Let’s discover our own country and its breathtaking sites in these columns dedicated to Discovering Sri Lanka. Before you embark on your next trip overseas on vacation we urge you to rethink if you have travelled our own country sufficiently. Discover Sri Lanka will spotlight on our own wonderful sites that locals and foreigners alike must visit – destinations that cannot be missed in your lifetime.
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Mirissa beach is one of the most popular beaches in Sri Lanka and is a little over a kilometre long with plenty of space to lay out your towel and just relax for a day.
It is a beautiful beach, with a relaxed and laidback atmosphere. The waves can get a bit big which is why this is one of the best surf spots in Sri Lanka. Along the beach are many small restaurants and cafes, serving delicious fresh seafood.
After sunset, the restaurants put out tables and chairs on the beach, light the lanterns and candles, and serve seafood barbecues. A super nice vibe and way to end your day at Mirissa beach!
Best tours in and around Mirissa
If you’re planning to explore the best of what Sri Lanka’s south coast has to offer, then these are the best guided tours. All of these tours include air conditioned transport with hotel pick up and drop off, certified guides and sometimes also lunch and the entrance fees. You can reserve now and pay later, with cancellation up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund.
• Whale watching in Mirissa. Get a chance to see blue whales, sperm whales, and fin whales as they swim in their natural habitat in Mirissa. A once in a lifetime experience!
• Yala safari experience with lunch at campsite from Mirissa. Experience a private full-day tour. Be collected from Mirissa to Yala National Park to witness leopards, bears, elephants, deer, crocodiles, and many more. Then enjoy a four-course lunch with beer at Leopard Nest campsite in the jungle.
• Private Whale Watching Tour with Sunset from Mirissa. Experience the thrill of searching for the Blue Whale and other whales and dolphins on this guided boat tour. Travel on a catamaran, swim, paddle board, and seek out marine life during sunset.
• Transfer to Ella with Udawalawe Safari from Mirissa. Enjoy a convenient shuttle service from Mirissa, Weligama, Unawatuna or Galle to Ella with a safari through Udawalawe National Park on the way. See wildlife in their natural habitat and enjoy a meal.
Things to do at Mirissa beach
Mirissa is designed for simply relaxing and enjoying the beach life. But if you really want to get up and do some action, there are a few things to do at Mirissa beach which can keep you busy for a day or two, maybe three!
Surfing
Mirissa beach is one of the most popular beaches in Sri Lanka to surf. Particularly the western end of the bay has bigger waves which makes it perfect for surfing. You can rent a surfboard at one of the surf shacks for around 400 LKR per hour.
Snorkeling
Because the water is very clear at Mirissa beach it makes it perfect to go snorkeling around the small reefs and rocks. The right side of Mirissa beach is the best spot for snorkeling.
Climb the Parrot rock
The Parrot rock is a small island which is connected with a bridge to Mirissa beach. It is really fun to climb the rock to get an amazing view on Mirissa Beach. This is especially in the afternoon a great thing to do to watch the sunset from this spot.
Enjoy Mirissa beach itself
There is enough space on Mirissa beach to spread out your towel and take in the beach life for a day. You can also rent sun beds if you want to make it yourself a bit more comfortable.
Eat and drink at the restaurants
If you’re hungry from all the active stuff, there are enough restaurants along the beach to fill your belly. Especially in the evening the great seafood restaurants pop up along the beach which makes it an unforgettable experience to dine on the beach!
Things to do around Mirissa beach
Whale watching
Mirissa is a great place to go whale watching. The whale watching season in Mirissa runs from November to April but for your best chance to see a whale you have to visit in March or April. There are many tour companies that offer whale and dolphin watching tours. If you are lucky you can get to see many different types of whales and dolphins. For example Blue whales, Bryde’s whales, Sperm whales, Fin whales and Orca’s have all been spotted along the coast of Mirissa. Other species that can be spotted are Common dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Spinner dolphins, Risso’s dolphins and Striped dolphins. You also have the chance of seeing turtles and various fish species. For example, Bluefin tuna and flying fish, so there are lots of options to spot marine life during a whale watching tour in Mirissa!
Explore Secret Beach Mirissa
If you want to relax on a more quiet and hidden beach, you might want to check out Secret Beach Mirissa. This idyllic V formed beach with overhanging palm trees was once only known by locals. But since it’s on Google Maps, more and more tourists found this Secret Beach. There is a local bar, the Secret Beach Bar which is located under the trees and is the perfect place to have lunch, a drink and relax in the shade. A perfect hideaway from the more busy Mirissa beach for a day!
Check out the Coconut Tree Hill
The Coconut Tree Hill gained a lot of attention through Instagram because of its beautiful view with the many perfect palm trees lined up. If you’re looking for a quick stop along the coast near Mirissa, this is a fun spot to snap a picture. But to be honest, there are many more hidden spots with many palm trees and sea views. So if you can’t make it to this spot, you’re not missing out on something very special.
Go to Galle for a day trip
Galle is an UNESCO World Heritage Site with imposing Dutch-colonial buildings, ancient mosques, churches and the famous lighthouse. It is really worth it to explore this town. Walk over the thick ramparts which were built by the Dutch merchants that controlled the city in the 17th century. There are also lots of cute boutique shops and cosy cafes and restaurants to fuel your body.
Visit Dondra lighthouse
Dondra Head Lighthouse is a lighthouse located on Dondra Head which is the southernmost point in Sri Lanka. Dondra lighthouse is Sri Lanka’s tallest lighthouse with 47 metres, and is even one of the tallest lighthouses in South East Asia! The lighthouse was built by the British in 1889 and is nowadays still operated and maintained by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.
Chill at Unawatuna beach
Unawatuna beach is one of the biggest tourist destinations in Sri Lanka and is the most “famous” beach on the island. It is a beautiful banana-shaped beach of golden sand with turquoise water, surrounded by green palm trees. But because this beach is one of the better known beaches in Sri Lanka, it is also one of the busier places. Although, it is a nice day trip if you stay in Mirissa and looking for something different to explore.
Mirissa weather
The best months to visit the south coast of Sri Lanka are from January until April and from July until September. In between those months you have more chance of rainfall because of the monsoon. Temperatures in Sri Lanka will be great and warm throughout the year, but on the south coast along the beaches it will always be a bit warmer than more inland.
– Courtesy Atiba and Ilse, the creative duo behind Digital Travel Couple (Fulltime travellers and travel bloggers)
