Taprobane Island: Walking Through the Sea to a 1920s "Floating" Estate in Weligama

 If you’ve ever stood on the golden crescent of Weligama Bay and gazed out at the Indian Ocean, your eyes have likely been drawn to a peculiar sight: a dense, green clump of jungle seemingly floating on the water. It looks almost too perfect to be real, a private Eden anchored just 200 yards from the shore. This is Taprobane Island, and while you can snap a thousand photos of it from the beach, the real magic happens when the tide rolls out and a path appears in the sea to reach it .

This isn't just another rock in the ocean. It is a story of exile, glamour, and romance, waiting just off the coast.

The "Floating" Estate and Its Count

Locals originally knew this islet as Galduwa, or "Rock Island" . However, its destiny changed forever in the 1920s when an exiled French count—Maurice Talvande, who styled himself as the Count de Mauny—set his eyes on it. He was searching for an "earthly paradise," and he found it here .

The Count purchased the island and embarked on an ambitious project. He transformed the barren rock into a lush, tropical jungle, importing soil and exotic plants to create his own private Eden. At the heart of it, he built a stunning, airy, white Neo-Palladian villa. With its red-tiled roof peeking through the canopy, it looks like a Hollywood film set dropped into the ocean .

Since the Count's time, the island has passed through the hands of fascinating figures, including the American composer and author Paul Bowles, who sought solitude there in the 1950s . Today, it remains a private home, often rented out as an ultra-exclusive retreat for celebrities and those seeking the ultimate in privacy—Kylie Minogue, inspired by her stay, even wrote a song about it titled Taprobane (Extraordinary Day) .

The Draw: A Walk on Water

What makes Taprobane an unmissable part of the Weligama experience is the unique way you can approach it. Because the island sits so close to the mainland, a natural sand spit is revealed during low tide. For a brief, magical window, the ocean parts, and you can actually walk across the seafloor to reach the island .

Note for the visitor: The villa itself is private property. Unless you are a guest, you cannot enter the house or the immediate gardens. However, the experience of walking out to the island's base is not to be missed.

The Vibe: Pure 1920s Glamour at Sunset

While the house remains a private sanctuary, the perimeter of the island belongs to the sunset. This is where the "hidden" experience of Weligama truly shines.

As the sun begins its descent, casting a golden, honeyed light over the bay, grab your camera and kick off your sandals. Walk across the wet sand—still glistening from the receding tide—and stand at the foot of the island's massive boulders. From here, you are looking up at the white villa through the dense foliage, just as travelers might have done a century ago.

It is pure 1920s glamour. You can almost hear the clink of glasses from a long-ago cocktail party on the veranda. The crashing surf on the outer rocks, the silhouette of stilt fishermen in the distance, and the looming, romantic villa above you create an atmosphere that is both exhilarating and deeply serene.

For a moment that feels like your own secret, time your visit to Weligama with the low tide. Walk out to Taprobane Island. You can't go inside, but you can stand on the threshold of history, watching the sunset over the Indian Ocean, and feel like you've stumbled into a forgotten chapter of a Fitzgerald novel.

Weligama Life Travel Tip: Always check the local tide charts before heading out. The walk to the island is safe and shallow, but it's essential to be aware of the tide times to ensure you don't get caught off guard on your way back