Arugam Bay is famous across the globe for its perfect waves and vibrant surf culture. However, even the most hardcore surfers need a rest day when their shoulders feel like noodles.

Fortunately, the East Coast of Sri Lanka is an incredibly diverse region packed with wildlife, history, and adventure. If you are traveling with non-surfing partners, or you just need a break from the saltwater, you will never run out of things to explore.

Here are the top 10 best things to do in Arugam Bay when you aren't in the water.

1. Take a Jeep Safari in Kumana National Park

While Yala National Park is more famous, it is often incredibly crowded with jeeps. Kumana National Park (located just an hour south of Arugam Bay) offers a much more peaceful and authentic wildlife experience. Known for its massive flocks of migratory birds, you are also highly likely to spot wild elephants, crocodiles, wild boar, and if you are very lucky, the elusive Sri Lankan leopard.

2. Climb Elephant Rock for Sunset

Located about 20 minutes south of town, Elephant Rock is a massive boulder formation jutting out into the ocean. While it functions as a great beginner surf spot when the swell is right, it is even better known as the ultimate sunset viewpoint. Hiking to the top takes a bit of scrambling, but the panoramic views of the untouched coastline are breathtaking.

3. Explore the Muhudu Maha Viharaya Temple

Located right on the sand dunes in neighboring Pottuvil, this ancient Buddhist temple dates back over 2,000 years. Legend has it that this is the exact spot where Princess Viharamahadevi washed ashore. It is a stunning, peaceful place to wander around, featuring ancient stone pillars and a beautiful white stupa overlooking the ocean.

4. Take a Lagoon Safari in Pottuvil

If you want to see wildlife without sitting in a jeep, book a local eco-tour through the Pottuvil Lagoon. Local guides will paddle you through the dense mangrove forests on a traditional wooden raft. It is incredibly quiet, and you can expect to see monitors lizards, macaques, eagles, and occasionally elephants drinking at the water's edge.

5. Stretch Out with Sunset Yoga

Surfing works muscles you didn't even know you had, particularly in your upper back and shoulders. To prevent soreness, there are several beautiful yoga shalas scattered around Arugam Bay offering drop-in classes. Practicing Vinyasa or Yin yoga while listening to the ocean waves is the perfect way to wind down.

6. Eat a Massive Sri Lankan Roti

You cannot visit Arugam Bay without indulging in the local street food. As the sun goes down, the main street fills with the sound of metal chopping on hot grills as vendors prepare Kottu Roti. Alternatively, grab a massive stuffed roti (filled with avocado, cheese, or spicy chicken) for just a few dollars. It is the ultimate post-surf fuel.

7. Visit Kudumbigala Monastery

Located deep in the jungle on the way to Kumana, this ancient monastic complex was built as a refuge for Buddhist monks seeking total isolation. The hike to the top of the main rock reveals the only cylindrical stupa in Sri Lanka, and offers sweeping, 360-degree views of the dense jungle canopy below.

8. Party at Whiskey Point

If you are looking for nightlife, Arugam Bay has a vibrant scene during the peak season. While the main town has plenty of beach bars, the Friday night parties at Whiskey Point (a 20-minute tuk-tuk ride north) are legendary. Expect bonfires on the beach, international DJs, and dancing until the sun comes up.

9. Take a Sri Lankan Cooking Class

Sri Lankan cuisine is rich, spicy, and heavily reliant on fresh coconut and curry leaves. Several local guesthouses and restaurants offer half-day cooking classes where you will learn how to grind your own spices, scrape coconuts, and prepare a traditional rice and curry feast from scratch.

10. Simply Relax in a Hammock

Sometimes, the best thing to do is absolutely nothing. Arugam Bay operates on "island time." Grab a fresh king coconut, find a hammock strung between two palm trees at a beachfront cafe, read a book, and enjoy the slow, tropical pace of life on the East Coast.

Maximize Your Trip

If you want to combine the best surfing with the best local activities (like the Kumana Safari), our all-inclusive Surf Camp Packages at Edgeway Surf are designed to give you the ultimate Sri Lankan adventure!