Peanut Farm
How to get there
As you travel along the B374 Pottuvil – Panama Road, some eight kilometres past Arugam Bay, you will see a Naval checkpoint to your left and the turn off for the Radella Tank to your right. Next to the checkpoint is an open flat plain.
The access track to Peanut farm is located midway along the plain, unmistakable by its tyre tracks. Once on the track, it follows a circular trail across the plain, before entering a jungle patch. Follow the track till you reach a ‘T junction’ with a Navy camp entrance to your right and peanut farm to your left. To get to the surfing point, cut across the abandoned huts and head to the beach, the Point is on your right.
This is one of the very first ‘underground’ old secret surfing points in Arugam Bay. It takes its name from the numerous peanut trees that were farmed on property in the past. During the early 2000’s the owner setup some tree houses and huts and used to play host to die-hard surfers who preferred to stay at Peanut Farm in order to make most of their surfing holiday.
During the 2011/12 period, Peanut farm was taken over by the Navy who have started some modern constructions on the property, said to include a President’s House and resort for Naval officers. Today, sadly the tree huts are no longer used, but the sheer natural beauty of the location and the excellent surf keep the crowds coming. The Sri Lanka Navy runs a small stall serving refreshments here.
The Point extends to the right, passing the lagoon mouth and finishes by a set of boulders perched at the very corner. For those who don’t surf on curious onlookers, climbing the rock is a perfect way to catch the action below.
Panama Point
How to get there
Panama Point is located at the extreme end of the B374 Pottuvil – Panama Road. After you pass the Panama town, keep going straight and the road will narrow, passing a poignant cemetery along the way (mostly young soldiers who perished in the civil conflict). Follow the road for some two kilometers as it leads directly to the beach and Navy checkpoint. En route if you have a 4WD, the inviting sand dunes might tempt you, just like in Dubai!
This remote point is set against a backdrop of large boulders. Given its distance, it is irregularly frequented by surfers of all abilities. Climb the various rocks to get better views. From this point onwards, the coast joins the Yala National Park, off limits to surfers!
Panagala Point
How to get there
Midway from the center of Panama town make a right and follow that road for half a kilometer before making a right onto a dirt access road that leads to the B355 Panama – Kumbukkana Road.
Halfway down this road make a left turn and follow the road, bearing right until you reach an electrified elephant fence. Follow the dirt path along the elephant fence till you hit the coast. The point is just there to your right. Can be tricky to find.
This is a newly discovered surf point as of 2014 was just emerging into the scene. In anticipation of this point’s future popularity, a private surf shack/café is just beginning to open and visitors must cut across this property to access the beach.
Okanda Point
How to get there
Travel to Okanda Temple and from there, access the beach. The surf point is to your right some 200 meters along the cost.
This is another remote point, given its distance making it rarely visited. The point is highlighted by a large flat slab rock, with a crevice in the middle that attracts and spews out water, like a blow hole. A Long untouched stretch of beach is complemented by a lagoon, just beyond the sand dunes, from here; enjoy excellent views of the sunrise to the left and sunset to the right.
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