Things to do in Arugam Bay Beach, Sri Lanka
Last updated on November 2nd, 2023 at 11:06 pm
Arugum Bay Beach is deservedly one of Sri Lanka’s most popular east coast beaches and we’ve created the best things to do guide that covers what to do and see in and around the bay aside from those lazy days in the sun. You’ll also discover the best places to stay and how to get to Arugam Bay Beach.
How we ended up in Arugam Bay
Five hours after leaving Ella in Sri Lanka’s highlands, we arrived at Arugam Bay beach. The bay is the most popular of Sri Lanka’s east coast beaches beach. It took three uncomfortable buses to get here.
But as the bus was driving through the town’s main road, which runs parallel to the moon-shaped golden bay, we could already see it was worth it.
We were keen to explore and find things to do at Arugam Bay beach!
Things to do in Arugam Bay Beach
Arugam Bay Beach has the kind of mellow vibe that we often look for in the beach towns we choose to visit.
Apparently, the more developed and brash West Coast beach resorts are the polar opposite of hammock-swinging Arugam Bay.
Because the population is only a few hundred, there seemed to be more tourists in town than locals. But this did not spoil the town’s laid-back vibe as Arugam Bay beach had clearly cast its chilled-out spell onto everyone.
Be an Arugam Bay Beach Bum
The main reason anyone visits Arugam Bay is for its golden sandy beach. It arches around the Bay for a few kilometres which allows for long barefoot walks on the sand.
Dotted along the beach are a selection of low-key restaurants and bars offering cold refreshments and lunches by day. Barbequed seafood by night!
Being on the remote east coast, Arugam Bay still hasn’t lost its traditional fishing industry charm.
Many of the west coast beaches have forced local fishermen off the beach to make room for lush resorts. But thankfully that isn’t the case here.
In the middle of Arugam Bay are dozens of colourful beached fishing boats. They’re still used daily to catch enough fish to sell to the area’s many fish restaurants and markets.
If you get up early enough, around 4 a.m., you can see the fishermen start their day at sea as they push their boats into the waves and float off into the distance.
Catch a wave
One of the most active things to do on Arugam Bay Beach is surfing. The water sport is another massive Arugam Bay draw card.
In the high season (June to October) the bay offers what most say are Sri Lanka’s best surf spots. It attracts amateur and professional surfers from around the world.
Because of this, there are loads of surf shops in the area offering surfboard hire, surf lessons, and surf clothing.
When we were there, it seemed to be the perfect surf beach for beginners. The beach even has a surf point that’s been fondly named Baby Point.
The continuous small waves, close to the shore, are the perfect size for adult and child beginners to ride their first successful wave.
Further around the beach to the south, where the beach straightens and seems to go on forever, are large surf breaks. Here you can watch more advanced surfers show off their moves.
Float through Pottuvil Lagoon
Now this is a must if you’re looking for things to do in Arugam Bay. In Sri Lanka, you are never far away from an opportunity to spot the country’s amazing and diverse wildlife.
While you can visit the many much-visited national parks by jeep, Arugam Bay offers something different. In the neighbouring town of Pottuvil, just 4 km away, you’ll find Pottuvil Lagoon.
Pottuvil Lagoon is a wetland area that you can explore by small motorless rafts. Tours from Arugam Bay Beach leave either early in the morning at 5:30 a.m. or late afternoon at 3:30 p.m.
Both times are best in the day for spotting the lagoon’s abundance of wildlife. Possible wildlife spotting includes elephants, crocodiles, monitor lizards, water buffalo, and heaps of birdlife.
The fee included a return tuk-tuk, and we peacefully floated on a homemade raft constructed from old canoes and wooden planks, through this remote and tranquil wetland area.
The only sounds to be heard were birdcall and the light splashes of water from the two guides rowing us to prime wildlife spotting areas.
We successfully spotted our first Sri Lankan wild elephants! But at one point got a little too close as we tried to make it back to shore in the middle of a huge storm! Read about that here.
Walk to Elephant Rock
Elephant Rock is a sea-facing rock about 3km south of Arugam Bay Beach. It’s a popular surfing spot but also a perfect location to watch the sun rise or set.
We also heard you can see wild elephants from the rock roaming further inland! You can jump in a tuk-tuk for a 15-minute ride or walk 3 km from the southern end of Arugam Bay beach.
We, unfortunately, did not get a chance to visit Elephant Rock. On the afternoon we planned to walk there, a huge storm rolled in, so we had to turn back to find cover. It was a good thing we did because it was a big one!
Stuff your face with freshly caught fish
The main road running behind Arugam Bay beach is the best place to seek a fish dinner caught that very same day. We lost count of the amount of glowing fish-filled BBQs lined up on the street side.
This filled the air with appetising seafood-scented smoke. Prices varied from place to place and the mains of fish come with either rice, chips, or salad.
Our favourite fish restaurant was a little place called Rifky on a side street at the southern end of the strip. The family-run shack of a restaurant had bags of character.
With the husband running front of house, wife in the kitchen, and their three cute smiling kids running amok around our feet. For £5 each, we ate some of the best fish we have ever tasted which came with rice and a side of vegetable curry.
Arugam Bay Beach Accommodation
We stayed at The Seahorse Inn which “was” the last guesthouse on the southern end of main street. I say “was” because we’ve just learned its now closed down!
We still recommend staying in the southern end of town because it has the highest concentration of restaurants and shops.
It’s also closest to the most popular beach spot with the best patch of sand and surfing points.
There are a large number of bungalow-type hotels with separate villas and tree-house-like raised cabanas throughout the Arugam Beach area.
There has also been a wave of recent, post-covid resorts built and there is now a wide range of luxury 5-star beachside accommodation.
In the more traditional (and cheaper) accommodation, there are lots of little gardens and shared lounges with wif-fil and some have views of the beach, or snack bars.
The staff at our Inn were really friendly and always helpful when we had questions. In all these small guesthouses, they can book any tour or activity that you need including to the Kumana National Park (also called Yala National Park), lessons at the local surf schools, and even our lagoon tour!
To see better (and available!) Arugam Bay accommodation options, click here
Getting in and out
Getting in and out can only be done by road as there is no train station or airport nearby.
Expensive taxis are always an option but we took three public buses. This took over five hours to reach Arugam Bay beach from Ella. There did not seem to be a single route from Ella.
We were told various ways to get there so just jumped on the first bus we saw from Ella Junction. We started our destination and the friendly locals told us when to get off and what bus to catch next.
Thankfully there was a direct bus to our next destination of Batticaloa further up the east coast which took three hours.
The main bus station for all destinations to and from Arugam Bay Beach is 3 km away in Pottuvil.
So there are more things to do in Arugam Bay Bay aside from lazy days in the sun on any of its fantastic beaches!
No doubt you’ll spend plenty of time on the golden sand with a beer in hand as we did but there are big waves, long walks, lagoons, and elephants waiting to be explored.
