With its slightly run-down feel and swarms of crows, the chilled coastal town of Arugam Bay gives off the vibe that it may have left the bulk of its glory days in the past. Nevertheless, it seethes with people during peak season (April till October), offers some fairly good surf and has a solid assortment of places to chill. Best of all, it’s probably one of the only places in the world where an elephant might come down to the beach in the afternoon to scratch its arse on the reef. Be wary that from November through to March, many places close their doors due to a total lack of tourists.
Shit Worth Doing
Arugam Bay: Reel in the Day’s Catch
If you’re hefty, strong and in the right place at the right time (or the wrong place at the…Arugam Bay: Thithanis Roti Hot
Get There: Beach Road in front of Baby Surf Point (directly left of Samanthi’s Restaurant at Freedom Beach Cabanas).…Arugam Bay: Peanut Farm Beach
Get There: About 6km south of Arugam Bay. Turn left onto the mud flat between the second and…Arugam Bay: Let Off Fireworks
When you hail from a police state, there is no greater novelty when travelling to be able to…Arugam Bay: Accommodation
Arugam Bay is scattered with tonnes of shacks, concrete shoeboxes and even day beds covered with mosquito nets…Arugam Bay: Siam View
Get There: SVH – YMCA, Siam View Hotel, Ampara 32500 It’s expensive as all hell as far as…Arugam Bay: Surf
By far one of the most promising surf destinations Sri Lanka has to, Arugam Bay has waves suited for all…Arugam Bay: Raft Around in Search of Elephants
Get There: Pottuvil Lagoon “Eco-tourism” often translates to “expensive-as-fuck-and-foreign-owned”, but in this instance, it has its originally intended meaning: sustainable,…