Arugam Bay Beach is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. The beach is so famous among local and international tourists because of its suitability for surfing. When considering the best beaches in Sri Lanka, this location will also come to mind. Sri Lanka is an island in the Indian Ocean. It’s a paradise, with so many mountains, forests, wild animals, and beaches.
Location & Weather
Location;
Arugam Bay Beach is located in the eastern part of the country, which belongs to the Ampara district of the eastern province. The distance from Colombo is approximately 320 kilometers, and the distance from Ella is approximately 134 kilometers. You must first travel to the small town of Pothuvil. From there, you can reach the place very easily. The majority of the people in the area are Muslims. But you can see Sinhala and Tamil people in the southern parts of the bay. Fishing is the major living activity for most people.
Weather;
The place is located in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. The annual rainfall in the area ranges between 1250mm and 2000mm. The period from November to February is considered the rainy season in the eastern province. The average temperature is around 27 °C, where you can experience most hot and sunny days without rain.
More facts about Arugam Bay Beach
The beach is long—more than 1 km. So, you have enough space to enjoy. There are plenty of hotels, restaurants, and shops around the beach, so you can go there to fulfill your needs and wants. Two ATM machines are also available before the beach.
This is a very busy beach during the June–September period. During the season, both foreigners and locals flock here. Evening is the ideal and best time to arrive here. Less sunshine will generate more colorful pictures for a photographer.
The nights are also busy with tourists. You can see many of them enjoying singing and eating around a bonfire. But you need to take care of the thieves around here.
Elephant Rock is located at the far end of the beach. It’s another beautiful place where you should go. It’s a somewhat rocky area with no clear road access.
Surfing in Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay Beach is widely famous for its surfing activities. It is the only location in Sri Lanka where international surfing competitions take place. There are so many places to buy or rent surfboards. Apart from that, there are a number of schools for those who love to learn surfing. Beginners can learn the lessons and experience them with experts. You have nothing to worry about in the water because there will be several lifeguards watching over you.
Baby Point, Peanut Farm Beach, Whiskey Point, and Elephant Point are some of the special places here based on the various surfing activities. The surfing season runs from June to September.
Other Places to Travel Around Arugam Bay
- Muhudu Maha Viharaya Temple
- Magul Maha Viharaya Temple
- Kumana National Park
- Boat Safari in Pothuvil Bay
- Elephant Rock Hike
(Beach Image Credit: Travel Girl Shanuli from Facebook)