Archive for the 'the bay' Category
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Are you an avid surfer?
If so, you may instantly recognize the name Arugam Bay. Even if you are not, you may be interested to learn more about this popular tourist attraction.
- The Surf Boards can be rented at many outlets at Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay is a sleepy little hamlet 320 km due east of Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital city and is ranked among the top ten surf destinations in the world. In this article I am going to tell you 5 good reasons you should make a visit to Arugam Bay.
Arugam Bay is not your typical surf destination with modern facilities. It is more a community based destination, where little guest houses and the odd star rated hotel lie side by side. This does not make it any less attractive to regular visitors who make repeat visits every year. Although this destination was devastated by the 2004 tsunami and the conflict, the enterprising community of Arugam Bay have brought the destination back to its old glory.
- Brilliant roads. by Maga, Photo by: Lovely Arugam Bay on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=108552872497906
Much improved roads, which have reduced travel times by almost an hour and a half and the return of peace has made Arugam Bay a destination you should not miss visiting.+
Here are the top 5 reasons to visit Arugam Bay:
- It is the third highest ranked among the world’s top ten surfing destinations. So, if you are a surfing enthusiast or are interested in learning to surf this is just the location for you. You need not even bring your gear along, as you can hire surfing gear from local outfits, who also provide training for newbie surfers. It boasts of over 10 surf points and the waves are great between April and October and it also is the scene for local and international surfing competitions staged during this period.
10 Surf Spots. Ideal for beginners. And professionals
- During November to April the sea is fine for swimming and snorkeling and conditions are just right if you are looking for a quiet get- away. The prices for accommodation can get pretty low and you can find a pretty decent room with basic facilities for around $15 per night.
Romantic Bungalows. To suit all budgets. Here is one of "Hideaways" best
- If you are a wild life enthusiast your excellent wild life sanctuaries are just minutes away from this destination. The Lahugala sanctuary famous for elephants is not more than a 20 minute drive from here. You may even pass some of these majestic beasts if en-route if you take the inland route to arrive here. The Kumana bird sanctuary lies just 10km south of Arugam Bay and birds from as far as Siberia are known to migrate to this location to escape winter.
Truly Free & Wild Elephants. Right next to the road. No fence!
- The sand dunes at Panama allow you to wander around an unspoilt stretch of land, and even go on a jeep safari to the dunes. The Pottuvil dunes are much closer, but it is situated in the midst of a busy little town, but none the less attractive in its own little way.
A shephard cowboy in the Panama dunes or the Wild East
- The area close to Arugam Bay also boasts a host of ancient monuments. The Kudumbigala archeological reserve is host to monastic caves dating from around the 12th Century AD. The ancient Okanda temple dedicated lord Skanda situated on a rocky outcrop south of Arugam Bay is believed to be featured in “Sinbad the Sailor’s tales”. Monuments related to the Southern kingdom of Magama almost a thousand years old are found in Pottuvil town, by the dunes and within the Lahugala sanctuary. They are said to be built to honour the mother of the warrior king Dutugemunu of the Anradhapura kingdom.
Ancient Temples and shrines. Adore the area all around Arugam Bay
The attractions of Arugam Bay are so, numerous and cater to visitors with different interests. It is just amazing that so many attractions should lie so close together. Coupled with the extremely friendly service by the villagers who run the facilities, I would strongly recommend that you visit here especially if you are on a tight budget.
- Friendly local management (Of the SVH and Hideaway shown here)
AUGAM BAY IS AN ALL YEAR ROUND DESTINATION.
With the best and most predictable climate in Asia!
The only dry and sunny place on the island this entire November 2010
A typical winter in Arugam Bay
http://ezinearticles.com/?Arugambay—5-Reasons-To-Visit-Arugambay-Surfers-Paradise&id=5523244
(3)Q: Where are the best places to surf that few people know about?
Arugam Bay. Renowned for its surf & backpacker heaven
By Rod Gilmour 4:01PM GMT 24 Nov 2010
Answer:
Further afield try Arugam Bay on the southern tip of Sri Lanka. Renowned for its surf, it is a haven few backpackers know about and is back on the map following the devastating tsunami.
The British Surfing Association estimate that there are around 500,000 regular surfers in the UK. With popularity gaining every year, those hardy souls who crave wave after wave are finding their territory spoilt by a multitude of weekenders. If you want to surf in relative peace then searching Britain’s coastlines for those secret waves is the answer. It also means days away. Sandwood Bay, about as far North as you can venture on the Atlantic west coast of Scotland, is one of those places. After leaving the car 4.5 miles from the beach, the first challenge is the walk with the surf boards and tents (don’t forget your map). Once there, you will be amongst only a handful of souls on one of the most isolated and picturesque beaches Britain has to offer.
