How the world knew Arugam Bay
Nilma DOLE
Majority of the world, especially the West got to know about Arugam
Bay, only after the 2004 tsunami. There was a moving episode on
America's most-popular talk show, the Oprah Winfrey Show where a tsunami
survivor Nate Berkus was interviewed. The Chicago-based interior
designer Nate Berkus related his story on television about his vacation
going awry. He was relaxing at a beach cottage in Arugam Bay with his
partner photographer Fernando Bengoechea, when the deadly tsunami
struck. Even though Nate was spared, unfortunately, Fernando's life
wasn't. In this way, the kind American people decided it was high time
to help Sri Lanka and they funded the great Arugam Bay bridge which is
now operational today.
The shallow waves caressing the sand |
US 'Mercy Corps' funded by Oprah Winfrey's 'Angel Network', had a
huge fund-raising campaign TV series in the United States and the
Americans provided $134 million with $10 million going to build the
Arugam Bay bridge. The bridge was opened for traffic in 2008 where it
replaced the 1960s, original landmark box girder construction linking
Arugam Bay with Pottuvil. Travelling from Monaragala on the main A4
trunk road, an excellent shortcut exists at the 313km post near Lahugala.
This picturesque jungle road where elephants and monkeys roam, is
already partly paved and ends at the epicentre of Arugam Bay. Therefore,
one can avoid traveling through the frontial town of Pottuvil.
Despite getting devastated with the war and then, the tsunami, Arugam
Bay has finally being rebuilt as it has overcome all obstacles to be a
key destination offering some of the best tourist hot spots at an
economically-friendly price. In November 2007, Arugam Bay received the
Best Destination award at the World Travel Market World Responsible
Tourism Awards for their significant commitment to the culture and
economies of local communities and is making a positive contribution to
biodiversity conservation.
Arugam Bay is a scenic bay located in the southeastern coast of Sri
Lanka that falls into the dry zone. Located at a distance of 314km due
east of Colombo, it is a definitely a popular surfing and tourist spot
for having a good holiday at a good price. The bay hosts a large fleet
of fishing boats which operate off the beach. Many organizations donated
boats after the tsunami and as a result there are more fishing boats
than ever before.
The nearby (4 km) Muslim village of Pottuvil is the center of
commerce and transportation while tourist accommodations lie along the
beach to the south of Pottuvil. Arugam Bay (4 km) is also the gateway
and the only road access to the Yala East National Park. This area is
known as Kumana (44 km), to be reached via the Sinhalese settlement of
Panama (17 km) and the shores at Okanda (32 km).
Sunset at the Bay. Pictures by Indrajith Samajiva |
In the area of sustainable tourism development, Arugam Bay has
evolved as a nature-friendly destination where community members are now
changing their ways to help in nature conservation.
Deputy Minister Faizser Mustapha who is chairing a tourism committee
in the East said, "We aim to develop the hospitality industry in the
East with the participation of the Eastern Province Chief Minister and
some private sector companies in an environmentally-friendly manner".
However, simple measures like beach clean-ups should be done as the
main Arugam Bay beach is rather dirty with garbage strewn everywhere and
used as a toilet by some locals. The nearby beaches are more
esthetically pleasing and also have excellent waves. Arugam Surf Point
has a very long, consistent, section-like right hand break. The three
ethnic groups - Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims, work and live in harmony.
The population of 3,000 families is made up mostly of small family
managed hotels/guest houses and restaurants.
Surfers' Paradise
One of the world's best surfing destinations, Arugam Bay is a little
tourist gem known only to those who know the secret. The quaint village
is a quite and simple place to relax and unwind decorated with cute
guest houses, cabanas and beach cottages. The wildlife views bordering
the village is amazing and the breathtaking scenery filled with dazzling
bird-life is also wonderful.
Arugam Bay is definitely a surfers' paradise and a beautiful bay with
good surfing. The East coast offers infinite opportunities for all kinds
of water sports and underwater photography.
Surfing to heart’s content |
There are archaeological treasures making it a paradise for divers as
well. Arugam Bay is primarily a fishing village about 2 and a half
kilometres south of the small town Pottuvil at the southern part of the
east coast.
Arugam Point: This is the main break at Arugam Bay. The point is a
long right-hand point/reef break that breaks at the headland in front of
Arugam Bay. It is also the best swell magnet of all the points and you
can almost always guarantee that the Point will be a couple of feet
bigger than any of the other breaks. It breaks from anything between 2
and 6 feet but tends to max out after 6 foot. Due to its location it is
also attracts the biggest crowd but seems to be handle it as it often
sections in a few spots. On a good day it provides a clean wall that
will barrel in the sections and give you a 400-meter ride right through
to the inside. When you ride all the way through the best option is to
paddle a few yards to the beach and walk back out to the entry point
(booties are advisable as the reef starts from ankle depth).
There is also café run by some of the locals that provides a grant
vantage point to watch the action from and take in stock up on energy
for the next session.
Pottuvil Point: Pottuvil Point is every surfers dream of a tropical
wave. A long deserted sandy beach dotted with rather huge boulders at
the waters edge, make this wave a favorite with some of the season's
veterans.
The waterway... |
It is less crowded because of the 1/2 hour tuk tuk ride north from
Arugam Bay and Pottuvil point provides 800 meter rides from the outside
section right through to the beach on the inside. The unique thing about
this wave point is that for most of it, you can be working a four foot
face and be only a few meters from the beach as the wave grinds down the
sandy point. The outside section sucks up and throw's out as the swell
raps into the point giving a 30 meter wall to work with before it fades
as it hits deeper water for about 10 seconds. The wave then tends to
double up as it hits a shallow sand bottom section that will have you
hanging in there just as you try to make the next 40 to 80 meter
section. Failure can leave you standing in knee deep water with a
mouthful of sand if you manage not to get slammed into one of the
boulder's first. If conditions are right and you can make it through
this section then the wave peels perfectly meters from the beach for an
eternity until it closes out in the bay and you begin the long walk
back. Pottuvil Point needs a decent size swell before it starts working
at all and a large swell before the middle section is visible. If "The
Point at Arugam" is 6 feet, Pottuvil will be 4-5 feet.
Lazing in the setting sun |
Crocodile Rock: A 1/2 hour tuk tuk ride to the south will leave you
with a twenty minute walk along another beautiful beach to reach
Crocodile Rock. It isn't known if the place is named after one of the
rocks on the point or some of the large salt water crocodiles that live
in the lagoon 50 meters from the break but it is a beautiful spot for a
days' surf mission.
This is the smallest of the three points, and you need a medium to
large swell for Croc Rock to work at all. When the point is 6 feet, then
Croc Rock will be 3 feet. It is however, a perfect wave for the
beginner/intermediate or long board enthusiastic. A take-off section
over sand leads on to a long wall that breaks right down the point for
about 400 meters much like inside Pottuvil point.
**********
Oh Yea!
I'm at Arugam Bay!
I sat by the bay,
At Arugam Bay,
Lounging all day,
Making merry all the way!
I was in a hammock in solitude,
I had a relaxed attitude,
I thought nothing rude,
As I was indulging in everything good!
I like the surfing season,
It gives me all more the reason,
To behave like a mason,
And not to inflict treason!
Oh Yea! I'm at Arugam Bay!
- Nilma
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