Arugam Bay

[kitesurfer]

I'm thinking of heading to Arugam bay sri Lanka for 4 weeks this winter. Anyone been there, got any useful tips to share/ experiences. Places to stay etc? Any advice much appreciated. Thanks.

KS

[jaffa1949]

Hi Kitey can't help you much one Island I haven't surfed yet!
I hope you don't have any Buddha or religious tattoos, if you do keep them well covered people have been deported for baring a Buddha and being found guilty of Sacrilege
Aqualife might be able to suggest something PM her

[Aqualife]

Hi there,
There are waves in Arugam Bay roughly from end of April to late September. It's a long while from Colombo Airport and most people take a private van and share the costs, as it will take you a long time in local buses to get there.
It' s not my favourite place to surf but most people like it. I am so used to Indonesian powerful waves that Arugam Bay, even at it's best, never really delivered. The point is fun but extremely crowded - mostly with European (non)-surfers, local and very very aggressive Italians and Israelis. There are a few waves around the place which you can reach by TukTuk.
You van driver can give you a tour of village, it's very drawn out along a long bay. I stayed in a more "upmarket" place for roughly 25U$ per night but there are cheaper places.
Take everything you might need (spare leash, fins, ding repair kit, good first aid kit) there is nothing to buy.
Enjoy.

[kitesurfer]

Good reply thanks aqua. I am trying to convince my mates that A bay is the wrong place for us to go in Jan due to the lack of swell. Thinking the sw coast of the island will be better.

KS

[aegis]

I went to Arugam Bay a couple of years ago and surfed every day in good 3-4 foot waves.
I stayed at a great place called Galaxy. It was cheap clean and the people were great.
Arugam can get crowded so another nearby and less surfed place is called Whiskey Point.

[Aqualife]

Hi,
You are right - January is the time when the Hikkaduwa side is working. Advantages here are many more spots to choose from, better infrastructure (roads, buses, hotels, places to eat), it's also more crowded but more of a mixed crowd. Arugam Bay is Euro/Israelis surfers only with a few Aussies thrown in, mostly the young backpacker scene whereas the SW side has a greater mix of people, also non-surfers, greater options of waves and villages to spread out and also things to do when the ocean isn't cooperating (go upcountry or to some cool temples and old historic town - Galle and so on).
I would give Arugam Bay a miss outside the season, it's too hard to get there to then face bad waves and there isn't much to do if the waves aren't on.
What I did was to mix cheap Sri Lanka with expensive Maledives, as you can fly for $150 from Colombo to Male and check it out. Just an idea....Enjoy.

[arugambay]

More tips and useful links:
1. Van sharing :
2. Airport pickup booking :
3. Things to do :
4. Airport pickup : (advertising urls removed)

[kitesurfer]

Thanks for all the tips.
My flights are now booked and our first stop is going to be Medigama. Will be there for new years.

KS

[nystea]

go to hikaduwa much better surf and somz nightlife!!

[Aqualife]

Less Israelis and Italians if any at all in Midigama, so a lot more chilled out.
A very soft wave which breaks only when you have a solid swell but plenty of other spots around there.
Enjoy, people are lovely and the food is delicious.

[dtc]

Enjoy, Sri Lanka is high on my places to go list (non surfing version); but low on my wife's list. So it will be quite a few years until I make it... I will live vicariously in the meantime