Surfing in Weligama: guide to the bay, spots and surf schools
Weligama, on Sri Lanka’s south coast, is the big sandy bay where people learn to surf. The wave breaks gently over sand, schools line the beach and the water is 28 °C. As you progress, the reefs of Midigama and Ahangama, the Mirissa right and, further on, Hiriketiya are a few minutes to an hour away by tuk-tuk. It is the easiest base in the country from November to April: the full picture is in our Sri Lanka surf guide.
At a glance: surfing in Weligama
| Level | Beginners in the bay, intermediates out back on bigger swells and on the nearby reefs (Midigama, Mirissa) |
| Best season | November to April |
| Water temperature | 27.5 to 30 °C depending on the month |
| Wetsuit | Not needed: a rash vest is enough |
| Bottom | Sand in the bay, reef at Midigama, Mirissa and Madiha |
| Getting there | About 2 hours by road from Colombo airport, or the coastal train from Colombo (no boards) |
Why surf in Weligama?
For learning, it hardly gets easier: a sandy bottom, a soft inside swell that gives you time to stand up, dozens of schools and rental stands along the promenade, and warm water all year. It is the best beginner spot in the country. Still choosing your first destination? Our beginner surfing page compares the options.
On the downside, the bay is very busy: hundreds of boards in the water in the morning and late afternoon, and flying boards when students fall. The main road runs along the beach, fishing boats take up part of the sand, and the water is sometimes polluted. For a higher level, head to the nearby reefs.
Surf camps and surf schools in Weligama
Weligama has the biggest concentration of surf schools and surf camps in Sri Lanka. Schools rent gear on the beach, often without booking. Surf camps add accommodation, meals, daily lessons and often yoga.
Average price: about US$25 for a 2-hour private lesson, US$20 to 40 for a 1 to 2-hour session with board. Some beachfront schools have a poor reputation: watch how they work before you pay.
Where to stay to surf in Weligama
Weligama town: right at the beginner spot, with schools, cafés and the train station. Lively, and the road is noisy.
Taprobane side, west of the bay: quieter, with guesthouses under the palms and a slow wave for longboarding.
Midigama and Ahangama: about ten minutes west, to be on the reefs once you have some level.
Mirissa: about ten minutes east, livelier, with a right-hander over reef.
Do you run a surf camp or surf school in Weligama?
Present your school to readers planning a surf trip to Weligama.
List my surf campWhen to go surfing in Weligama
Weligama follows the south coast season, during the northeast monsoon.
November to April: the season
This is the time for clean, consistent waves, from November to April.
May to October: the monsoon
The southwest monsoon brings wind, rain and a messier sea. The bay gets inconsistent and many surfers move to the east coast, to Arugam Bay.
Wave size
The bay works best on a long-period swell. On very big days the middle of the bay closes out a lot: time to head for the reefs if you have the level.
Water temperature and what to wear
The water ranges from 27.5 °C in August to almost 30 °C in April. A rash vest is enough.
Weligama weather month by month
Figures for Galle, about 30 km west of Weligama: average air temperatures (minimum and maximum), average sea temperature and number of days with some rain. At Weligama, the sea is between 27.5 °C in August and 29.8 °C in April.
