East Coast
Arugam Bay
the east coast's mythical right-hand point break..
The east coast's mythical right-hand point break.
Overview
Arugam Bay is a sleepy half-moon village ranked among the world's top ten surf points. The right-hand break peels for over 400m and the coastline is fringed by lagoons, elephant corridors and rarely-visited beaches.
- Ideal duration
- 3–5 nights
- Best time to visit
- May to September
- Weather
- Warm and dry 27–32°C in season; off-season is the eastern monsoon.
- Region
- East Coast
Where to stay
Best luxury hotels
Kottukal Beach House by Jetwing
Boutique by the lagoon, walking distance to the point.
Hideaway
Long-running design hideaway in a coconut garden.
Stardust Beach Hotel
Whitewashed cabanas on the bay's southern point.
See the full edit · Best luxury hotels in Arugam Bay
What to do
Private experiences
- Private surf coaching at Main Point or Whisky Point
- Sunrise safari at Kumana National Park
- Lagoon paddleboard at dawn
- Lighthouse hike at Okanda
What to see
Nearby attractions
- Main Point surf break
- Whisky Point
- Kumana National Park
- Okanda Temple and lighthouse
Curated tables
Where to eat
- Hello Burger — surf-town institution
- Mambo's at Whisky Point
- Stardust beachfront dining
Crafted by us
A sample Arugam Bay itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival & sunset
Transfer from Yala or fly in, settle into your hotel, walk the point.
- Day 2
Surf & safari
Dawn surf at Main Point, lazy lunch, late safari at Kumana.
- Day 3
Hidden coast
Lagoon paddle at dawn, Okanda lighthouse, beachfront dinner.
Insider notes
Travel tips
- Surf at Whisky Point if Main Point is crowded.
- Off-season (Nov–Feb) the bay is closed — visit May–Sep only.
- Pair with Yala via Kumana for a wildlife-and-surf loop.
How to arrive
Luxury transport
- Chauffeur from Yala (3h) or Ella (4h)
- Domestic flight to Ampara (35 min)
Answers
Arugam Bay: questions, answered.
Is Arugam Bay luxury?+
It is a surf town, not a resort destination — but with a boutique base and a private chauffeur it is one of Sri Lanka's most rewarding off-grid weeks.
When is the best time to surf Arugam Bay?+
May to September. The peak is July and August when the right-hand point break is at its longest.
