Being a naturally crafted surfing location, Pottuvil Point is regarded as one of the world famous surfer’s dream tropical destination. A die-hard Surfer finds this spot as a precious venue and most of them repeat visiting Pottuvil Point annually.
Idyllically located just north from Arugam Bay on the Eastern part of Sri Lanka, Pottuvil Point is a large peninsula where the thriving waves are marked with some huge boulders. Generally Pottuvil Point is deserted due to its location which needs considerable travelling from places like Arugam Bay. However the perfect geographical as well as climatic conditions that it offers for the Surfers, uncompromisingly invite them to enjoy highly thrilling surfing in Sri Lanka at this spot.
The spot for Surfing in Pottuvil Point could be simply described as a right handed point breaks with sand bottoms. Pottuvil point provides 800 meter rides from the outside section right through to the beach on the inside. The unique thing about the rising waves at Pottuvil Point is that for most of it you can be working a four foot face and be only a few meters away from the beach. The waves break very closeto the beach as they wind their way down the point and it is easy to step off, sometimes almost on to the dry sand. These are great for 20-30 seconds nose rides too. Since the waves splash very fast and generally they are barreling, once they break right along the shore, the Surfers have to get out and walk back to the waves.
Surfing here could be very interesting as the wave is huge and barreling. The outside section sucks up and throws 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 for all you are worth just to try and make the next 40 to 80 meter section.
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 makeable.
Pottuvil Point is not only one of world’s best surfing points, it is also a multi-faceted tourists destination that stunningly displays the untouched lagoon to its west and the mighty Indian Ocean to its east. A lagoon safari at the time of the sunset where seeing wild elephants, huge crocodiles and a range of migrating birds is one of such fantastic views that Pottuvi Point offers to the travelers. Fishing activities by the local fishermen also could be witnessed at Pottuvil Point.