lanka's best-known surf destination. The main break, at the point south of the bay, is a long right-hander for experienced surfers; Whisky Point, Peanut Farm and Elephant Rock nearby suit other levels.

The season follows the south-west monsoon. From about May to September the winds blow offshore here and the east coast is dry, so Arugam Bay is busy while the south coast is wet. From November to February it is quiet, and many places close.

Away from the waves, you can take a boat on Pottuvil lagoon, visit the coastal ruins of Muhudu Maha Viharaya, or head south to the wetlands and birdlife of Kumana National Park.

What to see and do

Arugam Point surf break
Open in Maps
The main right-hand point break, best for intermediate and experienced surfers; watch from the rocks at sunset if you do not surf.
3 hr · MorningFree entry
Board hire and lessons are extra.
Whisky Point
Open in Maps
A gentler break and sandy beach north of Pottuvil, popular with beginners and surf schools.
3 hr · MorningFree entry
Kumana National Park
Open in Maps
A wild, less-visited park adjoining Yala, famous for nesting waterbirds in its mangrove swamp from about May to July.
5 hr · MorningLKR 12,000 to LKR 25,000to confirm
Per person estimate for park fees plus a share of a jeep.
Pottuvil lagoon boat trip
Open in Maps
A slow boat through mangroves looking for birds, crocodiles and, sometimes, elephants at the water's edge.
2 hr 30 min · MorningLKR 4,000 to LKR 8,000estimate
Per person
Muhudu Maha Viharaya
Open in Maps
Ancient Buddhist ruins among the dunes by the sea at Pottuvil.
45 min · AfternoonFree entryCover shoulders and knees

Photos

Evening over the Heda Oya river near Arugam Bay

The beach and point at Arugam Bay seen from the south

When to go

January: Avoid
February: Poor
March: Poor
April: Good
May: Best
June: Best
July: Best
August: Best
September: Best
October: Good
November: Poor
December: Avoid

BestGoodPoor

The surf season runs from about May to September. The north-east monsoon brings rain from November to February, when many guesthouses close.

Where it is

Driving times from here

Ella	3 hr 30 min (allow 4 hr 30 min)
Tissamaharama	3 hr 45 min (allow 4 hr 30 min)
Haputale	3 hr 45 min (allow 4 hr 45 min)
Pasikudah	4 hr (allow 4 hr 45 min)
Udawalawe	4 hr 45 min (allow 5 hr 45 min)
Tangalle	5 hr (allow 6 hr)
Hiriketiya	5 hr 15 min (allow 6 hr 15 min)
Polonnaruwa	5 hr 15 min (allow 6 hr 15 min)
Ratnapura	5 hr 30 min (allow 7 hr)
Kandy	5 hr 45 min (allow 7 hr)
Mirissa	5 hr 45 min (allow 7 hr)
Weligama	5 hr 45 min (allow 7 hr)
Nuwara Eliya	6 hr (allow 7 hr 45 min)
Galle	6 hr (allow 7 hr 15 min)
Ahangama	6 hr (allow 7 hr 15 min)
Thalpe	6 hr (allow 7 hr 15 min)
Unawatuna	6 hr (allow 7 hr 15 min)
Adam's Peak (Sri Pada)	6 hr 15 min (allow 7 hr 45 min)
Knuckles Range	6 hr 15 min (allow 7 hr 45 min)
Sigiriya	6 hr 45 min (allow 8 hr)
Trincomalee	6 hr 45 min (allow 8 hr)
Colombo	7 hr 30 min (allow 9 hr)
Airport (CMB)	8 hr 15 min (allow 10 hr)

Car times from OpenStreetMap routing, adjusted for road conditions.

Arugam Bay

What to see and do

Arugam Point surf break

Whisky Point

Kumana National Park

Pottuvil lagoon boat trip

Muhudu Maha Viharaya

Photos