The Mirissa Bay is a beautiful crescent of sand bordered by hills and greenery, making it a uniquely captivating place in the South coast. On the South end of the bay you will spot the famous Rock/Island which is accessible by land during low tide and with a short swim/wade during high tide. Watching the sunset from the Rock is like witnessing a small miracle.

Another famous spot to watch the sunset from and enjoy the scenery in general is Coconut Tree Hill. A beautiful palm tree covered spot with some of the most spectacular views on the South Coast, and a perfect place for that Instagram picture.

Mirissa beach is also a great place to surf from. Although it is not as beginner friendly as Weligama, Mirissa offers some great waves for intermediate surfers just to the left of the Mirissa rock. Surfer or no, Mirissa’s beautiful clear waters and laid back vibes are sure to make you stay longer than you intended!

Mirissa beach is a great place for sunbathing. Just grab a drink at one of the many restaurants along the beach and relax on a sunbed as you read your yoga manual. Speaking of which, this stretch of the South coast is also well known for its yoga practitioners, especially the white Western type, who will no doubt teach you the best poses in the shortest amount of time to instill in you a sense of wellness even if you are only there for a short holiday.

The seafood along Mirissa beach is notorious for its freshness. Every evening you can simply walk upto restaurants and pick any number of fresh offerings from the sea for the establishment to then cook, grill, or fry for you. Take in the balmy air and beautiful sunset as you sip your drink and wait for your food, enjoying the beautiful company of fellow travelers from all over the world. 

Whale watching is a very popular thing to do in Mirissa. On a good day you can spot common, spinner and bottlenose dolphins and even some Striped and Risso’s dolphins if you are lucky. Turtles are common sight and tuna and flying fish are something to look out for. Of course the main attraction are the whales, and in Mirissa you can spot some glorious animals such as Blue whales, Bryde’s whales, Sperm whales, Orca whales and Fin whales.

The best time for whale watching in Mirissa and in the South of Sri Lanka in general is between December and March. Mirissa offers accommodation options for travelers of all budgets and walks of life. A few places we recommend include Mandara Resort, Mirissa Hills and Citrine Mirissa.