9 Best Things to Do in Mirissa, Sri Lanka

Are you looking for the best things to do in Mirissa, Sri Lanka? Mirissa is a paradise for surfers, famous for its pristine beaches, snorkeling spots, vibrant nightlife, and whale-watching tours. It is one of the most popular beach destinations in the country, so don’t miss it on your Sri Lanka Itinerary.

Wondering what to do in Mirissa, Sri Lanka? Visit Coconut Tree Hill, explore the best beaches in Mirissa, take a day trip to Galle Fort, join a whale watching tour, and go surfing.

This ultimate guide to visiting Mirissa includes how to get there, where to stay, and the best things to do in Mirissa, Sri Lanka.

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Where is Mirissa, Sri Lanka?

Mirissa is a small beach town on the south coast of Sri Lanka, located near Matara.

Best Time to Visit Mirissa, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a popular destination all year round! But the best time to visit Mirissa is during the dry season, from December to April. The weather is sunny and dry during these months, perfect for swimming, surfing, and exploring the nearby attractions.

The rainy season runs from May to September.

Mirissa has a tropical rainforest climate with high humidity. The average annual temperature is 28°C all year round. We visited Mirissa in early April and had fantastic weather.

Here are all your hotel options in Mirissa.

How to Get to Mirissa from Colombo

The best way to reach Mirissa is by train. Most people come to Mirissa from Colombo, Ella, or Galle.

Alternatively, you can book a transfer from Ella to Mirissa/Galle/Hikkaduwa (any hotel), which includes the Yala Safari Tour.

By train

From Colombo Fort, you can easily reach Matara by train in just 3 hours. The train tickets start from 5 USD.

Then, after you arrive in Matara, take a local bus or tuk tuk to Mirissa. From Matara to Mirissa, a tuk tuk ride costs around 500-1000 LKR (2-4 USD).

You can easily buy your train tickets online through 12Go or Bookaway.

By tuk tuk

Although there are a few ways to get to Mirissa, you will need a mode of transport on arrival to discover the best attractions.

Therefore, one of the most exciting and best ways to get from Colombo to Mirissa is to rent a tuk tuk and drive there yourself. The journey time by tuk tuk is approximately 5-6 hours. We rented a tuk tuk for 2 weeks in Sri Lanka for only 22 USD/day.

Read the full post → Tuk Tuk Rental in Sri Lanka

Where to Stay in Mirissa

There are many boutique hotels and beach resorts in Mirissa, but accommodation options are available for all budgets. These are our recommendations.

Best hotels in Mirissa, Sri Lanka

Luxury: Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa
Mid-Range: Mandara Resort or Triple O Six
Budget: Sunset Beach Hotel

more hotels in Mirissa

TIP
Alternatively, you can stay in Weligama, only a 20-minute drive away.

Best things to do in Mirissa, Sri Lanka

1. Visit Coconut Tree Hill

One of the best places to visit in Mirissa is Coconut Tree Hill, which offers the best photo spots and epic views in Sri Lanka. Coconut Tree Hills is a private coconut farm that is free to visit. For the best experience, visit at sunset, but to avoid the crowds, arrive at sunrise.

The famous viewpoint is located just a 5-minute tuk tuk ride or 20 minutes walk from Mirissa Beach.

After arriving, we left our tuk tuk near the Mirissa Coconut Hill Beach Resort & Spa. After that, it was just a short walk to the popular Instagram spot. We do not recommend wearing slippers as the path is slippery. Unfortunately, we didn’t see the sunrise due to the weather. But it was still a fantastic experience to enjoy the views.

Are you hungry? Shady Lane is one of the best breakfast spots in Mirissa, just a 5-minute drive from Coconut Tree Hill.

See also → Dalawella Beach Swing & Frog Rock

2. Parrot Rock

Are you looking for free things to do in Mirissa, Sri Lanka? After visiting Coconut Tree Hill, you can easily get to Parrot Rock, just a 10-minute walk away. Parrot Rock is a small rocky island located next to Mirissa Beach, which offers fantastic panoramic views of the famous Coconut Tree Hill and the stunning Mirissa Beach.

As there are many small coral-covered rocks here, and the water around the Parrot Rock is so clear, it makes for an incredible snorkeling spot.

Snorkel with turtles in Mirissa.

A narrow path staircase leads up to the top of the rock with a wooden handrail, which is not too safe, so be careful! We recommend waiting for the low tide to get to the rock safely. It can be dangerous to cross at high tide.

Although it can be crowded at sunset, don’t miss one of the most beautiful sunset spots in Mirissa.

3. Surfing at Mirissa Beach

Are you a surf lover? Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced surfer, Sri Lanka offers the best beaches for enjoying the waves or taking surf lessons.

Weligama and Mirissa Beach are perfect places for surfing in Sri Lanka. A surfboard rental costs 300-500 LKR (1-1.50 USD) per hour.

Although Mirissa is a popular surfing spot, it is also an ideal place to snorkel with turtles.

Good to know
November to April is the best time to surf Sri Lanka’s south coast beaches.

4. Secret Beach Mirissa

Our favorite thing to do in Mirissa is to visit Secret Beach. From Mirissa, you can reach the beach in just 10 minutes by tuk tuk.

If you arrive by tuk tuk driver, you can go directly to Secret Beach, but the road is in poor condition as it is steep and potholed. We left our tuk tuk in a nearby parking lot and paid 200 LKR (0,60 USD). Then, we reached the beach in just 5 minutes.

Although this is still a hidden gem in Mirissa, it is crowded in the afternoon, so we recommend visiting in the morning. Secret Beach is free to visit.

