The Ultimate Weligama Travel Guide

If you wish to experience the best of Sri Lanka, it is a must to explore its coastal regions in the south of the country. Weligama is one such quaint little town on the southern coast that is a must-visit if your love the beach, the sunny weather and wish to experience a combination of activities ranging from adventure sports, nature excursions as well as visits to historical sites in the area.

Weligama is also a top-rated destination for other outdoor activities, like biking, jogging, hiking, walking along the beaches, or playing sport with local children.

How to get to Weligama

The south of Sri Lanka has a well-developed network of highways, making it highly convenient to access different parts of the region by road in a short amount of time. If you're travelling from Colombo via private shuttle or taxi service, you can expect to reach Weligama in 3 hours without stops. The one-way taxi fare for this distance can fall within the range of $50 to $60. If you're heading to Weligama straight from the Colombo airport, expect to spend around 4 hours and & $120 to reach Weligama town.

A more adventurous way (and a more local way) of arriving at Weligama, would be to take a train from the Colombo Fort Railway station that will take you through the main south-west rail line on a second-class cabin (costing around $2 for a ticket), straight to the Weligama central station. This journey will give you a truly authentic experience of mingling with the locals as you take in the warm and salty sea breeze while travelling along the golden coast. Once you reach the Weligama station, you can hop on an infamous tuk-tuk that will take you right up to your preferred place of accommodation.

Where to stay in Weligama

As a popular tourist destination (especially among the surfer community), Weligama consists of a widespread network of mid-range accommodation options scattered all over the town. However, for the experienced traveller that opts for more creature comforts and a luxury travel experience together with some iconic ocean views, Cape Weligama offers one of the most idyllic accommodation options right at the heart of the Weligama bay area.

Enjoy the plush interiors of this private retreat that sits atop a 12-acre property, right beside the Indian Ocean offering magnificent views of the palm-stringed shoreline.

The must-see places in Weligama

1. Mirissa boat harbour

Weligama offers an array of places to see and things to do for the travel enthusiast. Among them, some of the most popular entail a visit to the Mirissa boat harbour that offers vibrant views of the fishing boats lined up. Mirissa is the largest fishing port in southern Sri Lanka, and you can hope to rent out a boat or a yacht to explore the south coast waters from the harbour.

2. Galle heritage city

While in Weligama, you should schedule a visit to the iconic Galle Fort situated a mere half-hour away by road. The cobbled stone streets of the historic Galle Fort will transport you to the time of the country's colonial rule. Scattered with museums, Dutch reformed churches and a wide range of boutique outlets to explore, the city offers much to please your eyes for an entire day out.

3. Wildlife excursion

Another popular sight not to be missed while in Weligama is the Udawalawe National Park which is approximately one and a half hours away. A visit to the park can offer you some splendid sights of the wildlife, including elephants, sloth bears and even crocodiles.

The must-do things in Weligama

1. Whale watching tour

Set out on a dolphin and whale watching excursion if you're in Weligama during the peak season between December to April. This can provide you with opportunities to get up close to the magnificent giants such as the humpback, sperm, minke and blue whales, alongside a plethora of dolphins. The tours generally start early in the morning, around 7 am and can last up to 4 or 5 hours.

2. Snorkelling and diving

The calm waters of the Weligama aquamarine bay offers the perfect warm waters to set out snorkelling. Together with their rock formations, the shallow reefs in the bay area provide the ideal habitat for a variety of fish.

Take your swimming excursions a step further by enrolling in a PADI diving course at one of the reputed diving centres, such as Borderlands Adventure Centre at Cape Weligama, where you can receive guidance from an experienced team of international professionals.

3. Boating, kayaking and cruising

It is possible to take a boat or a kayak out at the Koggala Lake, situated half hour away from the Weligama town. Enjoy the tranquillity of the lagoon as you explore the tropical wildlife.

4. Explore rural villages

Discover the country's lush green terrain along with the rural villages by signing up for a guided bike tour. Ride across vast expanses of paddy fields, observe the village folk's rural lives, and maybe even take a cookery lesson with the locals and experience authentic Sri Lankan rice and curry.

5. Surfing

Lastly, a trip to the coastal town of Weligama would not be complete without trying your hand at surfing. If you're already experienced, you can simply rent out a surfboard from your hotel's adventure centre. If not, book a surf lesson with an experienced guide and set out to catch the swells in the beginner-friendly waters of Weligama Bay.