Is an Mt Fuji Day Trip From Tokyo Worth It? How To Plan It? 

BY  Sibashree May 4, 2026

Once you cross the massive bay of Weligama, you will find many hidden beaches and coves on the south-western coast.  There is a stretch that goes through small inlets and has beautiful golden sands. These inlets with coconut palms are called Midigama collectively.  While Midigama will win your heart with its quaint beauty at first glance, it is more popular as a surfing spot for intermediates.  It is no less than a treasure hunt with unexplored reefs and secret waves.  Moreover, the surf spots of the Midigama Beach, such as Lazy Left or Ahangama, are diverse and unique in the experience they offer.  However, a local professional surfer confided that the Coconuts are the best surfing spot if you already have some skills.  Hi, are you planning a trip to Midigama Beach anytime soon? Read this blog to know about the location, surfing sports, and more about this beautiful beach.  Where Is Midigama Beach?  The cluster of beaches, known as the Midigama Beach, is between Weligama and Ahangama, a popular beach town and surfing spot.  Furthermore, the beach spans an area of 6 kilometers, including the clusters of inlets.  The best and most budget-friendly way to reach Midigama. It is a train ride of around 3 hours and 15 minutes, and the ticket cost me around Rs. 240.  I took the train from Colombo Fort at 6:15 PM and reached Midigama at 9:25 PM, and the ticket price was Rs 550 for the second class.  Where To Surf On Midigama Beach? I have already shared that the surfing spots in Midigama are diverse. So, the size, the type of breaks, and the surfing style will be different from one surfing location to another.   So, here are the surfing spots everyone loves.  1. Ahangama Ahangama, on the northwest of Midigama, has been a popular surfing hub for the last few years.  It has many surf camps and bars, and its reef breaks are excellent for beginners and mid-level surfers.  Kabalana Beach is the best place to start your surfing expedition here.  2. Ram’s Right  Ram’s Right is the toughest surf break in the region, and you really need to make a quick surfing start.  Furthermore, the barrel sections make it fascinating. Also, you really need to look out for sea urchins here.  3. The Combination Of Lazy Right And Lazy Left  These two offer secure reef brakes, and Lazy Left is slightly harder to surf than Lazy Right.  So, Lazy Right is more suitable for beginners. Here, a surfer can enjoy cruisy rides where the surf breaks over a deep reef.  4. Plantations  It is very close to Weligama, and it is an ideal surfing spot for intermediates.  The entry point is an opening in the rock by the Plantation Surf Inn.  Furthermore, the reef here is deep, and surfing usually continues in the right direction and a few lefts.  5. Coconuts  Coconuts is the place where you will enjoy the classic Sri Lankan reef surfing experience.  Here, you can surf right and left, and the breaks are on both ends of the beach.  However, the east end of the beach is choppier.  6. Weligama Once you are done surfing at Coconuts, you can take a short tuk-tuk ride to Weligama.  Furthermore, with a sandy bottom, it is an ideal surfing destination for beginners.  What Are The Places To Visit Near Midigama Beach?  If you are done surfing, you can explore the historic Galle Fort and the hedonistic Mirissa Beach.  1. Mirissa Beach Mirissa Beach turns into the most Hedonistic place in Sri Lanka in the evening.  The bars here offer amazing happy hour offers. So, you will find the cheapest chilled beer in Sri Lanka here.  2. Galle Fort Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is just 25 km away from Midigama Beach.  It is one of the best examples of a European fortified city in South and South-East Asia.  Enjoy climbing up the rampart and having a walk from one corner to another, admire the architecture, and enjoy the 360-degree view of Galle.  Watching the sunset from the top of the fort is also a magical experience.  What Is The Best Time For Surfing In Midigama Beach?  Like all other beaches on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, November to April is the best time to visit Midigama Beach.  Regular storms and high rainfall are the main forces hitting the beach in this season.  Furthermore, when you are planning to surf in Midigama beach, pick early morning or late evening as the time as the winds pick up speed later in the day.  Where To Eat In Midigama Beach?  The main beach of Midigama and the place near the Coconuts have many cool eating places.  Contrary to Ahangama, the Midigama Beach exudes a hipster energy.  If you are looking for a local experience where you will also get some cultural insights, you can visit Sandaru Restaurant.  It is a family-run restaurant, and here you can eat kottu, rice, curry, and other local delicacies.  Another excellent place for trying local delicacies here is the Shirani Home Made Rice & Curry near the Coconut Beach.  Here, you will find the best rice-vegetable combos.  Where To Stay For Surfing At Midigama Beach?  You can stay at the really cool hostels near the Lazy Left if you want to surf at Midigama Beach.  However, if you are traveling with family and you are looking for comfort, Naomi Beach Hotel, the best surfing hotel in Sri Lanka, will be your ideal choice.  It has a stunning infinity pool, and the on-site bar is perfect for chilling after a surfing session.  Moreover, it is close to the Coconuts, for me, the best surfing spot in Midigama Beach.  Also, Surfing Wombats is another place to stay in Midigama for surfing. I can stay here simply because of the pizza they serve.  Furthermore, it is a short walk from the Lazy Left and Lazy Right surfing spots.  Also, if you want to be a part of the surfing camps in Midigama Beach, you must take a tuk-tuk to Weligama, and you will find many reputable surfing camps there.

