Arugam

Understand

Arugam Bay is a bay 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 April to October. The place gets pretty busy during July & August when the waves are at their very best. However, there are usually some good waves still to be had at the very start (Mar) or the very end (Oct) of the season when the crowds are much diminished. Because the weather in the wet season (Nov-Mar) prevents surfable waves from forming, most hotels and restaurants are closed from November to March. The town is centred on Panama Road, the long north-south road which runs parallel to the beach. Panama Road links Pottuvil to the north (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 where it terminates. 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.

Getting there

By bus 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 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. Private buses will offer a more comfortable ride. 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 travellers directly from there to Arugam Bay for Rs.1500 (this is the old price and needs updating), but you could just wait for an hour for the bus to continue and not spend any additional money. Getting to A-Bay from Ella cheaply involves at least one bus change. Board the 7:40 bus to Wellawaya (45 min). At Wellawaya bus station, where there are good public toilets (Rs 20), locals will tell you there are no buses to A-bay to entice you to hire their tuk-tuk. Ignore them and board the 98-1 or 98-4 bus to Pottuvil (3.5 hr). If there are no buses coming soon on these routes, board a bus to Siyambalanduwa (2 hr) and take a bus to Pottuvil from there. It is best to attempt this route in the morning as there are more buses.

By train There are no train statio

See

Since the 1960s, Arugam Bay's main surf point has drawn people here from around the world. It is a righthand reef break, famous for long, constituent runs up to 750 m.

Do

Surfing. Arugam Bay is Sri Lanka's most popular surf spot and one of the best in Asia. There are many points, e.g. Main Point and Baby Point in Arugam Bay, Crocodile Rock (aka Elephant Rock), Panama, Okanda and Peanut Farm in the south, and Pottuvil Main Point in the north. (Whisky point has been out of action since 2019). 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) 1 Jeep 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 05:00-06:00) as well as afternoon ones (13:00) which each take 6 hours. The park is 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. On the way to or from Kumana, you can stop at Panama Tank, the large lake close to Panama town, which lots of crocodiles to see. Rs. 11,000 per person. (updated Aug 2024) 2NOT EXISTING IMAGE Boat trip on Pottuvil lagoon. Small bo

Buy

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. 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.

Eat

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 refrigeration) on display, but check if it is really fresh or from the day before. 1 Shady Lane, Sinhapura Rd, ☏ +94770825420. Popular cafe (the original branch is in Mirissa) with tourist-friendly vegetarian and vegan dishes. (updated Oct 2025) 2 Mama's Restaurant, Corner of Panama Rd and Ali Cross Rd, ☏ +94713839969. Try the enormous shwarma wraps. Also has a popular buffet! Open for breakfast lunch and dinner. Rs 2000. (updated Oct 2025) 3 Serendib, Corner Panama Rd and 100 Ali Cross Rd. Seafood restaurant with a huge selection of fresh fish. (updated Oct 2025) 4 Salty Swami's. Upmarket cafe-restaurant with small bites and live music Rs 3000. (updated Oct 2025) 5 Kaffi, ☏ +94742508376. 07:00-18:30 daily. Cafe with a bakery display case full of western-style goodies that are hard to find elsewhere Rs 1500. (updated Oct 2025)] 6 Hideaway Resort. Restaurant in beautiful, shady garden