Arugam Bay (known locally as Arugam Kudah, often shortened by tourists to "A-Bay") is a town in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. It is popular for surfing, and is the location of the only international surf competition in the country.
Arugam Bay is a bay situated on the Indian Ocean in the dry zone of Sri Lanka's southeast coast. The bay is located 320 km due east of Colombo. It is a popular surfing and tourist destination. Many of the buildings were destroyed in the 2004 tsunami.
The surf season is Apr-Oct. Many businesses are closed outside of this period, because the weather in the wet season (Nov-Mar) prevents surfable waves from forming. The place gets pretty busy during the peak surf season, July & August, when the waves are at their vesy best. However, there are usually some good waves still to be had at the very start (Oct) or the very end (Mar) of the season when the crowds are much diminished.
The town is centred on Panama Road, the long north-south road which follows the beach. The road links Pottuvil to the north (nearly all tourists come from this direction) with smaller, quieter destinations to the south like Elephant Rock, Peanut Farm Beach, the town of Panama and finally the Kumana National Park. You will find all the typical surf town businesses along the main road, like accommodation, small shops, restaurants, bars, surf schools, yoga studios, and cafes.
Bus transport to Arugam Bay is complicated by the fact that many of the buses that claim to service Arugam Bay do not actually enter the town. Most buses stop in the town of Pottuvil (sometimes also written as Pothuvil or Putuveli), which is about 4 km to most guesthouses in Arugam Bay. Tuk-tuks will cost Rs. 1000 as of 2025. Or you could walk if no luggage; it's pleasant and flat. That said, there are frequent buses from Colombo to Pottuvil. Most are via Ratnapura, Welawaya, Buttala, Monaragala. An example is this public bus where surfboards are allowed to be brought aboard. There is another public SLTB bus which leaves Colombo Fort every day at 21:00.
In terms of private buses, 12go lists a US$14 overnight bus from Punchi Borella on Mardana Rd Colombo (departure 19:30) to Pottuvil (arrival 05:30). Bus route EX1/EX3 travels from Katunayake bus stand (near the airport) at 20:00 to Pottuvil and Arugam Bay where it terminates at 03:15. 7 hours, Rs. 2750.
From Batticaloa there are three daily buses to Pottuvil: dep. 06:00 - arr. 09:10, dep. 10:30 - arr. 16:00, dep. 11:00 - arr. 17:00. The second and third buses each day stop for 1 hour in the town of Akuraivili. Tuk-tuks offer to take travelers directly from there to Arugam Bay for Rs.1500, but you could just wait for an hour for the bus to continue and not spend any additional money.
Private taxi services can be arranged at any time of day or night. Travel time from the international airport to Arugam Bay is 7 hours for the 350 km trip (US$150 and up). Private transfers from Ella or Batticaloa should cost around US$50.
Since the 1960s, Arugam Bay's main surf point has drawn people here from across the world. It is a righthand reef break, famous for long, constituent runs up to 750 m.
