Weligama Bay is a long, gentle curve of sand with small, rolling waves, and it is where many people stand up on a surfboard for the first time. Surf schools line the beach, boards are stacked in the sand, and the bay is busy with learners from morning to evening.
Weligama means ‘sandy village’ in Sinhala, and the town behind the beach is a proper working town with shops and services. It has become the south coast’s busiest base for remote workers and surfers, with coworking spaces and coliving stays close to the sand. Look offshore for Taprobane Island, a tiny islet with a famous villa.
What to see and do
- Take a surf lesson; the soft beach break is ideal for beginners.
- Rent a board for a few hours if you already surf.
- Watch the sunset from the beach bars along the bay.
- Explore the coast, with Mirissa and Ahangama a few minutes away.
Know before you go
- Time needed: A few hours for a lesson, or a few weeks if you are staying
- Access: Easy; the beach runs alongside the coastal road
- Cost: Free; surf lessons and board rental are paid
- Safety: Swim and surf where others do, follow your instructor, and be careful of currents away from the main beginner area
Best time to visit
November to April brings the calmest seas and best beginner conditions. From May to September the southwest monsoon brings rougher water.
Getting there
Weligama is about two hours from Colombo on the Southern Expressway, and it has a station on the coastal railway.
Nearby
Coconut Tree Hill in Mirissa and the stilt fishermen near Ahangama are both close by.
