SCUBA DIVING & SNORKELLING

Dive into Weligama’s underwater wonderland! Rare species, stunning beauty, and fascinating culture await. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or a newbie, pristine beaches of Weligama offers a unique experience of the underwater scenery of the southern coast of Sri Lanka.

SURFING

It’s true that Weligama is the definition of a surfer’s paradise. The most popular surf spot is of course Weligama Beach which is suitable for all levels of surfers. Complete beginners can take advantage of the many surf schools providing lessons and equipment on the shore and advanced surfers can paddle out towards the larger breaks to test their skills.

HANDUNGODA TEA ESTATE – CEYLON VIRGIN WHITE TEA PLANTATION

A 30-minute-long drive north from Weligama is the only plantation that produces Ceylon Virgin White tea celebrated across the world. The production process mimics a process that was once practiced in ancient China. Considered to be one of the healthiest and the purest teas in the world rich in antioxidants.

KUSHTA RAJA GALA

Now a part of the Kustarajagala Viharaya, the larger than life statue is one of the best remaining statues built under the influence of Mahayana Buddhism in Sri Lanka, and has fast turned out to be a popular tourist attraction around the area for it’s appeal. The statue which has been carved into the rock face is believed to date back to the 9th century and is surprisingly detailed. The meaning behind the statue has long been debated but many believe the carving is of a prince who cured many skin diseases. Believed to be once a part of the ancient Aggrabodhi Viharaya, the temple still retains its ancient charm despite being left to the effects of nature.

GALLE FORT

Situated nearly an hour of drive from Weligama, Galle, once Sri Lanka’s main trading port and a trading hub for luxury goods. Galle Fort, initially built by Portuguese and then renovated and restructured by the Dutch, the Fort was a trusted enclave surrounded on three sides by the Indian Ocean. Once a corner stone of Dutch administration and trade in colonial Ceylon, the fort has become a potpourri of cultures, languages and crafts today. Most of the city’s Dutch era buildings have now been converted into chic boutiques; while the Old Dutch Hospital is now a restored dining and shopping complex, where people from the countries across the globe, wine, dine and trade with the locals just as they did a few centuries back. A bike ride or a walk through the Galle Fort is the best way to explore the labyrinth of streets that crisscross the Fort still carrying the names given to them centuries ago after the inhabitants of each street.

WHALE WATCHING

Whale watching is an incredibly popular activity that many tourists love to do when they visit Weligama. Taking a sunset whale-watching tour is particularly magical. The experience is unique in that you’re searching for some of the largest whales in the world – including blue whales, and the likelihood of seeing them is surprisingly high! There are lots of whale-watching tour options across the bay, with many different price packages available. Between November & April is the best time of year to book a whale-watching tour.

DAY SAFARI TO UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK

Udawalawe National Park situated in the borders of Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces in Sri Lanka is one of the last refuges of the Sri Lankan Elephant, one of the subspecies of Asian Elephant. Protected by the rising highlands in its Northern boundary, Udawalawe is a wildland made of bush forest and grasslands. Fed by the Walawe River and Udawalawe Reservoir, the park is home to herds of elephants, wild buffalo, sambar and spotted deer.

While it may look quite far away on a map, Udawalawe National Park is a very popular place to visit when you’re staying in Weligama and it can be reached by car or guided tour vehicles. Taking a safari allows you the best chance to spot the animals in their natural habitat and is an animal-conscious way of viewing them. In addition to the Sri Lankan elephants, visitors would be able to observe a unique collection of wet and dry zone birdlife concentrated within the park.