BY  Sibashree May 27, 2026

From the beaches of Jaffna to Weligama, Sri Lanka has so many places that can teach you the art of slow traveling and the TravelDownUnder philosophy.  The southern coast of Sri Lanka, especially, has a distinct magic. Furthermore, the Hiriketiya Beach and Mirissa Beach often steal the social media limelight.  However, Weligama is an exception even in this age of Instagram craze. The region has a legendary surf culture and a salty heart.  So, surfing is the most popular answer when you ask what to do in Weligama.  It has a massive, shallow crescent bay that transforms everyday ocean swells into beautifully consistent, beginner-friendly rollers. However, surfing is not the only activity you will love in Weligama. Even if you never plan on waxing a surfboard, the laid-back beach town pulls you in with an infectious, slow-paced lifestyle.  Moreover, here you will spend the mornings in flat whites, hide from the tropical Sun in shaded pools in the afternoon, and enjoy the distinct nightlife.  So, as I was on a backpacking trip to Sri Lanka, I enjoyed every bit of this remote coastal area.  I have penned my experience, the best things to do in Weligama, what to eat, and more in this article.  What To Do In Weligama? Indulging In The Quintessential Coastal Experience In Sri Lanka According to a recent report of the World Economic Forum regarding the Jobs and the Future of Work, 25% of the workforce in the world will be fully digital.  With this shift in the workforce, there will also be a paradigm shift in the way young people and professionals travel.  The digital nomads especially look for budget-friendly and beautiful locations that offer them the ease and amenities of working.  In this regard, Weligama in Sri Lanka remains a prominent choice, and even according to a survey of the Hotel With Tub website, Weligama has secured the 43rd place among the 100 best destinations for digital nomads in the world.  It is affordable, and you must try the following attractions here.  1. Enjoying The Quintessential Weligama Surf Experience  Surfing is the very fabric of Weligama. Decades ago, some eager travelers chased the rumor of finding the perfect breaks in this sleepy fishing hub.  Today, it is one of the premier learning grounds for surfers in Asia.  The gentle sandy floor of the slope reaches across hundreds of meters in the water. Thus, the incoming waves lose their chaotic bite and turn into rolling whitewash,  With the waves getting predictable, even if you are stepping onto a board for the first time, you can walk down the main beach strip to find dozens of local wooden shacks offering board rentals and affordable one-on-one coaching. However, that does not mean that Weligama will disappoint the advanced surfers. For example, Kima Surf Camp is a high-end hub for premier surfers.  Housed within a meticulously restored colonial mansion, it pairs intensive, expert-led coaching with a vibrant communal lifestyle, yoga classes, and poolside recovery sessions.  2. Attending A Rooftop Yoga Session At Hangtime Hostel  The neighboring Ahangama is a more popular place for the niche Yoga subculture. However, the Yoga studios in Weligama stand out because of their amazing views.  The Hangtime Hostel is the place I visited, and the open-air rooftop platform grounded me as soon as I stepped in.  Also, it offers a quick relief from the street noise, and on one side, it offers the most amazing view of the expansive Indian Ocean.  On the other hand, the dense, emerald canopy of the Sri Lankan jungle sways in the breeze.  Like every day, the classes began at 9 AM, and I was a little early to reach as I wanted to secure a good spot.  Furthermore, the session was on Power Vinyasa, and it cost around LKR 2500.  3. Chasing Horizons In The Golden Hour  Along the southern coast of Sri Lanka, Sunset is more than a natural occurrence that takes place daily.  It is like a social ritual and a magic of nature that brings people together. It is an amazing experience to see the Sun dipping into the water.  However, only the locals know the right time to start a short scooter ride to reach The Cliff and see the most vibrant sunset.  It is over rugged coastal rocks, and this open-air tiered place ensures that every single table is positioned for panoramic ocean views.  Overall, it is a complete fusion of the upscale "sunset lounge" aesthetic and the unpretentious warmth that defines Sri Lanka.  Furthermore, to attend this perfect fusion, The Cliff has leaned on tropical flavors without the use of artificial sugar.  Also, I had the most amazing grilled octopus here with pillowy flatbread.  