Further afield try Arugam Bay on the southern tip of Sri Lanka. Renowned for its surf, it is a haven few backpackers know about and is back on the map following the devastating tsunami.
Arugam Bay – a true, unspoiled Beach Paradise
beach life Arugam Bay
Hello from Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka.
I’ve spent the last few days enjoying all that Sri Lanka has to offer; predominantly the beach, exquisite cuisine and personalities of the local people. Sri Lanka is an interesting place, with the 25 year civil war ending just ~1 year ago, I am curious what this place will look like in 5-10 years if the peace persists.
beach hut paradise
Arugam Bay is located near the “line” where freedom and fighting was. As a result it did not have many NGO’s help after the devastating tsunami of 2004 for safety concerns. High season has not started yet and you really get a good idea of what life is like here, if one were to live in this laid-back country of ~21 million people.
beach paradise arugam bay
There are few restaurants, hotels and of course, the ever present tuk tuk drivers. To get here one must take a tuk tuk from the bus station in Pottuvil. In the last few days, could count the other tourists seen on one hand. The beach is basically ours, shared with Continue reading ‘Finding Beach Paradise in Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka’
(1)And Arugam Bay? Sri Lanka’s number One (Surf & Wild Life) destination !
MagicSeaweed.com (file photo)
Germany also has relaxed travel advisories to German nationals visiting Sri Lanka.
The German Embassy said that a long standing travel advisory had been eased enabling German tourists to visit Yala National Park and Arugam Bay.
“The Island of Sri Lanka is a small universe; it contains as many variations of culture, scenery, and climate as some countries a dozen times its size . . . I find it hard to believe that there is any country which scores so highly in all departments – which has so many advantages and so few disadvantages. Lovely beaches, beautiful landscapes, impressive ruins, a vibrant culture and charming people.”
Sir Arthur C Clarke
THE RETURN OF JULES
Arugam.info Julian Wilson screen shot 2010-07-13 at 12.42.02 pm
The Sri Lankan Airlines QS event at Arugam Bay marked the return to competition for Julian Wilson, the first time he’d paddled out in a heat since severely injuring his ankle and concentrating on his much hyped film, Scratching The Surface. With the video all but in surf shops and his foot back to full strength he brought home the trophy, beating 19 year-old Amrican Nat Young in long clean right handers. He spoke to SW from California, preparing for the U.S open at Huntington.
Julian contemplates his cover shot on the latest Surfing World. All photos courtesy of Red Bull
SW: First of all, congrats on the win. We’re all stoked for you. How’d it feel to get back into a competition rashie?
JW: It felt really good to be competing and it felt even better to bring a rashie home with me because that meant I won.
What were your expectations going into the contest?
Any event I go to I have high expectations on myself. I went to Sri Lanka really wanting a win and put that pressure on myself from day one, it felt good to follow it through.
- Arugam.info Julian Wilson screen shot 2010-07-13 at 12.41.44 pm
The waves looked fun, the culture interesting. What’s Sri Lanka like as a contest destination?
As a contest destination I was really impressed with the wave. When you go somewhere for a contest its a lot different to going to film or shoot photos there. As long as the competition spot has decent waves and you are comfortable and happy then its all good, that was the case. Continue reading ’2010 Surf Champion Julian remembers Arugam Bay’
Colombo is said to be flooded.
However, yet another fine and dry day at Arugam Bay!
- Lazy, dry AbaY in Nov.: 11 / 11/ 2010 @ 11:11 hrs.
Good swell this weekend @ AbaY
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- Today’s BIG catch. Heading for the Beach Vadiya?
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- A dry, moderate, beautiful weekend at Arugam Bay
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- Good swell this weekend @ AbaY
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- across the Bay to Mambo’s
It may be a sleepy village but Arugam Bay in Sri Lanka is a great place to get some winter sun and hit the surf.
Arugam is also a traditional fishing Bay
You must move, it will charge,’ shouts a tuk-tuk driver as the elephant goes out of view to my right. Besides the threat of stampeding wild elephants, there’s a lot to take in on the A4 to Arugam Bay on Sri Lanka’s war-torn, tsunami-battered east coast. The road itself is being rebuilt and a hangover from 25 years of the civil war, which ended last May, means every road in the country is peppered with military outposts, roadblocks and army personnel.
