Surf Forecasts:
Arugam Bay surf forecast from 6 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 15s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 17s period, SSW swell with 1,203 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 15s 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 Friday (Sep 11) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 1.6m and 7s 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 1.4m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (+0530) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Arugam Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break down the next couple of weeks for Arugam Bay. It’s a tale of two halves: a lot of blown-out days, but a couple of windows of pure glass that will make the wait worthwhile.
The forecast opens with a flat spell of poor conditions. From Sunday the 6th through Wednesday the 9th of September, forget it. The wind is cross-onshore, moderate to fresh, and it’s tearing up the surface. Swell heights are bouncing from 0.9m to 2.3m, but the energy is moderate (295 to 698), and it’s just lumpy, choppy, and not worth the paddle.
Thursday the 10th of September offers a hint of hope. The morning has a 0.9m swell from the SSW with a very long period of 18 seconds, and the energy is moderate (793). But the wind is still a gentle cross-onshore, so it’s only marginal at best.
Now, the real standout. Friday the 11th of September, the morning session is the one you’ve been waiting for. The wind goes glassy, and we’ve got a 1.2m SSW swell with a 15-second period. The combined energy is strong at 1037. That’s clean, powerful groundswell, and the direction is a perfect match for the optimum SE swell direction at Arugam Bay. The point will be working. Just know that crowds are possible here.
Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th of September are marginal again, with light winds and long-period swell, but the wind isn’t clean enough to make it a top pick.
Then, another cracker. Tuesday the 15th of September. The morning and afternoon both go glassy. The morning has 1.2m SSW swell with a 15-second period and strong energy (1044). The afternoon is 1.1m with the same long period and strong energy (1056). This is textbook Arugam Bay. Clean, lined up, and perfect.
After that, the wind turns onshore again from Wednesday the 16th of September. By the 19th and 20th of September, the swell is big – 2.3m to 2.5m from the SSW – but the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s going to be a messy, powerful beast. The combined energy is strong to very strong (2300 to 2866), but it’s only for the experts, and even then, it’s not the best quality.
So, the short version: suffer through the first week, then get on it for the glassy mornings on Friday the 11th and Tuesday the 15th of September. The long-range stuff is big but blown out.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Sun morning, min 26°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 33°C on Wed morning, min 26°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SSE 10 | S 6 | S 10 | S 10 | S 6 | SSW 18 | SSE 9 | S 6 | SSW 16 | SSE 9 | S 7 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 19 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 253 | 160 | 202 | 126 | 164 | 160 | 180 | 184 | 380 | 269 | 121 | 480 | 249 | 448 | 813 | 696 | 637 | 491 | 584 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 3:21AM0.20m | 1:53PM0.14m | 3:22AM0.21m | 2:17PM0.15m | 3:31AM0.23m | 2:38PM0.15m | 3:44AM0.23m | 2:58PM0.15m | 3:56AM0.24m | 3:17PM0.15m | 4:06AM0.23m | 3:35PM0.15m | 4:14AM0.23m | ||||||
Low Tide | 9:38AM0.10m | 8:14PM0.03m | 9:37AM0.09m | 8:30PM0.02m | 9:48AM0.08m | 8:45PM0.01m | 10:02AM0.08m | 9:01PM0.01m | 10:17AM0.07m | 9:14PM0.02m | 10:29AM0.07m | 9:27PM0.03m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | |  | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — |
 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 32 | 31 | 28 | 32 | 31 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 29 | 33 | 33 | 29 | 33 | 33 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 29 |
Feels °C | 28 | 32 | 30 | 27 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 28 | 33 | 33 | 28 | 34 | 35 | 31 | 35 | 32 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSW 17 | S 10 | S 10 | SE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSW 16 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SSE 10 | SSW 6 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 208 | 160 | 93 | 125 | 164 | 32 | 153 | 184 | 173 | 173 | 121 | 37 | 157 | 51 | 813 | 696 | 637 | 491 | 478 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | S 13 | — | S 16 | SE 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | S 18 | SSW 16 | SE 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSW 6 | SE 10 | SSW 19 |
| kJ | 253 | 125 | — | 126 | 23 | 68 | 180 | 164 | 107 | 269 | 92 | 108 | 249 | 168 | 99 | 64 | 104 | 94 | 584 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 20 | S 17 | — | SE 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 20 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 18 | SE 9 | SW 15 | SSW 15 | SE 9 | SSW 18 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 9 | SSW 21 | SSE 10 |
| kJ | 30 | 151 | — | 22 | 72 | 75 | 36 | 58 | 6 | 59 | 104 | 73 | 39 | 448 | 67 | 102 | 52 | 404 | 86 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | S 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | S 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | S 6 | SW 6 | SSW 6 | S 7 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SSW 7 | SW 6 | SW 7 | SSW 7 | SW 6 |
| kJ | 58 | 32 | 202 | 78 | 26 | 160 | 81 | 40 | 380 | 77 | 64 | 480 | 99 | 126 | 395 | 131 | 244 | 197 | 112 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 171 | 945 | 945 | 7 | 610 | 945 | 610 | 610 | 949 | 7 | 610 | 1064 | 7 | 7 | 610 | 7 | 0 | 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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