Nestled on the east coast of Sri Lanka, Arugam Bay is a vibrant coastal town that is known for many things, including its strikingly beautiful palm-lined beaches, bustling surfing scene and laid back atmosphere.
However, since Arugam Bay is situated a little off the traditional Sri Lanka route, this underrated gem is often skipped by travellers and backpackers alike. Despite that, I’m of the firm belief that travelling to Arugam Bay will be worth extra effort.
Arugam Bay sums up much of what makes Sri Lanka so popular – it’s a tropical beach village with loads of interesting highlights nearby; the fascinating Kudumbigala Monastery, scenic Elephant Rock and the adventurous Kumana National Park to name but a few.
Of course, there are many other unbelievable places to explore within Sri Lanka, yet there’s just something magical about this sleepy fishing village on Sri Lanka’s relatively untouched east coast.
In this guide, I’ll cover all the best things to do in Arugam Bay, as well as first-hand advice on where to stay, when to visit and how to get there.
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The New Where the Souls Wander Print Store
After putting out my first-ever print collection in 2022, I decided it was finally time to re-open my print store, and I couldn’t be happier with the result.
Whether you’re looking to grab a unique piece for your own wall, gift one to a loved one to remind them of a memorable trip together, or simply get your hands on a piece because it provokes a specific memory or feeling, I’d be honoured and grateful if you decide to collect or gift one of my prints.
To celebrate the launch, I’m offering a 20% discount until the 24th of December.
Where to stay in Arugam Bay
Since Arugam Bay is one of Sri Lanka’s leading surfing destinations, you’ll have no issue finding yourself good accommodation, with plenty of options to suit all sorts of budget and travel styles.
Whether you’re after a cheap stay in a hostel, a luxurious boutique hotel, or something in between, I’m pretty sure you’ll find something that suits your needs.
To help you sort out your stay, I’ve listed my personal recommendations:
Riva del Sole Guest House | Set within the main street of Arugam Bay, Riva del Sole Guest House is an excellent option for those on a budget. This budget-friendly guest house has spacious rooms with comfortable double beds, air-conditioning and a large private bathroom with a rain shower. Doubles at only €35,- a night make this hotel one of the best options in Arugam Bay.
The Spice Trail | Situated both close to the beach and the main street, The Spice Trail is one of the best picks in Arugam Bay, with stylish double rooms, an outdoor swimming pool and an extensive sun terrace. All bookings come with an excellent breakfast too, which makes it a great value for the money.
Jetwing Surf | If your looking for an absolute splurge, look no further, Jetwing Surf is an excellent luxury resort situated directly at Arugam Bay’s main beach. With its spacious cabana-style rooms, large comfortable beds, and a large swimming pool in a prime location, Jetwing Surf is the number one choice for those after luxury and comfort. Make sure you click the link to see how awesome this place actually is.
Alternatively, search for accommodations in Arugam Bay on booking.com.
8 Incredible things to do in Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka
1. Learn to surf in Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay has rapidly become one of the leading surfing hotspots in Sri Lanka, which makes it the ideal destination for beginners and experienced surfing enthusiasts alike.
As soon as you arrive in Arugam Bay, you’ll notice that it’s teeming with trendy shops, offering all sorts of services related to surfing, including gear rental and surf lessons.
Arugam Bay Beach itself, with its crescent-shaped bay, is ideal for beginners that are keen to learn to ride the waves, while surfing points as Main Point and Elephant Rock offer the perfect challenge for those more experienced.
While there are a few other surfing points dotted around the pristine coastline of Arugam Bay – Baby Point, Pottuvil Point, Peanut Farm, and Whiskey Point, I would highly advise sticking to the main beach, especially if you’re a beginner like me.
In terms of cost, surf lessons will range from 2.000 – 3.500 rupees for 1,5 hours, while board rent ranges from 400 – 800 rupees per day.
2. Admire the incredible views from the Kudumbigala Monastery
Situated about 30 kilometres south of Arugam Bay is the Kudumbigala Monastery, a sacred monastery that rises high above the encircling jungle of Kumana National Park.
