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WELIGAMA




Weligama is world famous for its distinct "Stilt Fishermen", who erect a single pole in the chest-deep water on the beach, just few meters off-shore equipped with rods and baskets. Cast their lines out beyond the surf break to catch small fish.

Koggala became commercialized with the setting up of the economic zone where several factories have come up. Yet the quiet surroundings along the beach remain untouched for people to enjoy and relax. There are also Buddhist hermitages on a couple of islets on the Koggala lake which can be visited with prior permission.

Weligama is renowned for its "beeralu" lace making, first introduced by the Portuguese in the 16th century lace-making has remained a traditional handicraft. Number of households still produces crotchet and tatting lace.

Weligama is a popular tourist destination where one can go diving, snorkeling, take a catamaran ride in to the sea or just swim in the shallow waters of the bay. Within the picturesque bay, one cannot miss the little hilly island where a French Count built his dream house. It stands to date as both a tourist attraction and an exclusive guest house.

Being a fishing village, Weligama Bay also has an expansive fish landing site. Tourism has made good use of this beautiful environment providing excellent accommodation choices, catering for all budgets and needs. Apart from the beach life, moving inland will lead you to rubber and coconut plantations, ancient temples and spice gardens. One can reach Weligama Bay within a half hour's drive from Galle, passing along expansive coconut groves on one side and the deep blue sea on the other and what awaits the traveler is the breathtakingly beautiful and extremely serene Weligama Bay.


GETTING THERE

Road

From Airport : Take the Katunayake Colombo Expressway (E03) / Outer Circular Highway (E02) / Southern Expressway (E01) Exit from the 10th interchange Kokmaduwa to Weligama

Puttalam - Colombo main road (A003) / Colombo – Galle main Road (A002). (However the drive on the A003/A 002 will be more time consuming than other option)

Train

From Colombo : Take the Southern Railway (Colombo/Matara) disembark at Weligama station. Please log in to : Sri Lanka Railway Official Website For train timings

Air

If you are travelling by Air you can either charter an Air Taxi or a Helicopter from the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) or from Colombo and land in Koggala Aerodrome, which is approximately 15 kilometers away from Weligama.

MAIN ATTRACTIONS IN AND AROUND WELIGAMA

Weligama Bay

Stilt fishermen

Diving and Snorkeling

Resort Hotels & Spas

Water Sports – Surfing

Kushta Raja Gala – 4 m high rock carving