Routinely ranked as one of the best spots in the world for surfing, Arugam Bay is a magnet for surfers and water sport enthusiasts. The bay particularly attracts visitors during June time for the annual Arugam Bay Beach Festival.

Situated on the east coast of the island Arugam Bay is unique. Its position and relief generates plenty of high waves during the summer months and, compared to other coastal regions, doesn’t get affected by the annual monsoons.

During the peak summer season (between April and October) there is an influx of visitors, both from across Sri Lanka and from around the world who are drawn to the large waves. A testament to this is the large number of international surfing competitions that occur at Arugam Bay, including the very popular Red Bull Ride My Wave contest.

Visiting Arugam Bay during these festival months is highly recommended for avid surfers. Although the guest houses are fairly basic, the bay area itself is well looked after and preserved making it a great spot to enjoy the stunning Indian Ocean.

For families looking to surf in Sri Lanka we usually recommend Weligama beach on the south coast. Although the waves are not as large as those at Arugam Bay it is generally a much better option for those looking to learn to surf with a selection of great surf schools along the beach making for a fun family trip when visiting during your Sri Lanka family holiday.

If you’re looking to visit Sri Lanka this summer, please get in touch. We have a popular selection of Sri Lankan tours and specialise in tailor-made holidays to Sri Lanka!