First established in 246 BC, the Kudumbigala Monastery served as a sanctuary for Buddhist monks who desired a path to enlightenment above the hustle and bustle of the city.
Although this ancient rock monastery is still very much in use for spiritual practices, it has lately also appeared on the radar of those travelling to Arugam Bay.
Today, locals and travellers alike visit to climb to the top of the highest mountain, where they will discover an ancient stupa, as well as the most spectacular views of the Kumana district.
If you’re looking to visit the Kudumbigala Monastery by yourself, bear in mind that it’s likely to encounter wild animals along the way – so be cautious.
Where | Kudumbigala Monastery
3. Spent a day chilling at Arugam Bay Beach
Since you’ll receive loads of new impressions on a daily basis, one of the best things to do in Arugam Bay is actually quite simple; chilling at one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka.
With its tropical palms, fine golden sand and laidback backpacker atmosphere, Arugam Bay’s main beach has become a favourite among travellers and locals alike.
During my stay in Arugam Bay, I’ve spent plenty of time on the beach, often relaxing with a good book and a fresh king coconut in hand – it was everything I wished for after 2 days of safari in the Yala National Park.
While you can easily lay down your towel on the beach, there are a few excellent beachside bars I recommend checking out; Friends Indeed and Upali Beach Resort.
Both bars have sunbeds for hire and offer excellent snack, food and cocktail options, making both joints excellent for an afternoon of relaxing.
If you like to take a swim, the water on the right-hand side of the beach is significantly calmer, creating an area with little to no surfers in the water – perfect for those after a refreshing dive.
Where | Arugam Bay Beach
4 | WATCH THE SUNSET FROM ELEPHANT ROCK
It should come as no surprise that visiting Elephant Rock at sunset is on this list with things to do in Arugam Bay.
Sunsets in Arugam Bay can be quite spectacular, and there isn’t a better place to see this unfold than from the summit of Elephant Rock, while the surfers catch their last waves of the day.
Since there’s a laidback vibe going on, it has become a spot where both locals and travellers gather, often while enjoying trendy tunes, snacks and a few sundowners.
However, the journey to Elephant Rock brings a few challenges in terms of wildlife.
Upon arrival at Elephant Rock, you’ll notice a lagoon – it is said that crocodiles are still active here, so I highly advise avoiding it at all times, as well as being a tad more cautious.
Fortunately, I noticed that it was pretty easy to get around the lagoon, yet for safety reasons, I’d recommend going with a group just to be sure.
Also, I’d recommend leaving before dawn, since Elephants also occur in this area.
While the above might upset you, I believe it has to be said if you’re thinking of visiting yourself.
Having said that, visiting Elephant Rock is safe (and awesome), just remember that you’re in a country that is known for its wildlife.
THE ESSENTIALS
Where | Elephant Rock
How to get to Elephant Rock | Elephant Rock is around a 20-minute drive away from Arugam Bay.
Cost | Tuk tuk costs range from 800 to 1000 rupees ($4.5 – $5.5) one way.
5 | Join a safari tour to the Kumana National Park
Since Arugam Bay is encircled by wildlife-rich jungles, one of the best things to do here is by joining a safari tour to one of the neighbouring National Parks.
Hidden in the dense jungles is the Kumana National Park, a relatively unknown national park situated only a stone’s throw away from Arugam Bay.
Also known as Yala East, the Kumana National park is slowly becoming one of the more popular eco-tourism attractions in Sri Lanka, with significantly fewer visitors than its better-known brother; the Yala National Park.
While the density of animals is slightly lower in comparison to other national parks in Sri Lanka, it is still completely normal to spot Sri Lankan elephants, Fishing cats, Wild boars, Golden jackals and with some luck, even leopards.
But what really sets apart the Kumana National Park, is the park’s extensive birdlife, with thousands of birds migrating here every year between the months of April and July.
Though I visited the Yala National Park before going to Arugam Bay, it’s easy to see why people choose to visit the Kumana National Park.
If you’re keen to visit Kumana, I’d highly recommend sorting out your safari in advance.