Fishermen on the beachSurfing. Arugam Bay is Sri Lanka's most popular surf spot and one of the best in Asia. Many points exists, e.g. Main Point and Baby Point in Arugam Bay, Crocodile Rock (aka Elephant Rock), Panama, Okanda and Peanut Farm in the south, Whisky Point and Pottuvil Main Point in the north. Crocodile Rock is mainly used by beginners from sunrise on. Boards can be rented virtually everywhere, tuktuks are readily available to transport surfer and board to the points nearby. Board from Rs. 1,000/hour. (updated Aug 2024)
Tuk Tuk safari, [email protected]. Several tour agencies (such as Arugambay Tours or We Joint Tours, who have their offices along the main road) offer tuk tuk safaris. They will drive towards Kumana (formerly known as Yala East) National Park, but not into the boundaries of the park. Along the street down to Panama and further on into the park you might spot monkeys, elephants, crocodiles and many other animals. As with any game drive, spotting animals is based on luck, the season, time of the day, etc. Rs. 10,000 per tuk tuk. (updated Aug 2024)
6.51305681.6877781Jeep Safari in Kumana National Park. Several tour agencies (such as Arugambay Tours, We Joint Tours and others) offer Jeep Safaris into Kumana (formerly known as Yala East) National Park. The price includes the entry to the park and the drive. There are morning tours (starting at 5-6:00) as well as afternoon ones (13:00) which each take 6 hours. The park is at 45 minutes away, so you'll have about 4.5 hours inside Kumana. The park is well known for its birds (peacocks, storks, flamingos), but you will also spot water buffaloes and, if you're lucky, elephants and crocodiles. Have breakfast or lunch before you go and bring snacks and plenty of water. Rs. 11,000 per person. (updated Aug 2024)
Boat safari at Pottuvil lagoon (Lagoon safari). Several tour agencies offer lagoon safaris at the nearby Pottuvil lagoon. You will be taken for a 15 minute ride in a Tuk Tuk to the Pottuvil lagoon, from where local fishermen will take you on a 1.5 hour tour around the lagoon, showing you eagles, crocodiles, elephants and other animals. Though maybe underwhelming for kids, this is quite a nice and relaxing way to experience the local flora and fauna. Rs 3,500-5,000 per person. (updated Aug 2024)
The nearby market town of Pottuvil (4 km north) has the only proper, air-conditioned supermarket (Cargill's Food City.) Other small shops are in A-Bay itself. The perhaps best equipped and stocked one is "Home Needs" in the centre of town. There is only one pharmacy in A-Bay but many in Pottuvil.
Shops and stalls in A-Bay are more expensive than in Pottuvil. Some shops on the main road have no prices displayed and seem to charge different customers different prices, whatever they think the customer will pay. Shop around. If you need to do a big shop, head into Pottuvil.
Most restaurants are either directly on the beach (such as Emma Restaurant or Friends Indeed) or on both sides on the main road. Many restaurants have their fish (e.g. tuna or marlin, without cooling) shown, but check twice if it is really fresh or from the day before.
There are two "wine shops" in Arugam Bay where you can buy take-away beer, wine and spirits. Palmgrove Holiday Inn caters for local patrons and has a licensed bar. Opposite there is a shop where you can get the cheapest Lion at Rs. 475 per can. Subashi's beer pub is restricted to bottled beer and wine only (no liquor). Opposite, part of the old Siam View Hotel, Asia's perhaps oldest MicroBrew Pub existed. They produced famous All Natural Arugam Bay Surfer's Beer on tap (only). Due to strict licensing laws their operation could not legally continue after the 2009 end of the civil war. Hideaway resort operates a secluded bar in their garden.
A bar close to Galaxy Lounge plays electronic music till sunrise every Wednesday.
There are around 70 hotels, hostels and homestays in A-Bay. Most are simple, family-run cabana-style low budget places.
In total there are only about 120 somewhat better equipped rooms available with A/C and a few basic luxuries. The most popular hotels are, as follows, coming from the bridge/Pottuvil end: #01 Stardust, #03 Galaxy, #05 Beachhut, #15 Tsunami Hotel, #32 Tristar Hotel, #37 Hideaway, #39 Arugam Bay Surf Resort, #50 Siam View Hotel (SVH). Only the latter (SVH) is air-conditioned throughout.
6.84328581.8317971Emma home-stay, Panama rd, Arugam Bay, ☏ +94 777644565, [email protected]. Check-in: 7AM, check-out: 1PM. This place is straight on the beach. There are simple regular rooms, 2 bungalows on the beach and 2nd floor with 2 rooms, private terrace with ocean view and a kitchen. It is a home-stay with flexible local host, nice guys run this place and you can survive the heat in the chillout with fan and hammock. US$10-60. (updated Jun 2015)
Matara. One daily bus from Pottuvil at 06:00. Rs. 305, 7-8 hours. Note that the bus does not start in Pottuvil. When it arrives in Pottuvil at 06:00-06:30, most seats are taken; you might have to stand for 1-2 hours until the people get off at the bigger towns.
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