Arugam Bay is famous for its world-class, advanced point breaks like Main Point. But what many travelers don’t realize is that Arugam Bay is also one of the best places in the entire world to learn how to surf.

The east coast of Sri Lanka is blessed with incredibly forgiving, sandy-bottomed points that produce soft, rolling waves—ideal for practicing your pop-up and catching your first "green wave."

Here are the top 5 beginner surf spots in Arugam Bay you need to know about.

1. Whisky Point

Located about 15 minutes north of Arugam Bay via tuk-tuk, Whisky Point is a beginner's paradise. The waves here break off a rocky outcrop and reform over a shallow sandbank, creating fat, slow-moving walls of water. It is incredibly forgiving, making it the number one choice for first-time longboarders.

2. Peanut Farm

An absolute favorite among our students. Tucked away near a beautiful lagoon, Peanut Farm actually consists of two main peaks. The inside section is a soft, peeling right-hander that breaks in waist-deep water. It's safe, fun, and offers a stunning, natural backdrop complete with wild peacocks and monkeys in the surrounding trees.

Want to surf Peanut Farm safely? Join one of our highly-rated Beginner Surf Lessons. Our ISA-certified local instructors will take you to Peanut Farm and provide the premium soft-top boards you need to succeed.

3. Baby Point

You don’t even need a tuk-tuk for this one! Baby Point is located right at the very end of the famous Main Point sweep. By the time the massive waves from Main Point wrap all the way into the bay, they lose their power and become perfect, gentle rollers. It is heavily protected from the wind, making it glassy and smooth almost all day.

4. Elephant Rock

Elephant Rock is stunning. Walking to the point involves crossing a small lagoon and climbing past a massive rock formation. The wave itself is a long, rolling right-hander. While the takeoff can sometimes require a bit of paddling effort, once you are on the wave, it offers arguably the longest ride for a beginner in the area.

5. Pottuvil Point (The Inside Section)

While the outside of Pottuvil Point is reserved for advanced surfers during large swells, the inside section on smaller days is fantastic. It is less crowded than Whisky Point and offers exceptionally long rides that are perfect for practicing your turning techniques as you advance from beginner to intermediate.

Skip the Guesswork with Edgeway Surf

The biggest mistake beginners make in Arugam Bay is renting a board and guessing which spot to go to. Because Arugam Bay consists of point breaks, the waves change drastically depending on the daily sandbank shifts.

At Edgeway Surf, our expert instructors take the guesswork out of your trip. We assess the conditions every morning and take our students to whichever beginner break is safest and offering the best shaped waves that day.

Book your Arugam Bay surf lessons today and catch your first wave with the best local guides in town!