THE ESSENTIALS
Where | Kumana National Park
Opening hours | Daily 0600 – 1800
Recommended tour | This 3-hour private Kumana National Park tour is a great way to visit the park – plus it includes pickup and dropoff service at your hotel in Arugam Bay.
6 | Admire the Muhudu Maha Viharaya Stupa in Pottuvil
Established between the sand dunes of Pottuvil Beach, the Muhudu Maha Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist temple that is marked by an impressive white stupa.
Nicknamed the ‘Temple of the Ocean’, the temple was first built over 2000 years ago by King Kavan Tissa of Ruhuna, and is still one of the region’s most impressive sights to behold.
Along with the stupa, you’ll notice several stone statues of Buddha surrounding the area, adding to the temple’s already grand appearance.
So, if you have some spare time in between all the surfing, I’d highly recommend heading to Muhudu Maha Viharaya Stupa for a relaxing morning stroll – trust me, you won’t regret it.
THE ESSENTIALS
Where | Muhudu Maha Viharaya Stupa
7 | Take a relaxing Lagoon Safari in Pottuvil
Another great way to see the region’s rich and diverse wildlife is by joining a completely different kind of safari, namely a relaxing lagoon safari on Pottuvil’s very own lagoon.
By means of a paddleboat, you will venture through the Pottuvil Lagoon, where you’ll encounter lots of different animals, including wild Sri Lankan elephants, Monitor lizards, buffalos, crocodiles, and a wide variety of bird species.
While it’s certainly not as impressive as a safari in the Yala National Park, it’s actually quite a relaxing experience – plus it’s an excellent way to support the local communities in Pottuvil
One of the most popular tours, and the one I’d personally recommend given the focus on ethical tourism, is the 2-hour lagoon safari tour provided by Unrani Eco Lagoon Safari in Pottuvil.
THE ESSENTIALS
Where | Unrani Eco Lagoon Safari
Cost | Around 2.000 LKR ($8) per person
Things to do in Arugam Bay | The essentials
Where to eat in Arugam Bay
Hello Burger | When you want a break from eating all those delicious curries, a burger is always a good option. And where better to have a good burger than at Hello Burger. On top of the tasteful food, the cosy cafe has a good atmosphere with funky music playing in the background.
Friends Indeed | A good place to enjoy good food and drinks while watching the waves crash at the beach. They serve a balanced menu with both local and Western dishes. The vibe is good and the staff is really friendly. For those who work remotely. In my experience, they have the best Wifi in Arugam Bay.
Flo! | This restaurant is located at the beginning of the main street and is the perfect place for a traditional Sri Lankan breakfast. I recommend you to try their Roti with coconut sambal and Dal curry with some Lavaria on the side. They also serve high-quality fruit juices and smoothies.
Mantra | Stands out with its local cuisine and a good quality-price ratio. The home-like atmosphere makes Mantra a restaurant where you would like to return. A fun thing is that guests are allowed to write something on the wall.
Other restaurants that deserve some recognition are Cili and Karma Gardens.
The best time to visit Arugam Bay
Given Sri Lanka lies in the Indian Ocean, the country is known for its tropical climate, with comfortable weather year-round.
However, the pearl-shaped island is also home to two monsoon seasons that manage to have a significant impact on the island’s climate. The monsoon on the east side of Sri Lanka runs from November to January, so you might want to avoid this period.
For that reason, the best time to visit Arugam Bay is from early May till late October, when the temperatures are great and the waves are at their peak.
I’ve visited Arugam Bay in September and had excellent circumstances during my entire stay.
HOW TO GET AROUND ARUGAM BAY
Renting a scooter in Arugam Bay is by far the easiest way to get around. The cost of renting a scooter is around 1.200 to 1.500 LKR ($6.5-$8) and a full tank will cost you 600 LKR ($3.25). If you only plan to stay at the beach and the main street, walking is perfectly fine as distances in Arugam Bay aren’t that big.
HOW TO GET TO ARUGAM BAY
Depending on your itinerary it is most common to travel to Arugam Bay from Trincomalee or Ella. It is also an option to plan your visit after going on a safari in the Yala National Park in Tissamaharama. To reach Arugam Bay you have to spend some extra time as it is a bit off-track for most itineraries. The extra travel time is definitely worth it so don’t let this discourage you from going to one of the best surf spots in Sri Lanka.
