10 Awesome Things to Do in Mirissa, Sri Lanka

Mirissa ended up being my favorite beach town in Sri Lanka. With so many activities and things to do, it became one of the most popular destinations in Sri Lanka. Mirissa provides incredible white sand beaches lined with palm trees, good weather and vibrant nightlife.

I spent here over a week, exploring surroundings, relaxing on the Mirissa beach and enjoying fresh coconuts in the afternoon breezes. Here is a list of 10 awesome things to do in Mirissa, Sri Lanka.

1. Explore graffiti around the city

Through the initiative of local artists as well as visitors, Mirissa is becoming more and more colorful. There are plenty of beautiful graffiti wall murals in the city, which bring so much joy! Mirissa was terribly affected by the tsunami cause by the Indian Ocean earthquake in 2014. I believe that in the future the city will be recognizable as the most colorful in Sri Lanka.

2. Dolphin and whale watching

Mirissa is known for being one of the best places in the world for dolphin and whale watching. The Dodra point is a place where you can see different types of dolphins and whales in their natural habitat. There is a big chance to see them at one day trip, as the area is a migrating path for blue, bryde sperm and fin whales. It is said that the best time to spot whales in Mirissa is between December and April.

3. Roam along the coast

Walk along the coast and explore surrounding areas! Start from Coral beach then along the Mirissa beach, Parrot Rock, Bandaramulla beach to Coconut Tree Hill. At the end, you can watch incredible sunset at the last destination.

4. Watch sunrise from the Parott Rock

Parrot Rock, called Giragala by locals, is my favorite point for sunrise watching in Mirissa. When walking to the Bandamulla beach, you will spot a quite big rocky formation. You need to cross a stream of water and climb to the top. Then just find your perfect spot and wait for the sun to appear on the horizon.

5. Explore river by boat

One of the beaten track attractions in Mirissa is definitely a cruise through Polwatta River. It is a perfect trip for bird watching, but also you can spot mugger crocodiles, purple faced leaf monkeys and big monitor lizards.

6. Watch sunset at the top of Coconut Tree Hill

Coconut Tree Hill is probably the most popular place in Mirissa. Many visitors come here to watch the sunset and take a famous picture with palms. I don’t like crowded places, but this view point stole my heart. The sound of palm trees blowing in the wind and gold orange sky just make you speechless.

7. Visit Secret Beach

Set among lush greenery and rock formations, Secret Beach is one of my favorite discoveries in Sri Lanka. It is located relatively close to the main beach in Mirissa. As the name suggests, Secret Beach is quite hard to reach, but you can ask locals on the way and you should be fine! You can also take a tuk-tuk which will take you directly to the spot, but I recommend to have a pleasant walk through rural villages and see how people live outside of the tourist zone.

8. Visit lighthouse and stunning swimming pool

To add a little bit of luxury to your holiday, visit Weligambay Villas for the perfect view of the ocean. The lighthouse is located just after the Secret Beach.

9. Surfing and boogy boarding

A well-known surfing spot in Mirissa is located in the district of Matara, relatively close to Weligama. This suft break provides perfect waves for beginners from October to April.

10. Take a day trip to Galle

This charming and well preserved Dutch colonial town was built by the Portuguese is the 16th century. Today, Galle blends perfectly cultures, architecture, religious and cuisines. It is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site for presenting the magnificent European architecture and South Asian traditions. You can easily catch a bus going to Colombo on the main road in Mirissa or arrange a day tour in the city.

READ MORE: Trip to Sri Lanka – Plan Your Perfect Holiday

Like it? Pin it!

Share this post: on Twitter on Facebook on Google+