| Month | Air | Sea | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22 to 29 °C | 28 °C | 5 |
| February | 22 to 30 °C | 28 °C | 5 |
| March | 23 to 31 °C | 29 °C | 7 |
| April | 24 to 31 °C | 29 °C | 11 |
| May | 25 to 30 °C | 29 °C | 12 |
| June | 24 to 29 °C | 28 °C | 12 |
| July | 24 to 29 °C | 27 °C | 10 |
| August | 24 to 29 °C | 27 °C | 10 |
| September | 24 to 29 °C | 28 °C | 12 |
| October | 23 to 29 °C | 28 °C | 14 |
| November | 22 to 29 °C | 28 °C | 14 |
| December | 22 to 29 °C | 28 °C | 10 |
Surfing in Weligama: practical information
Surfing
- Level: Beginner to intermediate
- Wave types: Beach break with lefts and rights over sand, plus a reef at the end of the beach
- Bottom: Sand
- Tide: Surfable at all tides
- Best time: November to April
- Water temperature: 27.5 to 30 °C
- Gear: Rash vest, water-resistant sunscreen, a softboard or longboard to learn
- Crowds: Very busy, especially in the morning and late afternoon
Before you leave
- From Colombo airport: About 2 hours by private transfer on the expressway, around 20,000 rupees (2024 figure)
- By train: Several direct trains a day from Colombo, taking about 2.5 to 3 hours. About 400 rupees in first class. Boards are not allowed
- By bus: Cheap and frequent, but no boards
- Documents: Passport and Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): everything is explained in our Sri Lanka guide
On site
- Getting around: On foot in town, by tuk-tuk to Midigama, Mirissa or Hiriketiya (500 to 1,000 rupees to Mirissa, to be negotiated)
- Currency: Sri Lankan rupee (LKR)
- Board hire: All along the promenade, about US$15 to 20 a day
- Health: Bottled water, mosquito repellent (dengue)
Weligama surf spots
Weligama bay is a long, curving sandy beach. Around it, the coast is a string of reefs: Midigama and Ahangama to the west, Mirissa and Madiha to the east, then SK Town and Hiriketiya further on.
Learning to surf in Weligama
In the middle of the bay, the easiest place to paddle out is roughly opposite the Marriott. Stay in the soft inside swell where the schools work. On the Taprobane side the wave is even slower, ideal for longboarding.
Progressing around Weligama
On bigger days, the outside waves of the bay are faster. After that, head for Midigama, the Mirissa right or Jungle Beach, a backup spot between Weligama and Midigama.
Surfing around Weligama as an experienced surfer
Ram’s in Midigama, the Madiha reefs and the reef left at Hiriketiya, an hour to the east.
Weligama surf spots for beginners
| Spot | Where | The wave | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weligama beach | Middle of the bay, along the Galle road | Sandy beach break, soft inside swell where the schools work. Closes out a lot on very big days | All tides |
| Taprobane | West of the bay, opposite the villa islet | Small, slow wave, ideal for longboarding | Mid to high tide |
| Mirissa (sandy section) | Middle of Mirissa beach, 10 min by tuk-tuk | Gentle beach breaks, rarely over 5 ft in season | All tides |
Surf spots around Weligama for intermediate surfers
| Spot | Where | The wave | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outside of the bay | Weligama, behind the school zone | Faster waves on bigger swells, for surfers who are already comfortable | All tides |
| Midigama (Lazy Left and Lazy Right) | 10 min west | Two reefs: Lazy Right, a soft right over a deep reef, fine as soon as you can stand up, and Lazy Left, a steeper left at take-off, for intermediates | All tides for the left, mid tide for the right |
| Mirissa Right | West end of Mirissa beach | Right over shallow reef with urchins. Best on a pushing tide | Pushing tide |
| Jungle Beach | Between Weligama and Midigama, down a short track | Backup spot over sand and reef, with currents when it gets bigger | All tides |
Surf spots around Weligama for experienced surfers
| Spot | Where | The wave | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ram’s | Midigama | Thick-lipped right, the hardest wave in the area | All tides |
| Madiha | East of Mirissa | Very difficult left and an A-frame, with fewer people | All tides |
| Hiriketiya (reef) | About 1 hour east | Fast left over rock and urchins, next to the beach break | All tides |
Weligama surf forecast
Wind, gusts and Windguru rating over 7 days in Weligama bay:
To follow the swell: Surf-Forecast (Weligama).
SURFERS’ REVIEWS of Sri Lanka
Have you surfed in Weligama? Share your experience. Your feedback will help surfers of your level plan their trip.
Ewen – Newave modular surfboard
There are waves.
- 2025
- Sri Lanka
Aurélie – intermediate level
Best destination for all levels depending on the spot, choose Midigama for fewer people, but it is more challenging.
