The main surf resort in the south of Sri Lanka
Today we want to tell you about probably the most popular surfing resort on the south coast of Sri Lanka - Weligama.
Weligama is located on the shores of the bay of the same name, just five kilometers from Mirissa, another popular tourist destination. Despite the fact that Weligama is often described as a small village, in our opinion it is difficult to agree with this. Modern Weligama is by no means a remote village, but a fully developed resort village, where there are supermarkets, markets, banks, hotels and guesthouses, some kind of embankment, as well as cafes and restaurants.
Weligama is famous for its soft waves and sandy bottom, which are great for surfing and especially for teaching beginners. Surf training schools, as well as board rentals, are found here almost every five meters. There are both budget places where locals teach in broken English, and expensive international camps, where there are almost always Russian-speaking instructors. Hotels and guesthouses almost everywhere also offer board rental and training services.
However, for ordinary swimmers, the local beach is by no means the best place to relax. The water here is very muddy, and you have to go quite far to go to any deep point in order to take a normal dip. The coast itself is also not particularly attractive for relaxing on the sand. There is especially a lot of garbage in places where local fishermen moor (and they moor along the entire length of the beach). The side effects of fishing all around you are not the best sight when you come to sunbathe.
The main culinary point of Weligama, we would boldly call a number of fish restaurants on the shore, where you can choose your own seafood, which will be cooked for you right there. And enjoying the local cuisine at a table right on the sand is, admittedly, a separate pleasure. It was here that we saw the largest variety of seafood on the south coast. Squids, shrimps, crabs, lobsters - everything that was so lacking in the fish markets of other cities is here. And if you have a desire to cook something yourself, seafood here can also be purchased raw just to take away. It will cost noticeably cheaper, especially if you remember to bargain.
The main disadvantage of Weligama is the almost complete absence of any attractions and other entertainment. Surfing is basically the only reason to stay here. If you are indifferent to it, we would strongly recommend finding another resort to make your holiday more eventful and interesting.
If you still chose Weligama, you can visit the statue of Kushtarajagala and be sure to visit the pier on the outskirts of the village. The view from the pier is definitely worth a visit. Multi-colored fishing boats anchored in the blue expanse of the ocean look very photogenic, especially in the rays of the setting sun.
For more about Weligama, see the video: