Beach tennis combines elements of tennis, badminton, and volleyball, played on sand. It’s a fun, fast-paced sport that’s easy to pick up and suitable for all ages. Our beach tennis court at Cape Weligama follows the standard dimensions, the same as beach volleyball: 16 meters long and 8 meters wide. You’ll be playing right where the views are at their best.For a slower-paced yet equally engaging option, try your hand at pétanque, a classic French game played on the beach with metal boules. It’s a game of precision and strategy that’s just as enjoyable for beginners as it is for seasoned players, perfect for relaxed competition by the ocean.

Beach Tennis – The Rules:

Players:
Singles (1 vs 1) or Doubles (2 vs 2)

Scoring:
Follows classic tennis scoring: 15, 30, 40, Game.
No advantage rule; next point wins at 40–40 (Deuce).

Serving:
Serve underarm or overarm.
Only one serve per point (no second serves).
Server must stand behind the baseline.

Gameplay:
The ball must never touch the ground; keep it in the air.
Only one hit allowed per side.
No volleys using the hand or body.

Match Format:
Matches are usually best of 3 sets.
First to 6 games wins the set (win by 2, or tie-break at 6–6).

Fair Play & Safety:
Always respect your opponents.
Avoid powerful shots aimed at the body.
Play barefoot or wear appropriate beach footwear.

Equipment:
Beach tennis paddles and low-pressure orange balls are required (we’ve got these ready for you).

Pétanque – Quick Rules & Etiquette:

Objective:
Throw your boules as close as possible to the small wooden ball, the jack (cochonnet).
The team with the closest boule scores points.
The set of 8 boules has 4 different patterns of engraved lines – 2 boules per pattern.

Teams & Boules:
Singles: 1 vs 1 (4 boules each – 2 boule pattern per player).
Doubles: 2 vs 2 (2 boules each – 1 boule pattern per player).

Playing Area & Start:
Circle: 35–50 cm drawn on the ground.
Jack: Thrown 6–10 m away, at least 1 m from obstacles.
Both feet stay in the circle until the boule lands.

Order of Play:
Team that throws the jack plays first boule.
Opponents throw until one boule is closer.
Alternate until all boules are thrown.

Scoring:
Team with closest boule scores.
1 point per boule closer than opponents’ nearest.
First team to 13 points wins.

Common Fouls:
Stepping out of the circle before the throw lands.
Jack not landing 6–10 m away.
Throwing out of turn.
Exceeding 1-minute time limit.
Jack knocked out of play.

Etiquette:
Stay quiet & still when others throw.
Don’t walk between circle and jack.
Measure carefully when unclear.
Shake hands before & after the game.
Respect the terrain & equipment.

Ready to play? Whether it’s a fast-paced rally of beach tennis or a laid-back game of pétanque, gather your friends and family, and make every game a moment to remember.

Beach games at Cape Weligama