Midigama Beach Sri Lanka: The Forgotten Town Of The South Coast
- Kate Colliety
- Aug 11
- 7 min read
Updated: Aug 14
To us, Midigama felt like the forgotten town of Sri Lanka’s south coast. Somehow, it had avoided the mass infrastructure of Mirissa and Weligama and had solidified its identity in wooden shacks, lazy surf days and local curry and rice!
Perfect, if you ask us!
This one-horse town consists of a line of local restaurants, guesthouses and surf shops along the busy A2 which runs the length of the coast. Easy to miss and overlook on your way to the hotspot Weligama but a slice of local life and nostalgia.
If you’re planning your trip to Sri Lanka and wondering what Midigama has to offer, then you’re in the right place. We share the best Midigama Hotels, where to eat, top surf spots and everything you need to know about visiting Midigama Sri Lanka.
Discover The Top Things To Do In Sri Lanka!
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Why Visit Midigama?
The great thing about Sri Lanka’s coastline is that it is all connected by one road making it the perfect place to hop on and off the bus and explore different towns.
This means Midigama makes the perfect day trip destination if you want to explore a new surf spot or escape the crowded beaches and sunbathe alone on Midigama Beach. Alternatively, you could base yourself here for a slower, more peaceful experience while taking day trips to livelier spots like Weligama or Mirissa.
The choice is yours!
But one thing is certain, you should visit, so here’s the top things to do in Midigama!
Carry cash as there are no ATMs in Midigama! The closest are in Weligama and Ahangama.
9 Top Things To Do In Midigama
Surf In Midigama
Midigama is a quiet surf spot perfect for advanced surfers, with popular breaks like Coconuts, Plantation Point, Rams, Lazy Left, and Lazy Right. We checked out these spots ourselves, but since we’re still at the beginning of our surfing journey, we decided to watch from the shore rather than risk getting cut up by the reef!
If you’re looking to get away from the rookies (like us), then Midigama is the perfect surf town.
Midigama Beach
When we visited, the beach at Midigama was empty, just us, the palm trees and turquoise Indian Ocean. There are a few beach side vendors selling fresh coconuts and that’s about it.
The beach is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, or simply watching the surfers ride the waves. The soft sand and clear water make it a peaceful escape from busier nearby beaches like Mirissa or Weligama.
Eat Local Cuisine
Some of the best food we had in Sri Lanka came from unassuming wooden shacks run by local families. We often filled ourselves up on roti, sambal, and for breakfast, hoppers, all delicious. When travelling we always found eating the local food kept us on budget plus in most cases it was more delicious than the western food options!
Below we share our top picks of where to eat in Midigama!
Photography
The dusty hues of central Asia, flying tuktuks, local way of life, drying fish and iconic palm trees are only a few subjects you can find in Midigama. The town makes the perfect backdrop to capture authentic Sri Lanka!
Best photography spots include the morning fish market near the main road, sunset shots from the beach and general local life.
A short tuk-tuk ride or walk away, you’ll find the famous stilt fishermen. This traditional practise has become something of a tourist attraction, with locals often posing for paid photos.
We share our thoughts on this and offer a detailed guide to visiting the stilt fishermen in a dedicated blog post.
Although the town isn’t known for its nightlife (head to Mirissa’s Doctor’s House for the best night), you can still enjoy a few drinks and a dance at Lazies Midigama.
They host a party every Tuesday at the Midigama Junction. Entrance is free before 8pm, then 1,000 LKR until midnight, and 2,000 LKR after 12am… just to give you a feel for the vibe, the later it gets, the wilder it gets. There are often local DJs playing late into the night.
Kabalana Beach
Just a 10-minute tuk-tuk ride north of Midigama, Kabalana Beach is a stunning stretch of soft sand. It's more spacious and slightly more polished than Midigama, but still far from overdeveloped.
Known for its consistent surf, Kabalana is home to "The Rock" a powerful A-frame break suited for experienced surfers. But there’s also a gentler beach break nearby that's great for beginners or anyone just looking to paddle out and have some fun.
If surfing’s not your thing, Kabalana is still worth a visit. There are a few stylish cafés and beach clubs dotted along the shore where you can grab brunch or sunset cocktails.
Visit Ahangama
If you’re already heading up to Kabalana, it’s worth continuing a little further to explore Ahangama, one of the coolest up-and-coming surf towns on the south coast.
Ahangama has a more modern, surf-chic vibe with trendy cafés, beach bars, and boutique shops, while still keeping its local soul. It’s great for brunch, sunset cocktails, or a slow afternoon exploring.
