Surf Forecasts:
Arugam Bay surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 15s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 13s period, SSW swell with 1,279 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 15s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Arugam Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Arugam Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 1.4m and 6s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Arugam Bay in the next 16 days are 2.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (+0530) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Arugam Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s switch it over to feet and miles. Rusty here, same story.
The first week is a tough one for Arugam Bay. The wind is mostly cross-onshore, the swell is messy, and the ocean is choppy. From the 19th of July through the 28th of July, it’s a whole lot of "poor surf conditions." The energy is weak to moderate, with combined swell energy values barely getting into the hundreds, and when it does, the wind just kills it. The water temperature is about average for this time of year.
There is a brief window on the morning of Tuesday the 21st of July. The wind goes glassy, and the swell is 4ft from the south at a very long 15-second period. That’s real groundswell energy. The energy is a solid 976 (moderate), and that glassy surface means clean lines. Arugam Bay is a point break, so that long period should work well. This is your best bet in the first week, but it’s short-lived – the afternoon wind turns onshore and it’s done.
From the 22nd through the 28th, it’s a brutal run of onshore winds and lumpy conditions. The swell gets bigger, over 7ft at times, but with short periods and strong cross-onshore winds, it’s just a mess. The combined energy climbs to 1165 and 871, but it’s not surfable for a good wave. If you’re into kiteboarding, this setup might be more your thing.
The real standout is on Saturday the 1st of August. The afternoon brings a 5ft swell from the SSW at a very long 16-second period, but the wind is cross-offshore from the west at 15 km/h (9 mph). That’s clean. The combined energy is high at 1743 (strong), and the forecast says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." This is the one to mark on your calendar. Arugam Bay (Sri Lanka) with a light offshore breeze and that much groundswell energy is going to hold some proper, long, peeling waves. It’s a wait, but it could be worth it.
The 2nd of August shows some promise in the morning with a 4ft SSW swell, 15-second period, and light cross-onshore winds, but it’s marginal. After that, the wind picks up again. So, the first week is mostly a write-off, but that glassy morning on the 21st and the clean, powerful afternoon of the 1st of August are the ones to watch.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Sun morning, min 26°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 32°C on Wed morning, min 26°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 7 | S 19 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 6 | S 11 | S 11 | S 6 | SSE 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 155 | 137 | 471 | 266 | 620 | 861 | 1004 | 743 | 610 | 913 | 608 | 1144 | 190 | 225 | 227 | 141 | 143 | 314 | 190 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 7:07AM0.19m | 7:06AM0.18m | 6:49AM0.17m | 6:22AM0.17m | 5:40AM0.17m | 4:52AM0.17m | 4:30AM0.18m | ||||||||||||
Low Tide | 10:52PM0.03m | 10:47PM0.04m | 10:27PM0.06m | 9:42PM0.07m | 8:49PM0.07m | 8:24PM0.06m | 8:29PM0.04m | ||||||||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — |
 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 30 | 32 | 32 | 29 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 32 | 32 | 29 | 32 | 30 | 29 | 32 | 31 | 29 |
Feels °C | 31 | 33 | 32 | 29 | 35 | 34 | 30 | 35 | 33 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 28 | 32 | 28 | 29 | 33 | 32 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 7 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | SSW 14 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 12 | S 12 | SE 8 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 15 | SSE 10 |
| kJ | 141 | 137 | 75 | 210 | 114 | 861 | 1004 | 743 | 610 | 913 | 22 | 15 | 190 | 225 | 17 | 141 | 143 | 84 | 190 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SE 8 | S 21 | S 19 | S 18 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSW 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SW 18 | S 18 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSW 17 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 18 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 16 | 11 | 80 | 266 | 620 | 11 | 11 | 71 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 21 | 59 | 29 | 39 | 6 | 105 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | S 16 | — | SE 9 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SE 8 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 18 | — | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SE 9 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | — | S 18 |
| kJ | 11 | 20 | — | 12 | 176 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 12 | — | 10 | 25 | 13 | 63 | 88 | — | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SW 6 | S 7 | SSW 7 | SW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | S 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | S 6 | SW 6 |
| kJ | 155 | 110 | 471 | 125 | 167 | 377 | 134 | 152 | 134 | 202 | 608 | 1144 | 135 | 42 | 227 | 104 | 57 | 314 | 133 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 5 | 945 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 945 | 7 | 946 | 946 | 7 | 667 | 946 | 173 | 7 | 946 | 7 |
Best forecast wave conditions in East Sri Lanka | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Sri Lanka | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Arugam Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Arugam Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Arugam Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Arugam Bay surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Arugam Bay) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Arugam Bay may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Are you planning a holiday in East Sri Lanka? If you are looking for accommodation near Arugam Bay, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in East Sri Lanka, consider staying in Ampara which is 53 km (33 miles) away. Other places in and around East Sri Lanka where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Kalmunai which is 64 km (40 miles) away, Badulla and Batticaloa.
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