Weligama

Weligama, the "village of sand," is a lazy fishing town built around a large, sheltered natural bay shielded by a shallow coral reef — and these days it's just as famous for its surf breaks as its beaches, drawing an international crowd along the coast toward Mirissa.

The same bay that makes Weligama a beginner-friendly surf spot also shelters a shallow snorkelling reef close to shore, while the region's scuba sites sit a little further out, typically between 15 and 20 metres. Rock formations here are genuinely scenic, riddled with swim-throughs and small caves that make for playful, exploratory dives rather than straight point-to-point reef swims.

The season runs December to April. With a wide choice of hotels, guesthouses and places to eat built up around its surf-town reputation, Weligama is one of the easiest west coast regions to combine a beach holiday with a few relaxed days of diving.