Day Trip To Weligama & Mirissa
If you’ve chosen to stay in Midigama as your base then day trips to Weligama and Mirissa are must! These towns have it all, surf breaks, snorkelling, whale tours, fine dining and a huge backpacker community!
Where To Stay In Midigama
A family-run guesthouse with clean, comfortable rooms and a friendly atmosphere. Located close to the main road and beach, it’s ideal for travellers who want a relaxed stay with good food on site.
Surfing Wombats is one of the most lively and popular surf hostels in Midigama. Just 2 minutes away from beach Surfing Wombats is the perfect place to meet likeminded people, plus they have amazing pizza.
Where To Eat In Midigama
Wild Beach Cafe
If you’re looking for local, homemade food then Wild Beach Cafe is perfect. The tables are on the beach with a prime view of the sunset. We’d recommend a traditional curry or fried rice followed by a banana pancake! Location 📌
Plantation Surf Inn’s Family Kitchen
Just off the main road, this family kitchen serves a hearty rice-and-curry, seafood and local favourites in a relaxed setting. Location 📌
Blue Portch Surf View Restaurant
One of the most popular restaurants in Midigama is Blue Portch Surf View. Here you can enjoy a mixture of Sri Lankan and Western cuisine while watching Ram’s Right surf break. Location 📌
Mama’s Restaurant
If you’re extra hungry after your surf then head to Mama’s where they do an all-you-can-eat rice and curry buffet. Head upstairs for ocean views and expect some other friendly backpackers and surfers. Location 📌
If you’re staying in a homestay with a local family we recommend you have breakfast! All our breakfasts have been delicious and huge portions!
Best Time To Visit Midigama
The best time to visit Midigama is during the dry season, which also coincides with the prime surf season from November to April. We visited in November and it was still quiet, with some places just starting to open up for the peak season.
From May to October, the south coast experiences the monsoon season, bringing heavier rains and rougher seas making it less ideal for swimming and surf.
How To Get To Midigama
One of the most scenic and budget friendly ways to get to Midigama is by train. From Colombo Fort, take the coastal railway line to Ahangama. The journey takes around 3 hours. From Ahangama Train Station take a 5 minute tuk tuk taxi to Midigama.
Buses are the cheapest way to travel around Sri Lanka. From Colombo, take a Matara-bound bus, then hop off at Midigama, it’s best to tell your driver so they can tell you when you need to get off.
Travel by private care with this transfer from Colombo to Midigama
Travel Sri Lanka By Tuktuk
Tuk tuk rentals are popular and you’ll see loads of other tourists in their hired three-wheeled rides around the south coast. We hired ours from Tuk tuk Rental and had the best roadtrip of our lives, an experience we’d recommend to anyone!
Use our code KandM for 5% off!
FAQs About Midigama Beach Sri Lanka
Where is Midigama, Sri Lanka located?
Midigama Beach Sri Lanka is a small coastal town on Sri Lanka’s South Coast, situated between Weligama and Ahangama. It has avoided the mass infrastructure and has the most perfect local vibe.
What is Midigama known for?
Midigama is known for its quiet surf spots, traditional fishing communities, and laid-back local vibe away from the busier tourist hubs.
When is the best time to visit Midigama?
The best time to visit Midigama is during the dry season from November to April, which also aligns with the prime surf season.
How do I get to Midigama?
Midigama is accessible by bus or tuk-tuk from nearby towns like Weligama, Galle, or Colombo. The main A2 road runs through the town, connecting it to the rest of the south coast.
What are the top surf spots in Midigama?
Popular surf breaks in Midigama include Ram’s Right, Plantation Point, Coconuts, Lazy Left, and Lazy Right.
Is there an ATM in Midigama?
No, you will have to travel to Weligama or Ahangama for an ATM. This might feel like a pain but just make sure to stock up on cash before visiting, it’ll be worth it!
Top Tips For Travelling Sri Lanka
If you’re visiting Sri Lanka here are our top travel tips:
Rent a Tuk Tuk as Transport - This made our trip! Not only did we have complete freedom and flexibility it allowed us to have authentic relationships with locals. Use our code "KandM" for 5% off Tuktuk Rental
Stay in Homestays - Staying in local homestays meant we experienced authentic food and the local way of life. Everyone was extremely friendly and happy to help.
Don’t Forget the North - Many tourists stick to the south coast but if you have time explore places such as Anuradhapura, Trincomalee and Arugam bay!
Embrace The Chaos and get stuck in, the locals are friendly and love to help and share information about their home!
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Thank you for reading and enjoy your Sri Lankan adventure. Reach out to us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels. We always love to hear from people who read our blogs!
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