The small coastal town of Mirissa is a popular base for exploring the south coast of Sri Lanka. It exudes a cozy atmosphere with plenty of charming restaurants and beautiful beaches. Additionally, its central location in the south makes it easy to take a day trip to another coastal town. In this article featuring 12 tips for Mirissa, you’ll discover unique activities, the coolest hotspots, and the most stunning beaches. So, rest assured you won’t miss a thing and make the most of your visit to Mirissa!
What to do in Mirissa?
Whether you love lazy days on the beach or prefer to be active, there’s plenty of fun to be had in and around Mirissa to keep you entertained.
Chill and bodyboard at Mirissa Beach
As the name suggests, Mirissa Beach is the main beach of Mirissa. It’s a broad stretch of sand where you have ample space for swimming, surfing, and bodyboarding. You’ll always find someone on the beach renting out bodyboards and surfboards. So, grab a board and hit the waves! If you’re more inclined to laze around, there are plenty of cool beach bars to enjoy. Both Oh la la Beachbar and Restaurant and Salt Mirissa are great beach hangouts on Mirissa Beach.
Tip: Prefer swimming in a large pool instead of the sea? Find a cozy spot at Paradise Beach Club to spend the day.
Climb Parrot Rock
When you’re at Mirissa Beach looking out to the sea, you’ll notice a beautiful rock formation on the left side; Parrot Rock. From a distance, you might not expect much, but this rock holds a beautiful natural spot. During low tide, you can walk from the beach to Parrot Rock. Climb up via an improvised staircase and enjoy the magnificent view. Especially during sunset, this is a breathtaking spot!
Indulge in fresh seafood on Mirissa Beach
In coastal towns like Mirissa, you can relish delicious fresh seafood. All the beachfront restaurants display their catch of the day, and you can choose your fish, which the chef will then prepare for you. Salt Mirissa is one of the nicest beach bars where you can enjoy a fish meal with your feet in the sand. And as the sun sets, the candles and lights come on.
Brave the cold in an ice bath
If you really, and I mean really, want to cool off, pay a visit to Ice in Weligama, the neighboring village of Mirissa. Here, you can push your limits by braving an ice bath. It might sound simple for those who have never done it, but mastering your body in the icy cold can be quite a challenge. The key, as they reveal at Ice, lies in your breathing. That’s why they also offer breathwork workshops. After this workshop, you’ll know exactly how to tackle the cold and be guided to stay in the ice bath for a few minutes. The feeling is indescribable when you step out of the ice bath and warm yourself up again.
Find the fun at The Doctor’s House
One of the most well-known nightlife spots along the south coast of Sri Lanka is The Doctor’s House in Matara, located a 10-minute drive from Mirissa. This location was a Dutch Ayurvedic hospital 200 years ago, and some remnants of old walls still remain. Over time, a few bars and cozy terraces have emerged here, making The Doctor’s House a popular spot for drinks and dancing. During the day, you can enjoy good food, relax, and have drinks. Wednesday and Saturday evenings are dedicated to nightlife. You can enter for free until 6:00 PM, and after that, you pay a small fee for entry.
Tip: Occasionally, there’s a cool market held here with lots of stalls from local businesses selling clothing, jewelry, and other beautiful items. Check out The Doctor’s House’s Instagram for the current schedule.
Whale Watching from Mirissa
Whale watching is one of the most well-known activities to do in Mirissa. It’s an incredible experience, but I’d like to paint a realistic picture. It’s not as if there are schools of whales living off the coast of Sri Lanka. So, you can imagine that many boats rush to get close when they finally spot a whale, making such whale watching tours somewhat conflicting. There are many different organizations offering whale watching tours, and unfortunately, many of them don’t consider the welfare of the animals and tend to chase them with their boats.
If you want to go on a whale watching tour, we recommend doing so only with the Whale Watching Club. This is a professional organization that goes out to sea with respect and always maintains a safe distance from the whales. Additionally, they only allow a limited number of people on the boat, and breakfast, coffee, and snacks are included in the tour. They even pass around motion sickness pills and bags, just in case you start feeling seasick. The friendly crew shares information about the whales during the tour and ensures a pleasant atmosphere on the boat.
Good to know: Whale Watching Club offers tours between July and May. The best time to spot whales in Mirissa is from November to April.
Relax at Secret Beach
Secret Beach isn’t really a secret anymore, as many people have discovered this hidden gem by now. However, this stunning, small bay is still one of the most beautiful beaches in Mirissa. It boasts crystal-clear waters and is surrounded by palm trees and rocks. In the morning, it’s often quieter, but it starts to get busy in the afternoon. Especially during sunset, as Secret Beach is a popular spot to watch the sun sink below the horizon. During the high season, there’s a fun beach bar open, with music playing and a lively atmosphere.
Get the Perfect Shot at Coconut Tree Hill
Coconut Tree Hill is the Instagram hotspot in Mirissa. This hill is covered with palm trees, creating a delightful tropical scene against the backdrop of the blue sea! You can find Coconut Tree Hill about 1.5 kilometers from the center of Mirissa. Here is the exact location.
Good to know: Unfortunately, some palm trees have become bare by now, so this spot isn’t as ‘perfect’ as it once was. Nevertheless, it’s still a beautiful location to visit for a photo.
