Surf Forecasts:
Arugam Bay surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 18s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with 3,800 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 18s period with SSW 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 1.1m 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 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 5PM. 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 (Mon 31st Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Arugam Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, brothers and sisters, let's look at what's on offer in Arugam Bay. It’s a bit of a rough start, to be honest. The swell is trying to show up, but this constant cross-onshore wind from the SSW is tearing the heart out of the waves. The water temp is a balmy 84°, which is about normal for the season.
For the coming week, don't push it. Sunday the 30th has a little knee-high, long-period groundswell (3ft from the SSW at 20 seconds) but it's blown out. The first real glimmer comes Monday morning, the 31st. The wind drops a touch and comes from the SE, which is offshore for the Bay. The swell is a solid 6ft from the SSW on an 18-second period. The energy is moderate but building (1819). That long period is perfect for a point break like Arugam Bay – long lulls, long rides, and proper shape. It's a bit much for beginners, but the quality for the rest of us should be there. Expect company, though.
Then it’s back to the grind. Onshore wind ruins the afternoon, and the rest of the week is a mix of fresh breeze, lumpy swell, and short-period chaos. The combined energy drops right off (545 on the 2nd, 574 on the 3rd). It’s not pretty.
The one to really keep your eye on, the true standout, is Saturday the 12th of September. It's a way off, so it's not a guarantee, but the models are ringing the bell. Saturday morning shows a glassy flat calm with no wind. You'll have 4ft of SSW swell at 14 seconds, bringing moderate energy (785). That is going to be smooth, clean, and beautiful for a long morning session. The afternoon picks up a touch (4ft, 15 seconds, 867 energy) with a little side breeze, still very surfable. That Saturday morning is your target.
So, there’s a real gap here. After the Monday morning (31st), you're looking at a blank run of about 12 days before the glass-off on the 12th. If you're holding out for a good wave, mark your calendar for September 12th.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 33°C on Sun morning, min 26°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Wed morning, min 26°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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 21 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 7 | SSW 13 | S 13 | SSW 6 | S 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 382 | 723 | 839 | 1195 | 1683 | 1645 | 1648 | 1179 | 3800 | 715 | 589 | 522 | 557 | 651 | 539 | 431 | 408 | 341 | 248 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 4:45AM0.22m | 4:21PM0.15m | 4:55AM0.22m | 4:44PM0.14m | 5:01AM0.21m | 4:59PM0.12m | 5:01AM0.20m | 4:49PM0.10m | 4:46AM0.19m | 3:07PM0.10m | 4:11AM0.19m | 12:48PM0.11m | 3:35AM0.19m | ||||||
Low Tide | 10:01PM0.02m | 11:05AM0.07m | 10:10PM0.04m | 11:29AM0.07m | 10:12PM0.06m | 11:54AM0.07m | 9:59PM0.07m | 12:24PM0.08m | 9:14PM0.08m | 12:50PM0.09m | 8:10PM0.07m | 12:23PM0.11m | 7:52PM0.06m | ||||||
 |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — |
 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:07 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 29 | 33 | 33 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 33 | 32 | 29 | 32 | 32 | 29 | 32 | 32 | 29 | 32 | 31 | 29 |
Feels °C | 28 | 34 | 33 | 29 | 34 | 32 | 28 | 33 | 32 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 33 | 31 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SE 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SE 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SE 8 | SSW 13 | S 13 | SE 8 | S 11 |
| kJ | 229 | 723 | 839 | 1195 | 1683 | 1645 | 1648 | 1179 | 18 | 715 | 589 | 28 | 557 | 651 | 24 | 431 | 408 | 34 | 248 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 21 | SSW 12 | SE 8 | S 12 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 8 | — | SE 9 | SSE 9 | S 11 | SE 9 | SE 8 | — | SE 8 | SSE 8 | S 21 | SSE 8 |
| kJ | 382 | 152 | 11 | 141 | 66 | 11 | 37 | 24 | — | 37 | 58 | 2 | 38 | 35 | — | 35 | 48 | 9 | 46 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SSE 10 | S 15 | SE 8 | — | — | S 11 | S 11 | — | S 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 16 |
| kJ | 18 | 30 | 17 | 11 | — | — | 21 | 21 | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 21 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 16 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 |
| kJ | 111 | 87 | 420 | 104 | 85 | 350 | 122 | 80 | 3800 | 186 | 100 | 522 | 131 | 103 | 539 | 132 | 66 | 341 | 80 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 5 | 1064 | 7 | 0 | 449 | 7 | 610 | 946 | 7 | 946 | 946 | 7 | 667 | 945 | 7 | 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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