Mirissa is a small town on Sri Lanka’s south coast. Known as the main beach destination, the area has it all. Some of the fun things to do in Mirissa include swimming, surfing, whale watching, and trying Sri Lankan food. Know exactly what to do in Mirissa, whether you’re traveling solo or with companions, with these famous spots.
Picture yourself relaxing on a hammock with a coconut in your hand and the sea breeze touching your face - that’s Mirissa Beach in a nutshell. Apart from the laid back atmosphere, you’ll also enjoy the shacks made simply of bamboo and palm frond. At night, each table has a lantern and every palm tree its fairy lights. Try the fresh seafood during a sunset dinner and at night, enjoy some cocktails. If you’re into the relaxing beach vibe, surfing, and beers, you’ll like this side of Mirissa.
A landscape like no other, Coconut Tree Hill (also called Palm Tree Grove) is a small palm tree forest set on a high reddish cliff, which overlooks the majestic waters of the Indian Ocean. Its unique beauty has made it Instagram famous and has made it one of the must-visit destinations in Sri Lanka. From Mirissa Beach, it will only take you 10 to 15 minutes on foot to the hill. You can access it from morning to evening at no cost.
Secret Beach is just around the corner from the main beach. Despite its name, it’s not-so-secret anymore as many people now know about it. At one point it was enjoyed only by the locals before tourists discovered it. You may not have the place completely to yourself, but it’s still relatively more peaceful compared to the main beach. The best things about it is that entrance is free and down the sand is a beach bar where you can enjoy cocktails while watching the sun go down.
A great spot located on the left side of Mirissa Beach, Parrot Rock Bridge is a small rock where you can climb up to see a bit of the Mirissa area. You will need to walk a bit through the water and with the high tide and wild waters, it may be difficult to go here. The best thing to do is to come early in the morning to enjoy the low tides and the refreshing sea breeze, or in the evening to enjoy the breathtaking sunset.
Polhena Beach offers the perfect atmosphere for a beach getaway as it is free from the crowds of tourists. Located not far from the city centre of Matara, this small sandy cove is sheltered by a reef offshore. Compared to the other famous beaches in the area, Polhena beach is relatively small and due to the reef, the waters form a shallow natural pool that makes it perfect for families with kids. Even the waves are relatively calmer than that in Galle and Weligama.
Located right in the heart of Mirissa Beach, Giragala is the perfect spot for travelers to discover Mirissa. Its convenient location provides easy access to the sea, whale-watching activities, as well as other nearby must-see destinations for travelers seeking the Sri Lankan charm, peace, and comfort. This beachfront property is also adorned with hammocks and coconut trees that just provide the ideal spot for relaxation. Apart from the beauty of nature, guests can also enjoy the breathtaking garden, and for those traveling with kids, a children’s playground.
Weligama is a laid-back fishing town just 23 kilometres east of Unawatuna. In it is the humble Weligama Bay, a horseshoe-shaped cove with craggy bluffs. The bay is fringed with fine golden sand and dotted with rocky outcrops. At the east end of the beach, you’ll find the new Courtyard by Marriott Hotel towering over the surrounding buildings. There’s not much to do here, so if you’re the kind of traveler who simply wants to lounge in the sun and go for a quick dip, visit Weligama Bay.
Mirissa is the best place for whale watching, one of the best things to do in Sri Lanka. You’ll find the largest marine mammal, Blue Whales, in the city and it also only takes six to nine nautical miles from the harbor to reach whale habitats by boat - and that means good chances of sightings. Apart from blue whales, you can also find other marine animals like whale sharks, sperm whales, bottlenose dolphins, striped dolphins, flying fish, sea turtles, and more.
A Buddhist temple on a coconut grove near the beaches of Mirissa, Samudragiri Viharaya is said to be located exactly where the Prince Dantha and Princess Hemamala landed in Sri Lanka with the tooth relic of Buddha. The temple’s history is not well-documented but there is proof that it has existed in the 18th century. Although the site has been heavily damaged by the civil war and tsunami, it was declared a national heritage due to the beautiful murals on the image house belonging to the Kandyan era.
Mirissa Eco Lagoon Safari is a wildlife park perfect for a break from the beaches of Mirissa. Offering a range of activities from water sports to boat tours, the park provides locals and tourists alike the opportunity to see different animal species. Birds like eagles and kingfishers are out and about. At dusk, you’ll see thousands of enormous fruit bats known as Flying Foxes soaring overhead during the last light of day - the perfect finale for a day at the lagoon.
A palm tree-lined golden beach, Mirissa is best known for being a popular beach destination in Sri Lanka. This city is filled with surfers, hidden hotels, and trendy shops, but one of the best things to do here is to go blue whale watching. You can also find an abundance of marine life including, turtles, dolphins, orcas, whale sharks, and sperm whales.
Any month of the year is a good time to visit Mirissa as this beautiful beach destination has comfortable temperatures throughout most of the year, given the humidity and rare chances of rainfall. The peak travel time is December, however, as the weather is not too hot and the place is not too windy.
The beach is the main reason many people travel to Mirissa so if you’re planning to spend most of your time in the waters, any Mirissa beach hotel is a good option. Getting around town is very easy, too, and most things to do in the city are within walking distance from the beach area. If you decide to stay a little further away from the sea, though, tuk-tuk fares are cheap anyway.