Snorkeling with Turtles in Mirissa
The waters around Coconut Tree Hill are also great for exploration. Rent a snorkel set from the SunSet Bar (at the bottom of the hill). From here, you can walk straight into the sea, and if you’re lucky, you’ll spot one of the turtles that regularly swim around here! How cool is it to swim alongside these fantastic creatures and enjoy the tranquility of the underwater world? Always remember to maintain a safe distance from the turtles and never touch them.
Tip: If you want more assistance in spotting turtles, you can always book a snorkeling tour. You’ll be guided by a local who knows exactly where the turtles usually hang out.
Surfing in the neighboring village of Weligama
Mirissa has some surf spots, but they’re often more suitable for advanced surfers. For perfect waves for beginner surfers, head to the neighboring village of Weligama. You’ll find many stalls on the beach renting out surfboards, and this is the perfect place to take lessons from one of the many surf schools. Feeling hungry after surfing? The delicious bowls at Nomads Cafe & Boutique will surely hit the spot! Craving ice cream? Look for the Cruising Smoothly cart along the beach for a delicious-looking and tasty ice cream treat.
Take a Trip to Galle
Galle is a remarkable destination on the south coast of Sri Lanka. Here, you’ll find a large fort on the coast dating back to the time when Sri Lanka was a Dutch colony. The old buildings within the fort have been well-preserved and now blend with modern elements.
If you have the time, I recommend staying overnight in Galle. This way, you’ll have a bit more time to enjoy a nice meal in the evening and take a beautiful walk early in the morning. If it doesn’t fit into your schedule, you can also make it a day trip by bus or tuk-tuk. It’s about an hour’s drive from Mirissa to Galle. Check out our tips for Galle to learn how to get there, what to do, and where to eat.
Visiting Unawatuna: To Do or Not To Do?
There’s a lot of enthusiasm online about the coastal village of Unawatuna. Before COVID, it was a quiet and pleasant village, but nowadays, it’s not quite the same. It has become a hugely popular destination among Russian tourists, making it feel less like a Sri Lankan beach destination. Even the menus are mostly in Russian. Despite Unawatuna having a nice street with shops and restaurants, I didn’t feel entirely comfortable there, and I heard the same from many other travelers.
If you drive from Mirissa to Galle, you’ll pass by Unawatuna. You can make a short stop there because Unawatuna does have a few nice spots. For example, it’s nice to grab a bite at The Hideout and visit Dalawella Beach. This beach has a couple of beautiful photo spots, like Frog Rock and Palm Rope Swing.
Tip: Ahangama is situated exactly between Mirissa and Unawatuna, and it’s a super charming village that’s still in the early stages of tourism. In our opinion, Ahangama is definitely worth staying a few days. It’s quieter than Mirissa and has a very relaxed atmosphere. Read all our tips for Ahangama.
Tips for Great Restaurants in Mirissa
Salt Mirissa – For delicious fresh seafood right on the beach, Salt Mirissa is the place to be.
Mila Mirissa – A lovely spot on the main street of Mirissa where they serve delicious poké bowls among other things.
Dhana’s Curry Pot – Here, you can enjoy a delightful buffet with unlimited servings of Sri Lankan curries.
Curry Gedara Mirissa – Similar to Dhana’s Curry Pot, this restaurant also offers a buffet with traditional Sri Lankan curries.
Squeeze me – A vegan-friendly café with an all-day breakfast menu.
South Coast – This is a small restaurant where you can enjoy delicious Mexican food. The tacos are super tasty!
Koral Kafe – For a good cup of coffee in the morning with a healthy breakfast.
Shady Lane – This is a trendy spot with incredibly delicious food (the pancakes are fantastic). It’s open for breakfast & lunch.
No. 1 Dewmini Roti Shop – This is the place to go for delicious roti.
Swell Cafe – Cozy spot with a cool interior where you can enjoy tasty dishes all day long. Order a smoothie bowl, avocado toast, pasta, or pizza.
Wood Space Cafe – Cute spot with tasty healthy dishes. It’s open from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Our Favorite Spots in Mirissa
Since you’re likely visiting Mirissa towards the end of your trip through Sri Lanka, staying in a hotel with a pool can be a great way to relax and enjoy. The Secret Guesthouse is a place where everything comes together perfectly. The location is super central in Mirissa yet wonderfully quiet. There’s a lush garden with a lovely pool and comfortable seating areas. The spacious rooms feature air conditioning, cozy beds, a fridge, and reliable Wi-Fi. Tip: The nearby Secret Root Spa is part of this guesthouse, offering superb massages!
If you have a slightly bigger budget, D Canal House is a fantastic choice. This charming boutique B&B exudes coziness and warmth. The accommodation is surrounded by a beautiful garden full of tropical plants, allowing you to enjoy a magnificent view from your room and the pool. Prefer staying in a lively hostel? Then JJ’s Hostel Mirissa is the top pick. The hostel organizes many activities, making it easy to connect with other travelers. Of course, there’s also a lovely pool here, and every morning (during the high season), you can join a yoga class followed by a delicious breakfast.
 The Secret Guesthouse |
 D Canal House |
 JJ’s Hostel Mirissa |
