Arugam Bay Reviews and Ratings
(East Sri Lanka)
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Visitor reviews of Arugam Bay surf break
(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
“Visited in shoulder season in May and surf was OK but crowded and full of drop ins and rude people. Preferred Welligama as the beach breaks are spread out and the atmosphere much more friendly.
If you are an experienced surfer most of the breaks around Arugam are more suited to beginners.
Regardless of the crowded surf it is a beautiful area and the Sri Lankans are lovely people.”
Jeff from AUSTRALIA - 25 May 2018
Arugam Bay Ratings
Overall: 3.0. Based on 7 votes and 6 reviews. Vote
Quality on a good day: 3.3(1 star: Even when the swell and winds are optimum, the waves are poor quality, 5 stars: If conditions are right, the waves will be World Class). |
Consistency of Surf: 2.7(1: Arugam Bay is a fickle surf spot that only works a few times a year. 5: Reliable year-round spot). |
Regional Rating: 4.2(1: Arugam Bay is usually very poor quality compared to other spots in East Sri Lanka. 5: the best break in East Sri Lanka). |
Difficulty Level: 2.9(1: Suitable for Groms. 3: Intermediates. 5: Expert tow-in surfers only). |
Onshore Wind: 2.3(1: even a light onshore ruins the surf. 5: Arugam Bay can offer better rides with a light wind behind them). |
Other Options: 2.8(1: If wind or tide conditions are poor at Arugam Bay, it will be poor everywhere nearby. 5: other locations nearby provide a rich variety of wind and swell exposures). |
Wind and Kite Surfing: 3.8(1: An unsuitable spot. 5: Wind and wave conditions at Arugam Bay are often excellent). |
Water Quality: 3.8(1: Known health risks from pollution. 5: Never any pollution). |
Crowds: 2.3(1: Often too crowded. 5: Arugam Bay is an isolated spot where you are unlikely to meet other surfers). |
Access: 3.4(1: Getting to Arugam Bay requires an overland expedition or chartering a boat. 3: A 30 minute walk from the nearest parking. 5: Park a vehicle right by the break). |
Scenery: 3.5(1: An ugly industrial backdrop. 5: A spectacular setting). |
Local Attitude: 2.5(1: Locals are hostile to visitors. 5: Either there are no locals who surf, or else they are accommodating and friendly). |
Accommodation: 4.0(1: No convenient places to stay indoors. 5: A wide variety of accommodation near Arugam Bay for all budgets from hostels to luxury hotels). |
Camping: 1.2(1: Camping at Arugam Bay is not possible. 3: Camping tolerated but no facilities. 5: A nearby camp ground has excellent facilities and a good vibe). |
Entertainment: 2.6(1: Besides the surf and the solitude there is nothing to do when it is flat. 5: Arugam Bay is in such an interesting area to visit that getting wet is a bonus). |
Equipment and Repairs: 3.2(1: Nothing can be sourced, not even wax. 5: Quality surfing equipment can be purchased or hired. Major repairs can be fixed too). |
Eating: 3.4(1: Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. 5: A wide variety of places to eat and drink at Arugam Bay, from fast food and cafes to fancy restaurants). |
Drinking: 3.2(1: Alcohol is not allowed in the country. 5: There is an excellent pub near Arugam Bay where you can stay or park a camper van overnight). |
“Don't believe the haters! Arugam Bay is a great place to surf... as long as you don't expect that you can be the sole surfer in the water at the peak of the season.
Arugam Bay offers 12 beautiful breaks in a 20km range, many options for beginners and advanced surfers.
Reading the other comments, it's true that some breaks are sometimes too crowded but just like anywhere else in the world, but mostly I regret that all beginners are not riding soft tops like they stated, would be less dangerous for other people (like everywhere else in the world)
Regarding locals, they are pretty fair as long as you respect them, nothing like localism here.”
Alex from FRANCE - 09 Jul 2017
“I agree with the above, although we had a 2m swell roll through whilst I was there and it was heaps of fun some great walls and barrel sections at the right spots to be had. Other than that, most of the time, 2-4ft slow waves with heaps of people and a lot of learners. Shameless drop ins and boards flying everywhere due to people not knowing how to duck dive (even locals).
Expensive to stay there although the places are of good quality.
Most of the locals we have met have a cash grab attitude, they are not very hospitable and they only speak or do stuff for you for money in return.
Bring your own surfboard, zinc, sun screen, wax, leg ropes, ding repair kit! Else you may get stung getting any of the above. (Some places sell sun screen for 24$, a bar of wax is 8$) I guess because they can.
Overall it is an ok place to come and surf, less crowds than Indo in June/July but more expensive and the wave quality is very different.”
Rich from SRI LANKA - 07 Jun 2017
“If your after quality wave you can do better than Arugam Bay. The surf is flat or small most of the time and more suited to beginners. Expensive place to get to and to stay. Lots of beginners on big soft top boards with no idea so expect to be run over run into and dropped in on!! Lots of other places have waves in July without the gumbies on foamies and are easier and less expensive than Arugam.”
Gerokit from AUSTRALIA - 07 Jul 2015
“Arugam Bay isn't for surfers looking for a quality wave. Most of the wave are small and gutless, more suited to beginners. Every break has learners on soft top boards that have no idea of how to keep out of the way. If your up for a bit of fun on a soft top and don't mind getting run over a few time or hit in the head then it's ok. If your up for quality waves go somewhere else”
Gerokit from SRI LANKA - 07 Jul 2015
“I visited Sri Lanka many times, but it is now clear that the locals of Abay have forgotten where there first surfboards came from. They are rude and untrustworthy!! Choose another destination!! Abay is Over...”
John stanley from THAILAND - 21 Jul 2014
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