4. Exceptional Brunching Experience At Nomad Cafe Weligama has a booming cafe culture, and Nomad Cafe is surely the crown jewel. It began its journey as a modest, five-table passion project, and now it is an experience in its own right.  Foodies frequently travel from nearby towns to experience the great food and ambiance here. You must not miss the Flat White here.  Moreover, the menu of Nomad Vafe deftly bridges European brunch staples with vibrant, fresh flavor profiles. The undeniable star of the show is the rösti eggs Benedict. I loved its texture play with perfectly poached eggs and rich, velvety hollandaise balanced precariously on a shatteringly crispy potato hash brown. Moreover, if you are looking for something with a kick, don’t miss their smoky and perfectly spiced shakshuka.  5. Coworking At Plan B For Community And Connection  As I have already mentioned, Weligama is a prime location for digital nomads. Plan B is one of the prime destinations for digital nomads here.  Furthermore, if you need to answer emails, crunch numbers, or take a Zoom call without sacrificing your tropical state of mind, Plan B is the place to be.  It is an excellent fusion of a cozy garden cafe, coworking hub, and coliving space. Furthermore, there is a shaded courtyard at the epicenter of the cafe.  The space hums with gentle productivity; you will find professionals from across the globe typing away over iced lattes while jazz music filters through the trees.  Moreover, the beauty of Plan B is inclusivity. You will not need a formal workspace pass to enjoy the grounds.  Their smoothie bowls are amazing, and so are the traditional Sri Lankan hoppers and decadent eggs Florentine. You will also find many delightful vegan options here. 6. Enjoying Seafood By The Shore: A Culinary Feast At Maru Weligama is not just about cafes and local rice-and-curry spots when it comes to food. Maru, for example, is a place that elevates the beachfront dining experience.  It is right against the ocean’s edge, and the restaurant celebrates the bounty brought in daily by Weligama’s fishing fleets.  Furthermore, the menu here focuses heavily on bright, clean, and coastal flavors.  For example, the shrimp ceviche is a masterclass with fresh flavors and the right acidic balance. It is perfect for a hot midday meal.  Moreover, if you are looking for something hearty and healthy, try their assorted teriyaki and fresh fish poke bowls with crisp veggies, seasoned sushi rice, and premium cuts of fish.  In addition, Maru offers the most delightful perk in the form of the on-site swimming pool. I took a dip there before and after the meal.  So, it is an amazing base camp to escape the intense midday Sun, work, enjoy the ocean breeze, and indulge in a leisurely lunch.  7. Unwinding At Zephyr Zephyr becomes the go-to place after the surfboard rental shacks close their doors. It offers meticulously crafted cocktail, and the nightlife here is not pretentious.  Instead, you will find a highly sophisticated, relaxed beachside aesthetic here.  Moreover, the bar staff here is well aware of the finer details of classic cocktails.  Their espresso martini is properly frothy and bitter, while their classic mojito relies on freshly plucked mint and perfectly balanced lime juice.  While primarily celebrated for its drinks, Zephyr surprises many with its highly curated food menu.  Instead of heavy entrees, they specialize in elevated small plates designed to complement the spirits.  The seared tuna plate, crusted in local spices and perfectly rare at the center, is an absolute must-try. Like Maru, Zephyr features a pool that adds to its luxury-resort feel.  Essential Day Trips Beyond Weligama Bay You can extend the list of what to do in Weligama thanks to its unique geographic location.  It is a delightful epicenter for exploring the culture, wildlife, and history of southern Sri Lanka. 1. Galle Fort You can take a tuk-tuk ride for 45 minutes to reach Galle Fort.  It is a A gorgeous UNESCO Heritage site filled with 16th-century Portuguese and Dutch colonial architecture, high-end boutiques, jewelry galleries, and a striking seaside lighthouse. 2. Handunugoda Tea Estate The tea estate is a 45-minute scooter ride from Weligama.  It is a lush lowland plantation producing legendary "Virgin White Tea," completely untouched by human skin during harvesting. Here, you will enjoy fascinating machinery tours and extensive tea tastings. 3. Yala National Park  You can take a car ride of 3 hours to reach the Yala National Park.  The Yala National Park is an intense, bucket-list wildlife safari. Leave in the pre-dawn hours to spot wild Asian elephants, crocodiles, leopards, and diverse birdlife in their natural habitats.

