The beautiful coastal town of Mirissa lies in the southern shoreline of Sri Lanka, which was not so famous some time ago, but which gradually earned a reputation for the ever-changing waves, rich marine life and the golden stretches of sun-kissed beaches.
It is now one of the most-visited beaches on the southern coast of Sri Lanka and it is the likeliest location in South Asia to watch whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. Apart from this, things to do in Mirissa are countless, and we have listed down the best of them so that your trip to Mirissa is a fulfilling one.
How To Get To Mirissa
Mirissa is located approximately 170 kilometers away from the capital city of Colombo in Sri Lanka. It is a southern coastal town and you are able to reach it via the Southern Expressway, which is the easiest and the fastest route.
You can also choose to travel by the Galle road, which is more picturesque as it runs along the seaside, but considerably slower than the expressway. Public transport options are available such as buses and the train, so make sure you check how to get them arranged. You can also hire your own vehicle or an Uber from Colombo.
01. Enjoying The Mirissa Beach
One of the most famous and popular things to do in Mirissa is having fun on the stunning Mirissa beach. Mirissa beach is the main beach in the area and it is very popular with tourists for chilling and getting a tan. There are many spots around the beach from where you can rent a sunbed to chill on.
Apart from that, there are so many bars and restaurants clustered around the main Mirissa beach and they offer cocktails and beer at very low rates. Note to keep in mind is to catch a happy hour and the drinks will be even cheaper.
02. Exploring The Secret Beach Mirissa
One of the most famous and popular things to do in Mirissa is having fun on the stunning Mirissa beach. Mirissa beach is the main beach in the area and it is very popular with tourists for chilling and getting a tan. There are many spots around the beach from where you can rent a sunbed to chill on.
Apart from that, there are so many bars and restaurants clustered around the main Mirissa beach and they offer cocktails and beer at very low rates. Note to keep in mind is to catch a happy hour and the drinks will be even cheaper.
03. Visiting The Parrot Rock
Parrot Rock is a large rock prodding out of the water at the Mirissa beach. You won’t be able to climb it during the high tide, but climbing it during the low tide is one of the most memorable things to do in Mirissa. To anyone who enjoys panoramic views, parrot rock is one of the must-visit places in Mirissa.
From the top of the rock, the views you will see of the Mirissa town and the glistening Indian ocean are stunning and you will be able to climb, take some photos and enjoy, all in a mere half an hour. You can also enjoy the small tidal pools at the base of the rock.
04. Watching The Sunset From The Coconut Tree Hill
Coconut Tree Hill is a small hill covered with a picturesque coconut plantation and it is located only a 15 minutes’ drive away from the main Mirissa beach. It is one of the most Instagrammed locations on the island without a doubt due to its unique positioning facing the glistening sea.
Watching the sunset from Coconut Tree Hill is an enchanting experience, but due to the location being so popular, it can be a little crowded during the evenings. We suggest watching the sunrise from here by going there before 7 in the morning, and you will be able to have the entire place to yourself and capture some amazing photos to take home.
05. Whale Watching In Mirissa
Whale watching is the activity Mirissa is most famous for and it is considered to be one of the likeliest spots in South Asia to spot whales as well as dolphins. There are many companies that offer trips to the ocean where the experience of observing a whale up close beats any other experience you have had at the sea.
The best time to spot whales is from November to April, and the best time to spot Blue whales is around March and April. Early morning hours are the best time to take the rides into the sea as the waters are calm and it makes it easy to spot the marine life there.
06. Visit The Doctor’s House Mirissa
The Doctor’s House has a history of nearly 200 years since it functioned as a Dutch and Ayurvedic hospital. It is now converted into a hotel and a restaurant and it is famous for its food, drinks and music. The Doctor’s House is located a mere 15 minutes away from Mirissa town.
Staying and dining at the Doctor’s House has made it into our list of best things to do in Mirissa due to its uniqueness. It has a huge garden where laid-back relaxation is promoted and chilling here is a must-do on your visit to Mirissa.
07. Surfing In Mirissa
Mirissa is one of the surfing hotspots in Sri Lanka and the waves are mostly suited for the intermediate surfer. You can rent out surfboards from any one of the small shops in the area for a little price and catch the waves to your heart’s content. From October to March, the sea offers the best surfing conditions.
However, if you are a beginner surfer and are not yet ready to hit the big waves, Weligama Bay, which is only 5 minutes away from Mirissa would be the best location for you. You can even take surfing lessons there and the baby waves at the Weligama Bay are perfect for the beginner surfing enthusiast.
08. Visit The Snake Farm House
Visiting the Snake Farm run by a Sri Lankan doctor is one of the most interesting things to do in Mirissa that we found. It is not a very popular spot among tourists, but the doctor who runs the farm rescues the snakes and rehabilitates them while allowing guests to see them.
You can watch as the handler bring our many types of snakes, both venomous and non-venomous and you can even hold the non-venomous ones like pythons and tree snakes. The snake farm is only a 20 minutes’ drive away from the town and the entrance fee is Rs. 1000 per person.
09. Visit Mirissa Turtle Beach
Visiting Turtle Beach, also known as the Polhena beach, is one of the best things to do in Mirissa as well as being one of the most unique experiences you will ever get in Sri Lanka, Here, you can get the all-natural experience of swimming with sea turtles, hence the name, who have made this beach their permanent home.
Turtle Beach is located 7 kilometers away from Mirissa town and the beach is protected by a reef so that the water is very calm and shallow. It is not crowded with tourists and you can even hire snorkeling gear and do some snorkeling. There is a turtle hatchery on the side of the beach and you can visit to see baby turtles being released into the sea.
10. Watch The Stilt Fishermen
Stilt fishing is a ceasing fishing method in Sri Lanka but is one of the most picturesque ones. Near the coast of Weligama, you can spot local fishermen sitting on wooden poles in the shallow sea waters and fishing through a line. Small Mackerels and Herrings are their likely catch in the shallow waters.
Although this is said to be a very ancient method of fishing, most of the fishermen do this for commercial purposes nowadays and they charge a small fee from you to photograph them. You can negotiate with them if you find the fee too high and you can even sit on a pole and get the full fishing experience.
11. Visit The Dondra Lighthouse
Point Dondra, also known as Dondra Head, is the southernmost point on the island of Sri Lanka and visiting it is one of the most exciting things to do in Mirissa. It houses the tallest lighthouse in Sri Lanka, also one of the tallest in the South Asian region.
Built in 1887, the lighthouse is 49 meters high and has 7 floors and 196 steps to the top. It is one of the four international lighthouses in Sri Lanka, and due to its unique location, it is a must-take trip when you are in Mirissa.
12. Eating At The Many Restaurants
Sri Lankan southern shoreline is famous for its many seafood restaurants and seaside bars, and the town of Mirissa is no exception. There are many luxury restaurants and small café-like restaurants clustered in the Mirissa town which offer mouth-watering seafood cuisines that include crab, lobster, prawns and squid.
Bars around the Mirissa beach are vast in numbers and most of them offer excellent cocktails and drinks at very low prices. A tip to keep in mind is to catch a happy hour where most of the drinks are free or cheaper than usual.