- January 2020
- Sri Lanka
Titouan from Newave Modular Surfboards
Sri Lanka was a great surf trip, the waves were accessible, long rights, small hidden reefs along the coast… Every day there were new spots to discover. We travelled with our Newave modular boards, travelling is easy, the carry bag is ideal. They are easy to carry, go stress-free from a plane to a tuk-tuk, then to the water’s edge. No logistical hassle. You travel light, you explore more, you take your time. In Sri Lanka, that is real luxury: a board under your arm, amazing spots and sessions.
- April 2025
- Sri Lanka
Weligama, Midigama or Mirissa?
All three are about twenty minutes apart by tuk-tuk: many surfers stay in one and surf the others.
Weligama: to learn
The sandy bay, the schools, the services and the train. The right choice for a first surf week.
Midigama and Ahangama: to progress
Quieter, less built-up reefs with more demanding waves. The right choice if you can already stand up and want to surf several spots.
Mirissa: to mix surfing and going out
A right over reef, a lively beach at night and boat trips. The right choice if you are not only there to surf.
What to do in Weligama besides surfing
On flat days, the south coast has enough to fill a day.
Whales off Mirissa
Mirissa is the starting point for whale and dolphin watching trips on the south coast.
Coconut Tree Hill and Secret Beach
Near Mirissa, the palm-covered hill is the most photographed viewpoint around. Secret Beach, about 15 minutes by tuk-tuk from Weligama then down a steep lane, is a small sheltered beach for swimming and snorkelling.
Galle and the stilt fishermen
To the west, the old Galle fort and, on the way, the stilt fishermen of Ahangama and Koggala.
Taprobane Island
The small islet in the bay, with its villa, can be seen from the beach and makes for a fine sunset.
All guided activities around Weligama
Budget for a surf trip to Weligama
Weligama is still affordable. Here are typical costs on the ground (excluding flights):
- Surf lesson: about US$25 for a 2-hour private lesson, US$20 to 40 per session depending on the school
- Board hire: US$5 to 10 an hour, US$15 to 20 a day
- Surf camp: US$250 to 500 a week, from €349 in a dorm at some camps
- Airport transfer: around 20,000 rupees by private car
- Train from Colombo: about 400 rupees in first class
Gear: renting is enough to learn. If you want to bring your own board without paying for oversized luggage, read our article on the demountable surfboard.
FAQ: everything about surfing in Weligama
When is the best time to surf in Weligama?
From November to April, during the south coast season. From May to October, the monsoon makes the bay inconsistent.
Can you learn to surf in Weligama?
Yes. It is the easiest beach in the country to learn on: sandy bottom, a soft inside swell and dozens of schools on the beach.
Where to surf around Weligama as you progress?
The Midigama reefs, about ten minutes west, the Mirissa right to the east, then Hiriketiya, about an hour away. Experienced surfers go to Ram’s or Madiha.
Do you need a wetsuit in Weligama?
No. The water is between 27.5 and 30 °C depending on the month: a rash vest is enough.
How do you get from Colombo to Weligama?
By private car, allow about 2 hours from the airport on the expressway. The coastal train leaves from Colombo and stops in Weligama, but boards are not allowed.
How much is a surf lesson in Weligama?
About US$25 for a 2-hour private lesson, and US$20 to 40 per session with board. Board hire is around US$15 to 20 a day.
Is Weligama very crowded?
Yes, especially in the morning and late afternoon, when hundreds of boards are in the water. For more space, try the Taprobane side or go to Midigama.
More sunny beginner spots
Information may change. This guide is for general guidance only: surf conditions, temperatures, access, opening hours and prices can change. Before your trip and every session, check the forecast, local conditions and information from local providers. A spot description and its suggested level are no guarantee of safety: always match your session to your level and the conditions on the day. Learn more
Updated October 2026
Sources: The Surf Atlas, Lonely Planet, Surf-Forecast, Pure Surfcamps, HIDMC, Go Asia, Cabaigne, Windguru. Photos: Rikazr, Honeplus, calflier001, Abishek Palraj, DammikaD, Ji-Elle (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA licences). Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors.
