Arugam Bay : Surf & Yoga Guide
If there's one place we know by heart at The Salty Yogis, it's Arugam Bay. Also known as the magical bay, a little jewel in the East Coast of Sri Lanka, is the perfect blend of surfing and yoga. Therefore here is a list of places we tried and we loved! But please, don’t take our words for granted and explore!
When to go? The east season, how the call it here, goes from beginning of May till the end of September. It’s when the east coast is dry and when the waves are here! If you would like to travel outside of these months, many places will be closed in Arugam Bay so i't’s better you head to the south coast.
Let’s start with our top spots of yoga. Places we absolutely love! All of them usually have more then 1 class per day, so the offerings go from gentle relaxing flow, to dynamic vinyasa, or even ashtanga.
Bay Vista -
Bay Vista offers breathtaking views. Doing your standing postures while gazing at the horizon is an experience like no other. We warmly recommend you to attend the Hatha class with Arith here—it's a must!
Hideaway -
Walk to the back of the complex, and you will find a beautiful wooden shala where different types of yoga are taught. You also have regular breath classes and cacao ceremonies!
Waypoint -
Waypoint is budget-friendly with a nice shala and a variety of classes throughout the day. It's also a great place to meet new people and create your little community if you've just arrived.
The Yoga Shack -
Beyond the beauty of the Shala and its wooden deck, The Yoga Shack is the perfect place for those curious about experiencing different types of yoga and workshops. From ice baths to Embodied Yoga, Tantra workshops, and Ecstatic Dance, you're sure to find new activities to try.
Stay Golden -
Just a bit outside of town (so super relaxed) you find Stay Golden. The yoga shala is super airy and the yoga classes are on point! They often organise special events like community classes. The little extra: you can use their pool before and after the yoga class, so enjoy your chill day here!
Small guesthouses -
There are also many little guesthouses like Jama’s, or Jungle House offering yoga lessons during the week. They usually have a smaller shala, which makes the vibe cozy and ideal to meet fellow yogis.
Our best advice: follow your intuition and explore the magical bay to try different yoga styles and teachers. See what resonates with you and enjoy the unique energy of Arugam Bay.
Tip: join the instagram pages of the yoga shalas, they will publish their schedule on a weekly/daily basis
And then finally a little extra for you, there is a whatsapp group where all the yoga events/worksops/masterclasses are published. Get in touch with us if you want to be added and find all the juicy stuff that is organised.
Let's dive now into the best surf spots around the bay. The good thing about Arugam Bay is that you can surf at any time during the day. No need to check the forecast and tide, you can have a visual look from the beach and just grab your board.
Main Point -
Main Point is where the action begins. This wave is strictly for intermediate and advanced surfers, featuring a moderately steep take-off and breaking over a waist to chest-deep mixed sand and reef bottom. The risks here are low—you’re unlikely to hit the reef unless you get caught too far inside.
Main Point has 2 to 3 distinct sections:
1. First Section: A fast wall section where you need some speed to make it through. It’s very crowded and the competition is high.
2. Medium Point, as called by Joana, this section is closer to the reef but less crowded.
3. Baby Point: As the wave heads into the bay and loses power, it becomes Baby Point. Although technically part of Main Point, Baby Point offers shorter rides, a sandy bottom, and a gentle takeoff perfect for beginners.
Peanut Farm -
Just 20 minutes south of Arugam Bay is Peanut Farm, a fun and vibrant surf spot with two breaks. This spot has a locally run beach bar inside an old abandoned hut, a volleyball net made from fallen tree branches, a makeshift mini golf course, and a beach campsite where you can throw up your tent. It's the perfect place to spend the entire day, catching waves and soaking up the laid-back atmosphere.
Elephant Rock -
Elephant Rock is a fun right-hand point break ideal for beginners and intermediates. It features a mellow takeoff and a sandy bottom. Just be careful—there have been sightings of crocodiles in the sea water here!
Pottuvil Point -
A short distance south of Whisky Point (who unfortunately has not been working since many years), you'll find Pottuvil Point, another excellent spot for intermediate surfers. It offers a slightly more mellow takeoff and shorter rides compared to Whisky Point.
Panama Point -
For those looking to venture off the beaten path, Panama Beach is a great spot to explore. After a 1km dirt track through pine tree forests, you'll arrive at a deserted black beach with an abandoned half-built hotel and an isolated cove. Here, you'll find a lovely small right-hand point break perfect for beginners. It's an idyllic and secluded spot where you can enjoy the waves all to yourself.
Whether you're an experienced surfer seeking the thrill of Main Point or a beginner looking for gentler waves at Baby Point or Panama Point, Arugam Bay has something for everyone.
Voilà, we hope we have helped you a little bit further on where to find the yoga and the surf in Arugam Bay, if you have more questions, you can always reach out!
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