- Sri Lanka’s best Surf spot. Is Arugam Bay
But Arugam Bay is shining a light for better things to come on the country’s untouched east coast. The colourful jumble of guest houses, cabanas and shops have been built and rebuilt. The slogans on some T-shirts state ‘The Birth Of A Surfing Nation’ but any Aussie surfer will tell you this point break has been a boarder mecca for years. Continue reading ‘Arugam Bay: Riding High on waves to Recovery’
(0)Done! Super Happy ARUGAM !
We managed to resurrect our popular Facebook page “Arugam Surf”.
Which was knocked off the net exactly 2 months ago.
Please join, participate, submit YOUR photos, videos. Let’s make this page even more popular.
Please understand that we had to add additional security features to avoid access to our hacker ‘friends’ in future.
At normal weekends, like today, Arugam Bay receives about 2,000 visitors. Most are day trippers at this time of season.
The next long , Poya Weekend (23rd.) will be much more busy.
In total, the Bay seen more than 10,000 foreign tourists and surfers this year.
In 2011 more than 100,000 are expected to visit popular Arugam Bay
More facilities and specially good quality rooms are needed now!
Becky Lucas tours Sri Lanka to reach the world’s new surfing hotspot
Arugam Bay: Sri Lanka's Surf Capital
I’m sitting in the back of a rather bespoke mini-van: fur lines the floor, stickers speckle the ceiling, and Boney M rocks the stereo. The car has already been stopped by the police twice – though not for the crazy interior. Rather, I’m in Colombo, heading from the airport to the train station, and, 16 months after the end of the civil war, police stops are as much a part of getting around as horns and dodging stray dogs. My destination? Arugam Bay, the country’s surfing capital. I’ve tried the sport in Dubai, though not mastered it, mainly due to the flatness of the Gulf – as well as the early starts. Instead of hiring a limo – an affordable option, no less – I’ve chosen to brave the 10-hour train journey from Colombo right to Arugam on the east coast.
My first lesson to impart: book ahead. Continue reading ‘My destination? Arugam Bay, the country’s surfing capital’
Sripala’ s Place is one of the most original and oldest establishment of Arugam Bay.
They are situated near famous Surf Point for many years.
Sripala & Family, at Arugam Bay
Arugam.info has just been notified of a legal case to relocate them.
As soon as we receive confirmation and further information, details will be published here.
For now, please send us your old memories so that we can add them to our “Old Arugam” section. To document the Bay’s history.
Send them to: arugam.info@gmail.com
And all will be published here:
http://www.arugam.info/old-arugam/
Arugam Bay Beach. A new, special Sri Lanka Post Office Stamp. Value Rs./40. Cost Rs./100
Situated in the dry zone of Sri Lanka, is a bay on the Indian Ocean known as Arugam Bay – a surfing paradise for the water-sporting enthusiast.
AbaY File photo. by Shane
Located in Arugam, this coastal haven has been through a number of unfortunate circumstances and one such stand out is the devastating Tsunami that wiped out half of Arugam Bay’s buildings, houses and its population in 2004.
However, due to its popular attractions and its waves that enthral a surfer, this bay has significantly recovered over the years. Tourists from all walks of life have come together to make Arugam Bay one of the country’s most preferred destinations.
The beach here is known among many as one of the best around the world and with its picturesque settings and its tranquil atmosphere, makes Arugam Bay an adventure for a traveller worth discovering. The Arugam Bay Surf Point is far more superior to the other parts of the beach due to the extensive work that has gone into it; this section of the bay was transformed from a wreck to a beautiful coastal paradise.
Arugam Bay is also known for its fishing hamlets and sea folk that gather themselves into fishing boats and sail the seas of the bay, bringing in a fine catch of ocean specimen for their families and to seek their daily livelihood.
Another spectacle at this place is its vibrant nightlife and parties almost during each weekend, so a traveller will be fascinated with the area’s activities and other relaxing recreations. Arugam Bay has also become a surfer’s foremost destination and as a result, a world-renowned surfing competition is held every year by international event planners at this prestigious venue.
This small remote area in the Island of Sri Lanka has a populace of over 2,500 residents and is probably one of the country’s most treasured coasts. Continue reading ‘Arugam Bay – A Surfers Paradise’
A message of Love from Arugam Bay
Bing a drum, a kettle. Or your Pot! 
And join the Global Million Beats/per hr. experiment !
This Saturday, 18:30 @ AbaY Beach Front of SVH
Background and further information:
There will be people drumming all over the globe, in homes, gardens, car parks, fields and beaches, in cities and villages alike. Join us at one of the locations below or in your own home wherever you are in Sri Lanka.
Please suggest locations convenient to you which you and your friends would like to gather at on the page so others nearby can join you. All that matters is the relevant time, tempo and good vibe.
The drumming will begin on a hilltop Continue reading ‘Arugam Bay is getting ready to drum’
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