Spend a few relaxing hours here, swimming, relaxing on the sun loungers, and strolling along the beach. Wear water shoes or beware of sea urchins. The Secret Beach Bar offers delicious food and cocktails, although prices are overpriced.

Read our → Sri Lanka Itinerary

5. Go Whale Watching

One of the best things to do in Mirissa is join a whale watching tour. Mirissa is the best place for whale and dolphin watching tours in Sri Lanka. During your boat tour, you can see the blue whale, the largest animal in the world.

The best time for whale watching in Mirissa is from November to April. But spotting whales is not 100% guaranteed.

Many tour operators offer whale watching tours in Mirissa. But we recommend booking your whale watching tour online.

Book an all-inclusive Mirissa morning whale watching boat tour.

Whale-watching tours usually start from 68 USD and include hotel pick-up, breakfast, coffee or tea, bottled water, a lifejacket, and sea sickness pills.

The tour usually starts around 6 AM and takes about 4.5 hours. The professional crew will ensure you are always at a respectful distance from the whales. So, bring a zoom lens to take even better photos.

6. Take a Day Trip to Galle

The Galle Fort is a fortress complex built by the Portuguese in 1588 and nowadays is one of the most visited places in Sri Lanka.

The distance between Mirissa and Galle is only 35 km, and the travel time is approximately 50 minutes. You can get to Galle by local bus or tuk tuk. There are plenty of parking spaces in Galle Fort. If you arrive by tuk tuk, parking is free.

The old town of Galle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the perfect place to see the beautiful Dutch, Portuguese, and British-style buildings. Spend at least 2-3 hours at the Galle and explore the charming streets, buy souvenirs at the handicraft shops, visit the Galle Fort Lighthouse, and walk along the Galle Fort Wall.

Join a Galle Fort bike tour.

7. Visit Unawatuna

One of the best things to do in Mirissa Sri Lanka, is to take a day trip to Galle Fort. But since Unawatuna is only 20 minutes from Galle, don’t miss a visit. Sri Lanka has many beautiful beaches, but in our opinion, the most beautiful beach is Dalawella Beach in Unawatuna.

Wijaya Rock, also known as Frog Rock, is another iconic attraction in Sri Lanka. You can easily reach the famous Frog Rock with a 10-minute coastal walk from Dalawella Beach.

If you want to climb Frog Rock, be careful, as the rock is slippery! It is not recommended for those who are afraid of heights.

Keep reading → Unawatuna Guide

8. Take a Jeep Safari Tour

Are you looking for more top things to do in Mirissa, Sri Lanka? Sri Lanka has many stunning national parks that are perfect for spotting diverse wildlife.

You can easily join safari tours from Mirissa to Yala or Udawalawe National Park. For the best experience, you can book a combined tour that visits both national parks.

The tour price includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, transport by air-conditioned vehicle, professional driver/guide, and a jeep safari tour at the national park.

Alternatively, book your Yala safari tour HERE.

Good to know
Yala National Park is one of the best places to see elephants and leopards in Sri Lanka.

Recommended post → Guide to Yala National Park

9. Weligama Beach

Weligama Beach is a popular place in Sri Lanka located just a 15-minute tuk tuk ride from Mirissa. It was formerly a small fishing village and has become a bustling seaside town. Weligama Bay and the beach are perfect places for beginner surfers to catch their first waves or learn to surf.

Book a surf lesson.

The best time to visit Weligama Beach is between October and April, when the sea is not too rough, and the weather is perfect for water activities. You can buy a cold coconut, go surfing, or spend a few relaxing hours on the more than 2 km long sandy beach.

Is Mirissa Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! Mirissa is the perfect base for exploring tropical beaches, going whale watching tours, surfing, and visiting some of the best national parks in Sri Lanka.

Is it Safe to Travel to Mirissa, Sri Lanka?

Yes, it is generally safe. But small thefts and pickpockets can happen everywhere. So always take care of your valuables!

You can swim and surf safely in Mirissa but don’t underestimate the waves and be careful. Beware of rip currents!

Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.

How to Get Around Mirissa

Wondering how to visit Mirissa, Sri Lanka? It’s easy to get around Mirissa.

The best way to get around Mirisa is to rent a scooter or tuk tuk driver or join organized tours that include transport.

We arrived from Unawatuna to Mirissa by tuk tuk and easily explored the attractions in the area.

Where to Eat in Mirissa

In Mirissa, you can find many local restaurants, vegetarian options, national foods, and the best places to eat with all budgets. These are our recommendations.

Best restaurants in Mirissa, Sri Lanka

O Mirissa Cafe and Bistro (Delicious pizza and burger)
Petti Petti Mirissa (Tasty food with beautiful ocean views)
Ambrosia Roti Shop (Delicious Sri Lankan dishes)
The Slow (Vegan restaurant)
Ceylon Curry House (Best rice and curry in Mirissa)
Milky Wave (Italian food and delicious gelato)
Aloha Coffee Gallery (Good place for breakfast)
Dewmini Roti Shop (Our favorite place to eat in Mirissa)
Mirissa Inn Restaurant (Delicious seafood dishes)
Shady Lane Mirissa (Healthy food, best smoothie bowls)

How many Days do you Need in Mirissa, Sri Lanka?

We recommend you spend at least 2-3 days and enjoy the best things to do in Mirissa, Sri Lanka.

We hope our list of the best things to do in Mirissa will help you plan your next trip to Sri Lanka. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.

Travel Resources

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway

9 Best Things to Do in Mirissa, Sri Lanka