Weligama Bay

Weligama translates as 'sandy village' in Sinhala, and the town's 2km beach is the most recommended beginner surfing location on the south coast. The broad, gently shelving bay has a sandy bottom and small, consistent waves that break close to shore. Surf schools line the beach road and offer 2-hour lessons from around LKR 3,500 including board hire. Weligama is also famous for stilt fishing, where fishermen balance on single-pole stilts driven into the seabed about 10m from shore, casting lines into the shallow water below. This photogenic tradition dates back several decades and remains a working practice, not just a tourist display. A small island, Taprobane Island, sits 150m offshore and can be viewed from the beach.