Are you an avid surfer? If so, you may instantly recognize the name Arugam Bay. Even if you’re not, you might be interested in finding out more about this popular tourist attraction. Arugam Bay is a small sleepy 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 am going to tell you 5 good reasons why you should visit Arugam Bay.
Arugam Bay is not your typical surf destination with modern facilities. It is more of a community based destination, where the small guest houses and the odd starred hotel sit side by side. This does not make it any less attractive for regular visitors who return every year. Although this destination was devastated by the 2004 tsunami and conflict, Arugam Bay’s entrepreneurial community 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 have made Arugam Bay a must-visit destination.
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 surf enthusiast or interested in learning how to surf, this is the place for you. You don’t even need to bring your equipment, as you can rent surf equipment from local teams, who also provide training for novice surfers. It boasts of more than 10 surf breaks 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 the conditions are perfect if you are looking for a quiet getaway. Accommodation prices can be quite low and you can find a pretty decent room with basic facilities for around $15 per night.
- If you are a wildlife enthusiast, excellent wildlife sanctuaries are just minutes from this destination. The Lahugala Sanctuary, famous for elephants, is no more than a 20-minute drive from here. You can even pass some of these majestic beasts if you’re 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 to this location to escape the winter.
- The sand dunes in Panama allow you to wander through a stretch of virgin land and even go on a jeep safari to the dunes. The Pottuvil dunes are much closer, but it is situated in the middle of a busy little town, but no less attractive in its own way.
- The area near Arugam Bay also boasts a large number of ancient monuments. The Kudumbigala Archaeological Reserve is home to monastic caves dating back to around the 12th century AD The ancient Okanda temple dedicated to Lord Skanda situated on a rocky outcrop south of Arugam Bay is believed to feature in “The Tales of Sinbad the Sailor” . Monuments related to the nearly thousand-year-old southern kingdom of Magama are found in the village of Pottuvil, next to the dunes and inside the Lahugala sanctuary. They are said to have been built in honor of the mother of the warrior king Dutugemunu of the kingdom of Anradhapura.
Arugam Bay attractions are so numerous and satisfy the visitors with different interests. It is simply amazing that so many attractions are so close to each other. Coupled with the extremely friendly service from the villagers who run the facility, I would highly recommend visiting here, especially if you are on a tight budget.
