Weligama

Sandy Village, gentle waves and stilt fishermen

Weligama (meaning 'Sandy Village') is an interesting blend of lively fishing town and beach resort. The sprawling main settlement and coastal road are somewhat scruffy, but the sandy beach is attractive once you're away from the busiest sections, with a couple of cove beaches to the west of the centre. Twenty-three kilometres east of Unawatuna, this sleepy fishing town meanders around a broad and beautiful bay dotted with rocky outcrops and fringed with fine golden sand — a spot that has never really caught on with foreign tourists in the way its neighbours have, giving it a pleasantly unhurried, traditional feel. Weligama's benign beach break is ideal for novice surfers, and many independent travellers learn to ride their first waves here.

Discover

Places to Explore in Weligama

Discover the historic landmarks, cultural attractions and hidden gems that make Weligama special.

Weligama Bay & Taprobane Island

Weligama Bay, in the Matara District on the South Coast, translates to 'Sandy Village' for obvious reasons — many flock to resorts here for its postcard setting of clear blue waters, soft sands and palm trees. The bay's most prominent feature is the minuscule island of Taprobane, just offshore and virtually invisible under a thick covering of luxuriant trees. Taprobane was owned in the 1930s by the exiled French Count de Maunay, who built the exquisite white villa that still stands, its red-tiled roof poking through the trees; the whole property is available for rent via The Sun House in Galle. The prettiest part of the bay is around Taprobane, where dozens of colourful outrigger catamarans pull up on the beach between fishing expeditions — you may be able to negotiate a trip around the bay with one of the local fishermen.

Stilt Fishing

Weligama Bay is a notorious fishing village, infamous for its traditional use of stilt fishing, in which locals make the practice look easy and comfortable. It involves using a horizontal pole embedded into the seafloor, with fishermen using a rod while seated a couple of metres above the water to skilfully target their catch. Spotted herrings and small mackerels are common prizes, kept in a bag tied to the pole or the fisherman's waist — a mesmerising sight and impossible to miss given how many fishermen use this method.

Surfing

Weligama is a hotspot for surfing and one of the most reliable surf destinations in Sri Lanka. Gentle waves in certain areas make it ideal for beginners, with surf lessons and surfboard hire readily available, and plenty of surf camps in the area for those wanting to really go for it.

Whale and Dolphin Watching

Mirissa, Weligama's sister town, is a prime spot for whale watching, with a choice of luxury to basic catamaran tours making it easy, relaxing and enjoyable to see these big beautiful creatures. Be prepared to see the forever happy and mischievous dolphins showing off for a keen audience too.

Coconut Plantations

You'll be amazed at how many uses the coconut has. In Weligama, visit coconut plantations to learn all about its many uses, and see first-hand how its fibre is used for classic crafting such as making mats, ropes and nets.

Kusta Raja Gala Statue

Visit the statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, a detailed and intricate statue carved into the rock somewhere between the 6th and 9th century. Known locally as Kusta Raja Gala, the statue is believed to represent a king who had leprosy; supposedly, the king had a vision advising him to drink coconut pulp and water for three months to restore his health. Miraculously the cure worked, and he had a statue of himself built to commemorate the phenomenon.

Devil Dance

For a traditional activity, it's recommended to witness the Devil Dance — sounding more sinister than it really is, this traditional healing dance, famous in the South, is believed to speed up recovery when someone is injured or suffering from illness.