By Paul Topping

The large ten-kilometre Weligama Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island of Sri Lanka. It is known as the Riviera of the island, with over two kilometres of excellent light surfing for beginners. It was the opening of the Marriott hotel in 2017 that changed this sleepy strip, creating major hype and the development of mass market tourism in this area. Just before the  2019 Easter bombings in Colombo and Negombo took place, the ownership of the hotel changed. Tourism collapsed, but the operator remained and ultimately flourished. Most of our visits to Weligama have been part of a tour along the coast with stops there to eat, walk the beach and chill.

Some say it is the best beach in the country for learning how to surf. A sandy safe paradise.

The town's name translates as “ sandy village “ and the complete waterfront is a buzz of restaurants, surf and diving centres and shops. There is an array of accommodation, yoga retreats and other establishments. 

Our most recent visit, a day trip from Colombo, was to participate in the opening of Borderlands Adventure Weligama. This activity and out and bound centre is perched on a hill just behind the town. With an abundance of trees, the site offers an array of activities. There is accommodation and a restaurant, all in a chill environment.

I can count at least twenty visits in the last two decades to the bay, and now it’s only 140 minutes from Colombo. We have had a few stopovers in the bay. The first was a stay at the outstanding Marriott hotel for a wedding. The open style of the hotel and its architecture set a new standard in Sri Lanka. On this visit, the hotel with 198 bedrooms looks a bit tired, and there is a need for more maintenance. Especially in the common bathrooms on the ground floor. We enter the open-plan restaurant and start looking at the menu. They tell us to have the buffet. Eight minutes later, we are told the buffet is closing so we need to go and pile our plates up and gobble our food. The manager apologises and has the good sense not to present a bill.

Our previous hotel visit was close by on the beach. We had an amazing, massive window overlooking the beach from an upper floor.

There is an island in the bay that excites many, Taprobane. Built by a French Count in the nineteen twenties, the address is “number one Indian Ocean “. The property has five bedrooms, five staff, and it is currently leased by a well-known supporter of Sri Lanka. His bigger fame is that of the creation and operation of The Galle Literary Festival.  

In the research I've undertaken, Mirrisa also partly borders the Weligama bay, as does the  Mirrisa fishing and tourist port. I published a story on them both in mid-August this year. 

So a great sunset and cocktails, and then to wake up in another day in paradise. There is something for everyone in the bay and nearby seaside towns.