Top 9 awesome things to do in ArugamBay

Hi gays, welcome back !.I am going to tell about my favorite place in Sri Lanka. After a couple of hot and humid days in Colombo arriving in ArugamBay back felt like finding paradise. Think about miles of sand, palm trees, colorful boats and laid back restaurants. The atmosphere is young and fun, so it’s an ideal place for backpackers and solo travelers to meet like-minded people.May to September is the best time to visit, but I really like to go out of season because it is an isolated place with a peaceful environment.

9 things to do in Arugambay

1. ArugamBay

Arugambay is considered the undisputed best surfing spot in Sri Lanka. Lying hidden in the laid back eastern coast, it lies in 312 kms from Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. Arugambay Surf Point is a small bay which has a very long, consistent, section-like right hand break. The area was inaccessible for almost 30 years to the general public when the LTTE terrorists operated in the area. With the defeat of the LTTE in 2009, ArugamBay has become one of the most sought after location for surfaces round the world.

In mid-2010 WSL hosted its first international surf contest in at ArugamBay. WSL repeated their contest tour in 2011 added a women’s competition to the men’s long board championship at ArugamBay.

Arugambay consists of three small villages where fishing and farming are the main occupations. Ulla is a fishing village situated at the corner of the bay with a natural harbor.

It consists mostly of a Tamil population. There are a few Sinhalese families as well and the village boasts of both a Sinhalese and a Tamil school. Perie Ulla consists mostly of a Muslim population and has a sub post office, a mosque and a Muslim school. Sinna Ulla also consists mostly of Muslims and has a mosque and a Muslim school.

The closest town to ArugamBay is Potuvil, another Muslim colony. Although there large number of hotels and cabana’s which cater to the surfers, there are no good star class hotels in this region.

2. Muhudu Maha Viharaya

Muhudu Maha Viharaya lies in town of Pottuvil boarding the sea in the east cost of Sri Lanka. Pothuvil is a muslim dominated area with very few other nationalities living there. The Muslim community in this area are the decedents of 4000 Muslim families who were given refuge by king Senarath in 1626 following their expulsion from the island’s Western coastal belt by the Portuguese led by Captain de Saa.

Muhudu Maha Viharaya which had been built over 2000 years ago had owned 264 acres during the British rule and by the time this site was gazetted in 1965, the land are has shrunk to 30 acres with over 200 acres grabbed by the Muslims. With the LTTE terrorists chasing away all the Sinhalese from the eastern region, this area went unchecked and by the time the war ended, further 27 acres has been grabbed by the Muslims leaving only 3 acres of Muhudu Maha Viharara.

During the LTTE war and thereafter, a single Buddhist priest has been living here protecting this site Muslim extremist elements who are continuously harassing the priest. When we visited the site the priest talked about the threats of the LTTE, how the surrounding Muslim landowners have pushed the temple boundaries so much that the temple owns only a small piece of land, days that he had lived without a single meal with almost non existent Buddhist community to support the temple, harassment of Muslim politicians, and the apathy of the government to protect the site.

3. Crocodile Rock

Crocodile Rock is today a tourist destination for its view of the pristine beaches of the east but unknown to many some drip ledge caves, rock cut steps and ruins of an ancient stupa can be found on this rock. The beach below this rock is a popular surfing point.These ruins has been declared as a protected archaeological site by the Government with the Gazette issued on 10th October 2014, and describes the location as follows ;“Small rock (crocodile rock) with drip legged caves, flight of steps, ruins of an ancient stupa at coastal belt situated towards east from Shasthrawela Vihara premises Shasthrawela village in Grama Niladari Division No. PP 06 Panama North in the Divisional Secretary’s Division, Lahugala in Ampara District in Eastern Province. (latitude 06º 80998′ N and longitude 081º 82424′ E).”The route to the Crocodile Rock is through the road to the Sastrawela Mani Naga Pabbatha Viharaya.

4. Kudumbigala Monastery

kudumbigala

Kudumbigala Monastery is located on the outskirts of Kumana National Park, about 30km south of A-Bay. It was built all the way back in 246 BC as a refuge for Buddhist monks that wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of the cities. The view from the top alone is worth the hike, just be aware of the wild animals. You could encounter elephants, monkeys, crocodiles and even bears. The best time to visit is early in the morning, as the heat in the middle of the jungle gets unbearable later in the day.