FROM TRINCOMALEE TO ARUGAM BAY
Tuk tuk or private taxi | The fastest and most expensive way to travel from Trincomalee to Arugam Bay is with a tuk-tuk or private taxi. In 4-5 hours time, you’ll reach Arugam Bay and it will cost you around 10.000 – 18.000 LKR ($55-$100).
Travel time | 4 – 5 hours
Cost | 10,000-18,000 LKR ($55 – 100)
Bus | Trincomalee – Batticaloa – Pottuvil – Arugam Bay | From Trincomalee jump on a bus that brings you to Batticaloa. This journey takes between 3-4 hours if you’re lucky. At Batticaloa change to the bus with Pottuvil as the destination. This takes another estimated 3 hours. Once you reached Pottuvil it is only 10 minutes which can easily be done with a tuk-tuk or by taking a bus in the direction of Panama.
Travel time | 6 – 7 hours
Total cost | 400 – 700 LKR ($2.5 – 4)
FROM ELLA TO ARUGAM BAY
Tuk tuk | For 5000 LKR ($27-$30) a tuk tuk brings you directly from Ella to Arugam Bay in around 3 hours. The last part of this journey takes a little longer as it is really steep and a tuk tuk will have some troubles with the inclined road. Nonetheless this gives you a perfect opportunity to get your first glimpse of the beauty that the lush green mountains of Ella have to offer.
Travel time | 2.5 – 3 hours
Cost | 5,000-5,500 LKR ($27 – 30)
Bus | Ella – Wellawaya – Monaragala – Pottuvil | In some cases you will find a bus that goes straight to Monaragala from Ella. If not you have to get on the bus that brings you to Wellawaya where you have to change busses to reach Monaragala. From Monaragala you can go directly to Pottuvil by bus. Here you can jump in a tuk tuk or a bus that goes in the direction of Panama.
Travel time | 3 – 3.5 hours
Cost | 300 – 600 LKR ($2 – 3.5)
FROM YALA (TISSAMAHARAMA) TO ARUGAM BAY
Tuk-tuk | From Yala to Arugam Bay takes around 3-3.5 hours and is quite a good ride with some beautiful sceneries along the road. The price for this journey is estimated between 5.000-6.000 LKR ($27-$33). Chances of seeing elephants are highly relevant which is one of the fun parts of the journey.
Travel time | 3 – 3.5 hours
Cost | 5,000 – 6,000 LKR ($27 – 33)
Bus | Tissamaharama – Thanamalwila – Wellawaya – Monaragala – Pottuvil | From Tissamaharama it is important to reach the Wellawaya bus station. Sometimes the bus goes directly from Tissamaharama but there is a chance you have to switch busses at Thanamalwila. Once you reached Wellawaya after 2-3 hours, jump on the bus that stops in Monaragala. This journey takes roughly 1.5 hours. At this point, it is really tempting to get a tuk-tuk straight to Arugam Bay as switching busses and waiting consumes a lot of time. From Monaragala to Pottuvil is still around 2 hours travelling by bus. Taking a tuk-tuk from Monaragala to Arugam Bay will cost around 2.500-3.000 LKR ($14-$16.5) and is a perfect option to win some time.
Travel time | 6.5 – 8 hours
Cost | 350 – 600 LKR ($2.3 – 3.5)
Stay safe in Sri Lanka | Travel insurance
Though Sri Lanka is perfectly safe for travellers, I always strive to sort out my travel insurance before arriving in a foreign country, and I highly advise anyone else to do the same.
Where we prefer that everything goes smoothly during our travels, something unfortunate can happen at any moment, whether it’s an injury or an accident on the road. When that happens, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Heymondo | Whether you’re going on a 3-week backpacking trip, or planning a long stay somewhere abroad, Heymondo has excellent insurance options either way – plus full COVID-19 coverage and a handy app with 24-hour medical assistance. Readers of WTSW receive 5% off any insurance policy, more information here.
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