Duwa Villas
Weligama

Tucked away on island of Thal Duwa, meaning “Palm Island”, and encircled by a meandering river just inland from the golden beaches of Ahangama, Duwa Villas is a secret you’ll be tempted to keep to yourself. This private island retreat offers a rare blend of barefoot seclusion, boutique style and warm hospitality, a true sanctuary for travellers looking to unwind in nature without sacrificing comfort or charm.

The four separate villas are Dutch Colonial with a modern tropical soul, and sit among lush gardens of cinnamon, mango, coconut and flowering hibiscus. Each of the villas is spacious and effortlessly elegant, designed with a fusion of natural materials, antique furnishings and clean, contemporary lines. With four en-suite bedrooms apiece, each villa accommodates up to eight guests, making this an idyllic choice for families or groups of friends seeking privacy and space.

Inside, you'll find wide open living and dining spaces, ceiling fans lazily whirring overhead, and floor-to-ceiling doors that open onto shaded verandahs and private plunge pools. The layout invites a natural rhythm of indoor-outdoor living; sunrise coffees surrounded by birdsong, afternoons cooling off in the pool and long, candlelit dinners under the stars.

Cuisine is a cornerstone of the Duwa Villas experience. The estate’s chefs prepare a delicious mix of Sri Lankan and Western dishes, using fresh produce grown on the island and seafood sourced locally. Meals are served in your villa at your preferred time and pace, or for those curious about local cooking traditions, join the chefs in the kitchen for a hands-on lesson in hoppers, sambols and fragrant curries. Guests are also welcome to self-cater using the butler’s pantry and main villa kitchen.

Life on Thal Duwa moves to its own gentle rhythm. Paddle out on a canoe to explore the surrounding waterways, teeming with birdlife and fringed with whispering reeds. Try stand-up paddleboarding at sunrise, or cast a fishing line into the river’s calm depths. Yoga sessions and spa treatments can be arranged in the privacy of your villa or under the shade of swaying palms.

Though Duwa Villas feels utterly remote, it’s just a short drive to the beaches of Ahangama and Weligama, the stilt fishermen of Koggala and the cobbled streets of UNESCO-listed Galle Fort. But many guests find it hard to leave the peace of the island, where the only traffic comes from egrets overhead and the rustle of palm fronds in the breeze.

Refined, relaxed and deeply restorative, Duwa Villas offers a truly special kind of escape, a hidden Eden where time slows, senses awaken and every detail is quietly taken care of.

Travelling is like flirting with life. It's like saying, 'I would stay and love you, but I have to go; this is my station.
Lisa St. Aubin de Teran