The answer is YES! Is Arugam Bay Safe? East Coast Sri Lanka
“Is Arugam Bay Safe?” - Many people have e-mailed and phoned me to ask this before they got here - The answer is YES!
Arugam Bay is on the South East Coast of Sri Lanka, a beautiful natural area famous for its surfing and wildlife, the most unspoilt beach destination in Sri Lanka.
Current safety reports about the “Conflict” often state “The North & East Coast, as no go areas for visitors”
Arugam Bay is unique in that it is not part of the disputed area and historical conflict here in Sri Lanka; it is many years since any problems occurred here 15+
Do not get me wrong, there IS a real “Low intensity war” as it has been officially labelled, in the North, North West & North East but this is not a forum about the wrongs of war or the continued hardship people are suffering in those areas. Nor is it a political forum.
The British FOC warning, states it applies to areas “North of Pottuvil” (over the bridge from Arugam Bay). Now the FOC has to err to caution, in reality the area for many kilometres north of Pottuvil is quiet but is not an area tourist would normally visit accept “Potty Point” or Komari, which to date are safe and show no signs of unrest.
People on the West/South Coast rarely travel to Arugam Bay therefore have little or no real knowledge of the situation here; Drivers and other tourist connected individuals would prefer not to venture here, mostly because they are ill-informed of the situation and perhaps with a little bias to keeping tourist £, $, Euros with them, in these hard times.
People from Arugam Bay and East coast on the other hand frequently travel to & fro around the country, therefore are happy to risk coming home!
The bay is quiet now at what should be “Height of Season” partly because of this, although 100 or so came out of the woodwork for last night’s huge all-nighter at “Mambo’s Cafe”.
Families are here (family of 7 in the restaurant at the moment!) + Many other surfers, travellers and tourist’s alike.
So if a driver or tour company advises against coming to Arugam Bay, treat wisely, and check for yourself by contacting people who live here or one of the Arugam Bay Tourist/Hotel associations. If you need a driver & transport then we can arrange for you to be collected anywhere on the Island.
Public transport details remain the same as on the site but the bus journey is longer than stated due to the checkpoint searches on route.
I can be contacted at steve@roccoshotel.com or steve@lookinglost.com or +94 7766 42 991.
I will endeavour to update this frequently.
Steve Jones
Rocco’s Hotel
Arugam Bay