the tsunami hotel was, and now is again, a hotel on the east coast of sri lanka.

the tsunami hotel began in 1999 in arugam bay, a small fishing village in eastern sri lanka, which also happens to have some of the best surfing anywhere in the world, together with sri lanka's largest wildlife reserve just to the south.

yes, there was a place called the tsunami hotel. yes, it was hit by the tsunami. no, we couldn't believe it either.

the last seven years have seen us move from a derelict hotel, to a place of beauty, to a pile of rubble, and through tremendous struggle, to a place of beauty once again. you can read about arugam bay and the tsunami hotel at our pre-tsunami site, including our guestbook. we'll have new photos of our rebuild up soon.

due to arugam bay's location, and perhaps its big surf, the tsunami waves that hit in december 2004 were some of the biggest reported anywhere in asia - more than 40ft above sea level. the destruction and loss here was beyond comprehension.

since then, and largely due to the kindness of visitors, arugam bay has moved forward considerably (which cannot be said for other areas on the east coast not fortunate enough to have tourism). people here are still very much in need of help. we'd like our site to be many things in future. for now, we'd like tsunamihotel.com to be a channel for direct independent relief to arugam bay. find out more here. if you're concerned about a person you know in arugam bay, you might find some information on this page.

arugam bay is still one of the most beautiful spots in sri lanka (the most beautiful spot, in our opinion), and there is accomodation here. surfers can now enjoy an uncrowded ride on one of the best breaks in the world! the best thing you can do for the bay is pay a visit.

we soft reopened christmas day, 2005.

call naleen for bookings on (+94) 07766 35982

this site is under re-construction.... what isn't?