Highlights
- Mirissa has good waves for surfing in season
- A curved beach lined with small restaurants
Overview
Mirissa, on the south coast between Weligama and Matara, has a curved sandy beach backed by palms, restaurants and guesthouses. It is one of the most popular beaches in southern Sri Lanka, known for its relaxed atmosphere and as the main base for whale watching.
What you see and do
- Parrot Rock: a small rock island at one end, reached by wading at low tide, with views along the beach.
- Coconut Tree Hill: a palm-covered headland at the eastern end, popular at sunrise and sunset.
- Secret Beach: a small cove to the west, reached by a short walk or tuk-tuk.
- Swimming and surfing: calm water in parts of the bay in season, with a surf break at one end.
In the evening, restaurants set tables on the sand and display fresh seafood.
When to go
November to April is the dry season, with calmer sea. From May to October, the south-west monsoon brings rough seas, and many beach places close.
How long it takes
Most visitors stay two or three nights.
Getting there
Mirissa is about 45 minutes by road from Galle, and around 2 to 2.5 hours from Colombo on the expressway. Trains stop at Weligama and Mirissa.
Practical tips
- Swim near others and avoid rough areas; currents can be strong.
- Book whale-watching with operators who follow responsible guidelines.
- Dress modestly away from the beach.
Try whale watching or snorkelling. See things to do in Mirissa and Mirissa hotels.
Related posts
Pitawala Pathana
Pitawala Pathana is a grassland on a gently sloping slab of rock in the Knuckles range, near Riverstone. A short walk leads to a cliff edge known as Mini World's End, with views over the lowlands.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Full Day Tour of Delft Island
Spend a day on Delft, the largest island off Jaffna, reached by ferry from Kurikadduwan. See the wild ponies, coral-stone walls, Dutch fort ruins, the old baobab tree and the growing stone.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Kandy / Nuwara Eliya - Ella Train Excursions
The hill country railway to Nanu Oya, Ella and Badulla is one of the most scenic train rides in Asia. As of October 2026, trains run between Nanu Oya, Ella and Badulla, but not between Kandy and Nanu Oya.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Lankatilaka Temple
Lankatilaka Raja Maha Viharaya stands on a rock outcrop west of Kandy, built in 1344 under King Bhuvanekabahu IV. Its tall image house and valley views make it one of the finest temples near the city.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Bird watching in Bundala National Park
Bundala National Park, Sri Lanka's first Ramsar wetland, is a maze of shallow lagoons, salt pans and dunes on the south coast. From about September to March, flamingos and thousands of migrant birds arrive.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Mihintale
Mihintale, about 12 km east of Anuradhapura, is where Buddhism is said to have come to Sri Lanka. Steps lead up to stupas, caves and a rock summit with wide views.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Yala National Park Safari
Yala National Park in the south-east is Sri Lanka's most visited park and one of the best places in Asia to see leopards. Elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles and many birds live among its scrub and lagoons.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Kanneliya Rainforest
Kanneliya is a lowland rainforest about 35 km inland from Galle, part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Trails lead to streams and waterfalls with endemic birds and plants.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Panama Lagoon Safari
Explore the lagoons and wetlands around Panama village, south of Arugam Bay. They are rich in birds, and elephants sometimes come to the water in the evening.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Bentota Beach
Bentota, about 1.5 to 2 hours from Colombo, has one of the best known resort beaches in Sri Lanka. The long beach meets the Bentota river, and the sea is calm from about November to April.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Medaketiya and Medilla beach
Medaketiya and Medilla are the long, wide beaches east of Tangalle town. They are good for walks, with guesthouses behind the sand.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Victoria Golf & Country Resort
Victoria Golf and Country Resort, at Digana about 30 to 40 minutes east of Kandy, has an 18-hole course on rolling hills above the Victoria reservoir.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Colombo City Tour
See the best of Colombo in a day, from colonial Fort and the markets of Pettah to temples, parks, Galle Face Green and the new towers by the sea.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Golden Cave Temple of Dambulla
The Dambulla cave temple is the largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Five caves hold more than 150 Buddha statues and painted ceilings.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Unawatuna Beach Swing
The rope swings tied to leaning palms near Unawatuna became famous online and are now a popular photo stop. Go early or late to avoid the queues.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Adam’s Peak
Adam's Peak, or Sri Pada, is a steep peak of 2,243 metres sacred to Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Pilgrims climb about 5,000 steps by night from December to May to reach the summit for sunrise.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Minneriya National Park Safari
Watch the gathering at Minneriya, when large herds of wild elephants graze around an ancient tank in the dry season, usually from about July to October. Afternoon jeep safaris leave from Habarana and Sigiriya.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Habaraduwa Turtle Hatchery
The Habaraduwa turtle hatchery, between Galle and Koggala, was set up in 1986. Learn about the sea turtles that nest on the coast and see hatchlings before release.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Stilt Fishermen of the South
Stilt fishing is a traditional way of fishing on the south coast, with fishermen perched on poles set in the shallows. Today many pose for photographs between Koggala and Weligama and expect a tip.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Udawalawe National Park Safari
Udawalawe National Park, around a large reservoir on the edge of the hills, is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to see wild elephants. Jeep safaris also find buffalo, crocodiles and many birds of prey.
Image Credit: ShutterStock