BY  Sibashree Jul 21, 2026

Killinocchi is a place where the sparks of protests are not extinguished completely.  As I am penning this article in July 2026, the arrest of the Tamil rapper Sangeethsan and the protests of the locals condemning the PTA, or Prevention of Terrorism Act, a month back, make me concerned.  The Kilinochchi District Civil Organisations were behind the demonstrations, and the theme was “Let us unite to break the chains around our voices.” In plain sight, Killinochi is a town where paddy fields, temple bells, and war memorials share the same stretch of road. However, if you want to know about the history of this town and understand how it is getting rebuilt after the Civil War, you need to spend some time in Killinochi.  Moreover, of all the places I have covered on my Sri Lanka trips, Vavuniya and Mannar had already told me that the Northern Province holds a different Sri Lanka altogether. Also, Northern Sri Lanka does not sit on any typical bucket list. Kilinochchi is the next chapter of that same story. Kilinochchi: Quick Facts ProvinceNorthern Province, Sri LankaDistrictKilinochchi DistrictDistance from JaffnaAround 330 kmMain HighwayA9 (Kandy-Jaffna Highway)Founded1936, as a colonization settlement for Jaffna's farmersFormer StatusDe facto administrative capital of the LTTE until 2009Main LivelihoodPaddy farming and agricultureBest Time to VisitThe dry season from May to September Where Is Kilinochchi And How Do I Reach It? Kilinochchi is on the A9 Highway that connects Jaffna to Kandy.  I was traveling from Anuradhapura, and I reached Kilinochchi after three hours in a car. After Vavuniya, it was Kilinochchi that Ravi introduced me to.  However, you can travel to Kilinochchi by train and bus.  Traveling By Train  However, if you are traveling from Colombo, you can take the train on the Yal Devi Line continuing to Jaffna.  Overall, it is a train journey of 5-6 hours. This is one of the most beautiful train journeys of Sri Lanka, with the landscape flattening out into dry-zone scrubland somewhere past Vavuniya. 44089 Kankasanthure Night Mail - Moratuwa - Kankesanthurai, 444421 Intercity Express - Mount Lavinia - Kankesanthurai, and 44477 Yal Devi - Colombo Fort - Kanakasanthurai are the trains plying on this route. A ticket for the second-class reserved category will cost LKR 1700, and the ticket price for the AC saloon car will be between LKR 2400 and LKR 3000.  Traveling By Bus  If you are a backpacker, you can also board a Colombo-Jaffna or an Anuradhapura-Jaffna bus.  You will get semi-luxury and premium-luxury bus options on this route, and the travel time will be around 7 hours.  Also, the ticket price will be between LKR 1800 and 3000. What Is The History Of Kilinochchi? The history of Kilinochchi goes back to 1936.  In the same year, Kilinochchi was constructed as part of a colonization scheme meant to ease overcrowding and unemployment in Jaffna.  The farmers came here to take part in paddy cultivation supported by government land grants. However, the recent history of the Sri Lankan Civil War has primarily shaped it today.  Kilinochchi was the de facto administrative capital of the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) during the final phase of the civil war.  At the same time, Jaffna, with its strong Tamil base, remained under government control.  Then, with the Sri Lankan forces closing in on Kilinochchi in December 2008, the LTTE forced many civilians to flee with them toward Mullaitivu. Thus, the LTTEs used the civilians here as human shields.  However, before fleeing the town, the LTTEs blew up the town's main water tower in an act of scorched-earth destruction, cutting off the town's water supply in an already dry region. Nevertheless, the Sri Lankan army took charge of Kilinochchi on 2nd January 2009.  It was one of the major landmarks toward the end of the Civil War, and it finally ended in May 2009.  After that, Kilinochchi has worked on rebuilding itself.  It now has new water infrastructure, roads, and returning farming communities. Today, it stands as a quiet marker of how a place absorbs a violent past and keeps going. My Day In Kilinochchi Kilinochchi offers a sobering experience, and once you get involved in the history of the Civil War, most of your time will go into pondering and understanding what actually happened.  Nevertheless, here are the highlights of my day in Kilinochchi. 1. The Story Of The Water Tower Ravi first took me to the fallen water tower.  