Arugam Bay is probably the best beach in Sri Lanka by quite a distance. The only reason which leaves it unvisited by any visitor to Sri Lanka is the problem of getting there and coming back, especially because there are only busses as public modes and taxis cost a lot.
To help all visitors to Arugam Bay, here is the bus timetable from Arugam Bay as of 2018.
Here’s a fun fact – “Arugam Bay is among the top 50 best places to surf in the whole world.” I kid you not, and my experience there definitely backs it up just fine.
Sri Lanka is one of those countries, where you can enjoy the beach, experience rich culture, trek mountains and witness rich biodiversity at a very low cost and Arugam Bay as a world class surf destination makes Sri Lanka just irresistible.
What’s so stunning about Arugam Bay is the nature surrounding it. On my way to a point break, I saw hundreds of peacocks, a few crocodiles and some elephants too. Wow!
Unlike reaching any other destination, there is no easy way to get to Arugam Bay. However, trust me, it is worth the effort. My next blog post will be on the different ways to get there. So stay tuned!
From pro surfers to beginners, this is the ideal spot. The wave is just mesmerizing to watch. Youll be amazed to see how the wave just gathers up from nothing and ends up meters high before it breaks. If you are that barrel freak, you are very likely to get that Insta-perfect shot of you surfing a barrel.
You can also learn to surf. If you’re considering Weligama or Arugam Bay for a surf lesson, it really doesn’t matter which destination you chose, because the prices are similar. You’ll find lots of surf schools along the beach stretch. All you have to do is to walk into one.
If you have a broken surfboard, get it repaired at a local shop. The service there is on point!
One of my later posts will cover the different point breaks.
Grab a lounge chair and go ahead. There’ll be enough space along the entire coast for a nice and a calm read with slight music and the sound of the waves. Grab a beer, sit down, relax and get lost in a world of your own.
Looking for that perfect tan? Arugam Bay would never disappoint you.
The east coast is generally, considered to be hotter and sunnier than the west coast. If you are early enough, you’ll be able to have a lounge chair of your own. well, if you’re late, you can still grab and cloth and lie down on the sand. Whatever you choose, it’s the perfect spot to soak yourself in the scorching sun.
I just love the food over there. There’s so much variety and taste to every dish that you get at Arugam Bay. You can chose from a range of western to authentic dishes, from pizzas to pastas and from Sri Lankan rottis to kottus.
I had pizza on my stay at a place known as “Pizza Point.” It was simply delicious! The portions were huge and it tasted so much Italian!
If you need to cut costs on your food, go try some authentic dishes. Theyre filling but yet lower on costs.
During season, somebody, somewhere along the beach stretch throws a party. The best thing about beach parties apart from the drinks and dancing, is that you get stuff for free. I’ve seen lots of offers such as, “buy one- get one cocktail free”, “free snacks while you watch the FIFA World Cup on a big-screen at the beach.” Yes, you read it right. On a big-screen at the beach! Amazing!
Don’t surf? You still got plenty of stuff to do here at Arugam Bay like going on a safari. The Kumana National Park is home to lots of different kinds of animals including elephants and a large number of migratory birds. It costs around Rs. 4,500 ($30) per person (including the ticket and the jeep) for a safari in Kumana.
You can also safari around the lagoon. You’ll still see elephants, crocodiles and tons of peacocks for a lesser rate of around Rs. 1,500 ($10) per person.
Arugam Bay is just too awesome to be written down on one post. Stay tuned, as I reveal all you need to know about Arugam Bay.
Weligama is located in the south coast of Sri Lanka and is visited by many tourists all year round. It’s close to the many other tourist attractions in the south including, Galle, Mirissa and Hikkaduwa.
Unlike many other beaches in the East Coast, Weligama is very easy to get to. Be it road or rail, you can easily get there.
Weligama is a train station in which all trains stop at. As at June 2018, there is a train which leaves Colombo at 6.30 a.m. and reaches Weligama at around 11. There is also a special train which is very much faster and barely stops in between. However, it only operates on public holidays and weekends. It leaves at 6.00 a.m. and reaches Weligama at 8.40 a.m. Travelling by train is also the most convenient mode if you are with your surfboard. It would only cost you $1.5 (Rs. 240) to get there.
Travelling by the normal public bus will give you the creeps. However, it’s the only option available if there are no trains or luxury buses. You can also take the luxury bus from Colombo to Matara which takes the express way and reach Matara and take a tuk tuk or a bus from Matara to Weligama.
Technically, they call the period from April to September off season. Nevertheless, I find no reason to call it off season. There are two point breaks in the Weligama Bay and when the swell is low in one the other takes over. So it works well all year round. I personally prefer the off season because there are very less people and sometimes you’ll find as the only surfer at the beach.
Is that even a question to ask? Weligama is the ideal spot to surf. The beach is shallow and you can literally stand on your feet even at the place where the waves take off. The swell and the height of the waves are just memorising to watch even if you’re not surfing.
The beach is also regarded as one of the best beaches to learn surfing. You’ll find surf schools throughout the long stretch of the beach and all you have to do is to run into one. It’s pretty much guaranteed that they’ll make you stand on the board.
Weligama is a golden stretch of beach with the sun right on top of you. You’ll find lounge chairs on the beach and it’s free to sunbathe. It’s also so much fun to go take a dip in the sea. Like I said it’s so shallow and has very less people off season.
Most surf schools offer yoga sessions and most surfers do yoga before or after they surf.
I’ll do a complete review of the restaurants close by. However, the food is generally regarded to be exquisite. Certain restaurants like W15, Ceylon Sliders and The Marriott are constantly filled with lots of touristswho just visit them for the good food that they offer.
I would regard Weligama as one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka, both for surfers and non-surfers. If you’re visiting Sri Lanka, don’t go back without stepping foot on the Weligama Beach.
Thanks for joining me!
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
Salty Adventures 