Arugam Bay

Away from the war-ravaged eastern and northern areas of Sri Lanka and 186 miles / 300 kilometres from Colombo, Arugam Bay lies facing the beautiful blue Indian Ocean. The simple lifestyle of fishermen and the exotic luxury of a seaside holiday blend in perfect harmony at Arugam Bay.

The boost of tourism in the past 25 years has seen large numbers of foreign and local tourists visiting Arugam Bay for leisure and fun. Surf all-day and fishing expeditions with the local fisher folks are among the many attractions available here. The wealth of indigenous and migrant birds frequenting the beautiful lagoon of inland Arugam Bay is a wonderful sight. The ruins of impressive ancient Buddhist temples and Hindu Kovils (deity-abode) bring an imposing aura to the area. Sri Lanka's largest wildlife park, Yala National Wildlife Sanctuary and the most worshipped Hindu shrine in the country, Kataragama Devalaya, are easily accessible from Arugam Bay.

Tourists should note that the village surrounding Arugam Bay is not an affluent area and only a few luxury hotels are available in Arugam Bay. Most other accommodations are basic, with no air conditioning, hot water and other additional luxuries.