For years, the collapsed remains of the tower bombed by the LTTE in 2008 lay exactly where they fell, fenced off as an informal memorial along the highway. However, in 2020, the structure was finally removed to make space for a new building. While I could not see the fallen tower, it was not difficult for me to visualize the anarchy and destruction.  This was a monument not to victory or grandeur, but to how war strips away the most basic necessities, in this case, clean drinking water in a region where water is already scarce. 2. The Kilinochchi War Memorial The Kilinochchi War Memorial was very close to Kilinochchi Town. It commemorates how the Sri Lankan military recaptured the town in 2009.  I had mixed feelings as I approached the site.  The memorial itself is a straightforward structure offering you the moment of truth.  However, of course, you will interpret the truth depending on which side of the conflict's history you come from. I found a few tourists taking photos of the memorial. However, I spent the time talking to the locals, and I tried to understand what the final months felt like.  3. Elephant Pass The Elephant Pass was just a short distance away from the town of Kilinochchi.  It is a narrow strip of land that connects the mainland to the Jaffna peninsula.  This was one of the most fiercely contested locations throughout the entire civil war, changing hands multiple times between government forces and the LTTE. However, when you visit it today, you will only see a quiet causeway with the Elephant Pass lagoon stretching out on either side. Still, the personnel there will share the details of the war if you approach them.  4. Iranamadu Tank Visiting the Iranamadu Tank was a welcome break after exploring the grim history of civil war in Kilinochchi.  It is one of the largest man-made reservoirs in the region. It was originally built for the water supply to the surrounding paddy fields.  I visited the tank in the late afternoon and spotted local fishermen rowing out onto the water. A few egrets were also picking through the shallows.  5. Chundikulam National Park Chundikulam National Park is a delightful detour if you are visiting Kilinochchi in the winter migratory season.  This wetland hosts large flocks of Greater Flamingos. Furthermore, many other migratory birds pass through the brackish lagoon system in this season.  I did not manage to see the flamingos myself, as I visited outside the migratory window. However, locals I spoke to described early mornings here as one of the best birdwatching experiences in the entire Northern Province. 6. The Local Temples And Kanagapuram Kovil Like the temples in Jaffna, Kilinochchi's Tamil Hindu identity shows up in its temples or kovils. I stopped briefly at Kanagapuram Kovil, a modest temple with local visitors. Also, don’t forget to visit the Kaala Vairavar Temple when you are in Kilinochchi.  7. The Kilinochchi Market Before heading out of town, I walked through the local market, where vendors sold fresh produce, dried fish, and simple Tamil snacks. It was a good reminder that beneath the weight of Kilinochchi's recent history, everyday life here continues much like anywhere else in rural Sri Lanka. What To Eat In Kilinochchi The food in Kilinochchi has the same Tamil roots as the food in Jaffna.  It was a great experience trying Thosai and Idiyappam for breakfast and dinner in a rural setup.  Also, the coconut sambal and sambar were great and spicier than what we are used to having in South India.  Kothu Roti, a chopped roti stir-fried with vegetables, egg, and spices, is another filling option for lunch. Also, you cannot miss the Jaffna-Style Crab Curry. It is a spicy and tangy curry. Pittu, steamed rice flour with grated coconut, is another Tamil staple worth trying here. I ate at a small, no-frills eatery near the town center, and it remains one of the more memorable simple meals of my entire Sri Lanka trip. Where To Stay In Kilinochchi Accommodation options are limited in Kilinochchi, and you will only find budget and mid-range guesthouses and small hotels in the town center. So, if you are planning to spend a night in Kilinochchi, expect modest, rural hospitality.  What Is The Best Time To Visit Kilinochchi? May to September, or the dry season, is the most ideal time for a visit to Kilinochchi.  However, remember that the Northern Province of Sri Lanka is punishingly hot at midday, irrespective of the season of the visit.  Furthermore, if birdwatching at Chundikulam National Park is on your list, plan your visit around the winter migratory season instead.