Arugam Bay in Sri Lanka is known as a surfer’s paradise, and it’s home to one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka. For such a beautiful coastal spot, we were surprised at the amazing wildlife nearby in world-famous Yala National Park. We saw monkeys, elephants, and crocodiles on our trip! Plan for 3 days in Arugam Bay with our top recommendations; we’ve also included where to stay and the best places to eat.
Things to do in Arugam Bay
Before you plan your trip, it’s good to know that the busy season in Arugam Bay runs from June to August. The waves in this season are world-famous, bringing surfers from all over the world to ride waves by day and party by night. We visited outside of this season, and we still really enjoyed it; the weather was great, but there just weren’t as many big waves or parties.
Note: Some restaurants and shops will close in the low season (October – February).
1. Climb up Elephant Rock
The Arugam area has many great bays, and Elephant Point is one of those. Elephant Rock, located at the end of this bay, offers a great vantage point to take in the whole area. We got a bit lost driving there, as it isn’t the most obvious route, but the good part is that it only takes 20 minutes.
From Arugam Town, drive the main road and turn left when you see the sign of the Navy Camp. Keep left, follow the road until the next split, and take a right towards a small lake. Just before the lake, turn left and keep going straight until the end. Here is the exact location.
We were told by locals to please keep a few things in mind when it comes to the wildlife here. Firstly, avoid traveling here alone in the morning or late afternoon, as elephants are likely to pass through this area. Additionally, avoid the rivers, as crocodiles are active here.
2. Muhudu Maha Viharaya
We stumbled upon this beautiful white temple by chance, having spotted it from Arugam Bay Beach. It is uniquely located in the dunes of Pottuvil. We combined it with a visit to the beach, but you could also visit Whisky Point (one of the best spots for surfing!) if you prefer. There’s also a great restaurant in Whisky Point Resort here, with excellent service and locally-sourced ingredients. Book a table here.
3. Surf & Chill at Arugam Bay Beach
Arugam is world-famous for its waves in high season. All the locals told us that there’s no better place to surf, and we couldn’t agree more! While big companies like Red Bull organize competitions here for the pros, it’s also a great place to learn. We joined a surf school here, and it was an absolute highlight of our Sri Lanka route.
If you’re more advanced, you can also rent a board in town and explore the popular surf spots yourself: Baby Point, Peanut Farm Beach, Main Point, or Elephant Point. High season for surfing in Arugam Bay runs from June to August.
After some surfing, chill at one of the many cafes like The Hideout or Stay Golden (make a reservation here). There are also many Yoga lessons available throughout the whole bayโs high season.
Visiting in Low Season
Don’t just skip Arugam because there are no waves. In February and March, you can do all these things to do in Arugam Bay except for surfing. What’s even better is that prices are about five times lower than in high season.
4. Lagoon Safari
Going on a 2-hour lagoon safari is one of the popular things to do in Arugam Bay. The beautiful, untouched lagoons, Pottuvil or Urani, are home to many crocodiles, elephants that can be spotted, and other wildlife. We can recommend Azi Taxi as your transportation option to the lagoon start point, or you can book this tour, which includes collection.
Yala National Park is another fantastic wildlife spot, close to Arugam (we spotted leopards here!). Our safari in Yala was truly a dream come true โ there’s nothing quite like seeing these animals in their natural habitat.
5. Arugam Bay Guide (Be a Foodie)
Arugam is full of small, trendy places where foodies can enjoy local delicacies and fusion food. They offer a wide range of dishes, including Sri Lankan cuisine, fresh seafood, wood oven pizzas, and vegan options like smoothie bowls. Some of our favorites are:
Tip: During the Friday prayers most of the restaurants close for a few hours.
6. See and Help the Fishermen
In the low season, the fishermen will be at the main beach every morning. We loved witnessing them weigh their catch of the day, which they then sent directly to the local restaurants. You can help them drag the boat onto the beach, and then later enjoy some fresh seafood nearby.
7. Kudumbigala Monastery
A monastery located in the middle of the jungle. Sounds great, right? Our driver took us to the foot of the rock in about 45 minutes from Arugam. However, if you’re going by tuk-tuk, it might be a bit longer. Here is the exact location.
Once you’re there, you have to climb up the rock (which isn’t the easiest!), but it’s so worth it for the incredible views of the whole region. Here is the walking route you can follow.
The view from the monastery by lena_moony
How to Visit Arugam
Arugam is a bit dislocated from the standard Sri Lanka Route, but it’s so worth making the trip! It was one of our favorite spots on our trip, especially for surfing and wildlife.
Tip: Visiting from Trincomalee (5h) or Ella (2.5h) is the best option to reach the bay. You can even do a 2-day Sri Lanka East Coast road trip from Trincomalee.
Where to Stay in Arugam Bay
Arugam is all about the beach! As such, most of the accommodations are located along the coastline. Choose from charming beach huts, mid-range guesthouses, or upscale beach resorts.
Best Time to Visit
The dry season in Arugam Bay runs from May to September, and the most popular months during this season are June, July, and August (for the surfing!).
Note: We visited outside of this season, and we still really enjoyed it; you might get some showers during the day, but we still had hours of sunshine to enjoy the coastline. Remember that in the low season, some restaurants and shops may close.
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Hi, I know it’s a kinda old post but do you think it’s also worth it to visit the bay in January? because you mentioned going there during the off-season is still fine but only starting in February. Happy to get your opinion and keep up your amazing work! :)
Hmmm not totally sure as weather could be an issue and shops being closed. You could message some local restaurants and just ask if they are open.