Sprawling beaches of soft white sand and bright blue waters dotted with clusters of rock, Mirissa is one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka for swimming. With its laid back hippy vibe, fresh seafood restaurants, bars on the beach, and parties at night, this part of the southern coast of Sri Lanka is a true island experience.
located on the island’s southernmost point, Mirissa is a major fishing port and a small beach town with wide beaches mixed with dense groves of palm trees. The west side of the beach is well-known for watersports; especially surfing, as well as its amazing coral reefs that are perfect for snorkelling.
You should ideally travel to Mirissa in time for the whale-watching season which occurs from November to April each year. Blue whales are the most commonly spotted species in the waters here while there are chances you might catch a glimpse of sperm whales, Bryde’s whales and if you are lucky enough perhaps a killer whale (Orca) or two as well. On your way out to sea, you are often greeted by pods of friendly and graceful dolphins, quite enthusiastic to put on a show for their audience.
For experiences closer to land consider visiting the famous reddish Parrot Rock adjoining the shores of Mirissa with naturally carved narrow steps leading up across the rocky ocean waters to the top for a magical view of the horizon. The climb is easy, nevertheless, it isn’t for the faint of heart! Coconut hill is yet another beautiful place to visit and has become quite a popular spot for very instagrammable pictures. The place is a hill with tall coconut trees sprouting up providing pleasant shade for visitors while they explore. Both Parrot Rock and Coconut Hill are best visited at sunrise and sunset for romantic views of the sky and ocean.
Beach lovers certainly have much to look forward to in Mirissa, but one of the most sought-after experiences is a visit to Secret Beach. It is named as such because the beach was an off the beaten track location and a closely guarded secret by the locals, but now Secret Beach is not so secret. It is still a beautiful spot and is perfect way to enjoy the Beach, so we understand the allure. The shallow waters and rock pools make the waters safe and perfect for a dip to cool off from the tropical heat. Mirissa offers all these experiences and much more; discover day trips to Galle Fort, Unawatuna Beach, and Weligama Beach for a good surf. You’ll just have to experience it all yourself!