More about

Kudumbigala Monastery lies eleven miles from Panama and seventeen miles away from the Kumana Village.Kudumbigala monastic complex was built in 246 BC, during the time of King Devanampiyatissa. It was first established as a refuge for the Buddhist monks who wanted to get away from the busy Cities. Archaeologists had recovered over 200 rock caves belonging to this forgotten monastery. The inscriptions in Brahmi script and other evidence in the recently discovered cave, Maha Sudharshana Lena, shows that Kudumbigala was established as an Aranya Senansanaya in the pre-Christian era. A stone inscription has it that the Maha Sudharshana Lena was built and gifted to the Arahats by the Giant Warrior Nandimitra, one of King Dutugemunu’s “Dasa Maha Yodayas”, the ten giant warriors. In 1994, terrorists belonging to the LTTE hacked to death 17 innocent civilians in Panama. Kudumbigala had to be abandoned immediately as the Government failed to protect the place. Ethnic cleansing, under the cover of the most effective propaganda machine in the world today, has swallowed one third of the Sri Lankan land and 74% of the Sinhalese Buddhists do not even seem to know that. 5% of the Christian Sinhalese do not even seem to care. Today, there is no human habitation around this historic Aranya. Kudumbigala stands, towering in silent splendour, a solitary landmark and witness to the untold stories that get written into landscapes, buried, unearthed and erased yet once again. That is the sad tale of the Sinhalese civilization, which unfortunately do not deserve that fate.The importance of the Kudumbigala monastery cannot be expressed in words. The Only Cylindrical Dagaba to survive in Sri Lanka today, is in this monastery.LTTE terrorists have thrown tar on the head of the Buddha statue. That was the last warning given to the monks vacate the place.

5. Peanut Farm Surf Location

peanut farm

Peanut Farm Surf Location is another epic break south of Arugambay. Years ago actual peanuts are believed to have grown here but now only the name remains (Tsunami effect in 2004). Peanut Farm is a great unspoiled location with only one guest house made of Tree houses around the corner. Few locals surf Peanut Farm too. Peanut Farm is a very chilled out place to party away from the main stream guest houses in the main land. On your way to Peanut farm, the only sounds you would hear is elephant’s roar, and unseen surf breaking and makes you want to hurry your feet. Peanut Farm is a 7-800m battle through the trails if you go by walk or you can hire a tuk-tuk. It’s a good idea to make Peanut Farm Surfing a full day trip. Surf the close by Pottuvil point in the morning, camp and have snacks, take a stroll to Peanut Farm, and surf in the evening. You might need extra sunscreen because during the mid day, temperature will start to bake you.

6. Panama Surf Location

Panama Surf Location is a river mouth break which breaks only when the river mouth is closed. Panama is basically a right break but you get occasional lefts too making this one of the only few points for goofy riders. Water quality at Panama is doubtful if the river mouth is open. Panama is located 12km south of Arugambay, attached to the endpoint of the road towards Yala National Park. It is best to undertake a surf mission at panama in the afternoon as you have more chances of seeing huge crocodiles, on the sand banks in the small rivers sunbathe. An incredibly colorful bird life inhabit the lake 3 km west of the village.

7. Whiskey Point Surf Location

Whiskey Point Surf Location, tucked in behind Pottuvil town, is a beginners/intermediate wave in Arugambay that peels off the rocks. Non-surfers who visit the bay would come to Whiskey Point for practicing after their initial surf lessons at the baby point. The water will look turquoise–warm, and inviting and mostly what you will get is chest high sets with odd bigger ones . You can paddle out in the channel right besides the rocks. Whiskey point is one of the points in Arugambay that could work well even if the main point is flat. So there is no wonder that this is local’s second favorite point.

8. Sangaman Kanda

sangamankanda lighthouse

Sangamankanda is the most East point in Sri Lanka. The beaches are still un spoilt and as wide as 100 meters at some placed. The Sangaman Kanda Lighthouse has been built in 1947 with a height of 25feet. This has been destroyed during the 2004 tsunami and only a 15feet of the light house now remains.Sangaman Kanda lies on the Potuvil – Kalmune route. This is a small hillock lying close to the road. But to reach the light house which marks the most eastern point of the country, its said you need to walk through several private lands.

9. Eat

My favorite Arugam Bay restaurants

Arugambay has the perfect mix of local and trendy restaurants and cafés with low budget mind blowing foods. My favorite one is Maleena as they have the best Italian pizzas and the best wood fired pizza in the area. Their pizzas made in a wood-fired oven are super tasty Yum! The crust is just how I like, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and the super fresh mozzarella that they use makes it even better.

maleena

Gecko is the perfect spot to cool down , with a cold drink in hand. As you can see below the little establishment is quite easy on the eyes and what I would call Instagram friendly. But the best part is that they serve cake, smoothies, pizza and home made ice cream! so any place with the words homemade icecream on the sign is a winner in my book. Anyway, Gecoo is a great place to relax away from the crowds.

gecko

The next place is Hipster Hideout which is really suitable for backpackers and I really love to go there to chill with delicious smoothies and have a chat with nice people around the world. They have morning yoga lessons and family dinner with local foods. The best time to visit there is the night as many people gather to have fun.

hippster

Hideaway resortis another place to have coffees with different tastes but "lemon nana" is my favorite.

hideaway

The only property right in front of the main surf point in Arugam Bay, Upali Beach Surf Resort is an eco-friendly glamping resort offering unique cabanas with walls made out of thick canvas tent fabric. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant: Upali Beach Cafe from 7: 00 am to 7:00 pm. There is a 24-hour front desk at the property. As the property is located 350 metres on the beach, there is no road access for vehicles; the staff helps with bringing the luggage to the property. All rooms have an outside seating area where you can relax. The rooms also offer sea view. Upali Beach Surf Resort can arrange transfer from and to Arugam Bay, surf lessons, surfboard rental, safaris and fishing at a surcharge,

upali beach