Give me the sun, the sea and a little spot to be…

Located on the east coast of Sri Lanka is Arugam Bay, or A-Bay as it is also known. A small beach and fishing town with an eclectic mix of cultures – from the more conservative local Muslim community to the hippy vibe of all the foreign surfers who flock to the area. You’ll see brightly colored board-shorts and surfboards next to traditional ox carts carrying fruit. The pace is slow in Arugam Bay and it’s easy to lose track of time while you’re there. It’s the perfect spot to spend a few days unwinding on the beach. But don’t worry! If you are like me and love lots of activities while on holiday, there is still plenty to do. In this post I’ve detailed 12 things to do in A-Bay!

12 Things to Do in Arugam Bay

Catch a Wave

Arugam Bay is well known to be the best place in Sri Lanka for surfing. Surfers flock to the area from all over the world. In town you can find lots of surf schools and shops ready to get you out on the water. The best spots to catch a wave are: Main Point, Peanut Farm, Elephant Rock, Whiskey Point and Panama. While Main Point is in A-Bay itself, many of the other spots are slightly out of town. You can either take a Tuk-Tuk for each journey or rent one yourself for your time in Arugam Bay. The Tuk-Tuks are kitted out to be able to carry surfboards!  Even if you aren’t an experienced surfer, there are plenty of easier surf spots to learn, like Baby Point and Elephant Rock.

Check out Safa Surf Camp for lessons!

Beach Hop

If surfing isn’t your thing, spend your time in Arugam Bay exploring the many surrounding beaches. The main beach in Arugam Bay is really long and sandy but can be difficult to swim in because of the surf. One of the easiest areas to get in is by the beginner surf spot, Baby Point. It’s easy to find it – you’ll see lots of Sri Lankan’s at that spot in the water! Other spots include all of the surf spots above, with Peanut Farm being my favorite for swimming.

Practice Yoga

It came as no surprise that this beach town was filled with places to practice yoga! Wake up early for some morning yoga at Stardust Hotel or Hideaway. Hideaway also offers Ayurveda treatments and massages, as well as meditation classes.

Safari in Kumana National Park or Lahugala National Park

Going on a safari in Sri Lanka is an amazing experience – you’re pretty much guaranteed to see an elephant and the vegetation no matter where you are is incredible. If you haven’t had a chance to make it to the well-known Yala National Park or Udawalawe National Park, take the time to travel 45 minutes south of Arugam Bay to Kumana National Park. Or slightly inland to the smaller Lahugala National Park.

Check out my post on Udawalawe National Park

Visit Kudumbigala Monastery

Nearby Kumana National Park is Kudumbigala Monastery. The monastery was built in 246 B.C. and was the first refuge built for Buddhist monks to escape the city. It’s located only 18 miles (30 km) from Arugam Bay and you can easily get to the monastery by scooter during a day of exploring the area south of A-Bay.

Rent a Scooter

One of my favorite things to do in Arugam Bay was to rent a scooter and explore the area! We headed south out of A-Bay and went to Peanut Farm and Panama beach. You could go even further to Kudumbigala Monastery too! We rented a scooter in a few places in Sri Lanka and Arugam Bay was definitely one of the easiest areas to drive in. The roads are good and once you get out of the city, there is much less traffic. We paid 1000 LKH ($8) a day for the scooter.

Sunset at Elephant Rock

The sunsets in Sri Lanka are incredible and a great spot to catch one is at Elephant Rock. We sat on the rocks in the late afternoon and watched the remaining surfers until the sun went down. Be careful getting up to Elephant Rock though. While we were there (September 2017), sadly, a young man was attacked by a crocodile at the lagoon right by the rock. Attacks on humans are really rare, but keep clear of the lagoon and certainly don’t put your hands in it!

Visit the Colorful Fishing Boats

Arugam Bay has long been a small fishing village and the main livelihood of the residents. All along the main stretch of beach, you’ll see their colorful fishing boats. Walk along the beach in the early mornings to see people heading out to catch fish, or in the afternoon as they are heading in and washing off their boats and catch.

Float at Pottuvil Lagoon

I didn’t do this while I was there but I did notice the lagoon when I was coming into town from Pottuvil (2 miles from Arugam Bay). Head out early with EcoWave Travels for a chance to see some elephants and other wildlife while you float through the lagoon in one of the colorful boats!

Eat and Drink Your Way Around Town

As Arugam Bay is a fishing town, the best thing to eat is definitely seafood. All along the main road you’ll see the day’s catch on display. Some of my favorite spots to eat and drink were:

• Hideaway (my favorite spot for happy hour cocktails)
• Surf N Sun
• Meena (best local spot!)
• Any of the roadside stands
• Blue Ocean Restaurant
• Samanthi’s restaurant

Cooking Class and Jungle BBQ

If you aren’t able to book a room at East Surf Cabanas (from $25), then you should definitely at least take one of their cooking classes or go on a jungle BBQ one evening!

Nothing, Just Chill!

The number one thing to do in Arugam Bay is absolutely nothing. A-bay is the perfect place to take it easy and spend a few days chilling out. Find the nearest hammock or beach, a good book and a a fresh coconut and you are set to go!

When to Visit

The best time to visit Arugam Bay and the east coast of Sri Lanka is from April to September. I visited in October, which can be a bit of an in between month. Luckily, it was great weather then too.

Getting There

This all depends on where you are coming from. Arugam Bay is located on the east coast of Sri Lanka, 212 miles (342 km) from Colombo. The easiest way to get to Arugam Bay is by hired car, with the price dependent on where you are coming from. There are also buses that leave a variety of locations and go into Pottuvil Station, which is just outside of Arugam Bay. From there you will need to catch a tuk-tuk to your hotel (around $3).

Check out this post for more information on the bus journey from Colombo to Arugam Bay. The site also has helpful information about travel from other parts of Sri Lanka to Arugam Bay.

Check out this site for taxi shares.

Regardless, the journey to Arugam Bay will likely be long. Spend a few days exploring the area because it is certainly well worth the travel!

Where to Stay

There are a lot of accommodation options in Arugam Bay to choose from. Below are a few of the best recommended, ranging from mid-range to budget options:

Hideaway Resort (mid-range, from $75)

The Spice Trail (mid-range, from $55)

Beach Hut (budget, from $15)

East Surf Cabanas (budget, from $25)

Read More:

20 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Sri Lanka

Two Weeks in Sri Lanka: What to See, Eat and Do

On Safari in Udawalawe National Park