Are you an avid surfer? If so, you can instantly recognize the name of Arugam Bay. Even if not, you may be interested in learning more about this popular tourist attraction. Arugam Bay is a small quiet village 320 km east of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, and is ranked among the top ten surf destinations in the world. In this article I’m going to tell you 5 good reasons why you should pay a visit to Arugam Bay.
Arugam Bay is not your typical surf destination with modern facilities. It’s more of a community-based destination, where small guesthouses and the occasional star-rated hotel sit next to each other. This does not make it less attractive to regular visitors who repeat each year. Although this destination was devastated by the 2004 tsunami and conflict, the entrepreneurial community of Arugam Bay has returned the destination to its former glory. Much improved roads, which have reduced travel times by almost an hour and a half and the return of peace has made Arugam Bay a destination not to be missed.
Here are the top 5 reasons to visit Arugam Bay:
- It is the third best ranked among the top ten surf destinations in the world. So if you are a surfing enthusiast or interested in learning to surf, this is the place for you. You don’t even need to bring your gear as you can rent surf gear from local teams, who also provide training for novice surfers. It has more than 10 surf spots and the waves are excellent between April and October and it is also the scene of local and international surfing competitions that take place during this period.
- From November to April, the sea is fine for swimming and snorkeling, and conditions are perfect if you’re looking for a quiet getaway. Accommodation prices can be quite low and you can find a fairly decent room with basic facilities for around $ 15 a night.
- If you are a wildlife enthusiast, you have excellent wildlife sanctuaries just minutes from this destination. The Lahugala sanctuary, famous for its elephants, is no more than a 20-minute drive from here. You can even pass some of these majestic beasts if you are en route if you take the inland route to get here. The Kumana Bird Sanctuary is located just 10 km south of Arugam Bay and birds from as far away as Siberia have been known to migrate here to escape the winter.
- The sand dunes of Panama allow you to stroll through a stretch of virgin land and even go on a jeep safari through the dunes. The Pottuvil Dunes are much closer, but you are in the middle of a busy little town, but no less attractive in its own way.
- The area around Arugam Bay also has a large number of ancient monuments. The Kudumbigala Archaeological Reserve is home to monastic caves dating back to the 12th century AD. The ancient Okanda temple dedicated to Lord Skanda, located on a rocky outcrop south of Arugam Bay, is believed to be featured in “The Tales of Sinbad the Sailor.” . In the town of Pottuvil, next to the dunes and within the sanctuary of Lahugala, there are monuments related to the southern kingdom of Magama that are almost a thousand years old. They are said to have been built to honor the mother of the warrior king Dutugemunu of the kingdom of Anradhapura.
Arugam Bay’s attractions are numerous and cater to visitors with different interests. It’s amazing that so many attractions are so close together. Along with the extremely friendly service from the villagers who manage the facility, I highly recommend visiting here, especially if you are on a tight budget.