Our Favourite Sunset Spots Near Weligama and Midigama

2 min read

Pink and purple sunset over the ocean with palm trees and people on the beach

From our archive. First published in 2022. Rooms, prices and services may have changed since, so message us for current details.

There’s a ritual on the south coast that never gets old. The last surf of the day ends, the wind drops, and everyone turns to face the ocean as the sky goes gold, then pink, then purple. These are our favourite places to watch it.

1. The beach at the end of the village

The simplest option is often the best. Walk down to the coast from Gurubebila with a king coconut and sit on the sand or the rocks. Watch the last surfers on the reef and the fishing boats heading out. It’s quiet, local and free.

2. Midigama

Sunset at Midigama is a surfer’s sunset. The reef breaks are lined with people catching the last waves, and the beach cafés fill up with salty, happy faces. It’s only a short tuk-tuk ride from us.

3. Weligama Bay

The wide curve of Weligama Bay makes a beautiful frame at sunset. You can see the boats, the beginner surfers in the shallows and little Taprobane Island silhouetted offshore. Walk along the sand and stop for a fresh juice.

4. Mirissa

Mirissa is livelier, with beach restaurants setting out tables on the sand as the sun goes down. It’s a fun place for dinner out, and the coastline around Coconut Tree Hill is lovely in the evening light.

5. Galle Fort ramparts

For a special evening, take the coastal road or the train to Galle. Walk the old ramparts of the UNESCO-listed fort as the sun sets over the ocean, then have dinner in one of the old streets. The lighthouse end of the fort is a favourite spot.

Tips for sunset chasers

  • Check the season. The sun sets in a slightly different place through the year. In some months it drops straight into the ocean, in others behind the headlands.
  • Bring insect repellent. Mosquitoes come out at dusk.
  • Take a torch if you’re walking back along village roads after dark.
  • Respect the space. Some beaches are working fishing beaches, so give the boats and nets room.

The light on this coast is special at both ends of the day. If you’re a surfer, you’ll see plenty of sunrises from the line-up. Make time for a few sunsets too.

Planning when to come? See our guide to the monsoon months.

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