Mirissa, a lovely beach town in the heart of Sri Lanka’s south coast, is not to be missed. It is a popular destination in southern Sri Lanka due to its beautiful beaches, spectacular sunset views, and numerous tasty eateries. There are numerous exciting activities available in Mirissa. Most tourists visit Mirissa for a few days, but some linger for weeks or even months. They still crave more time. This blog post discusses seven things to do in Mirissa, Sri Lanka. We have compiled a list of our favorite activities and secret beaches for you to explore.
Table of Contents
- Reaching Mirissa
- Travel via private taxi
- Things to do in Mirissa: A Hill of Coconut Trees
- The Secret Beach
- Surfing at Weligama
- The Beach at Mirissa
- Residence of the Physician
- Examine the murals.
- Some other popular activities in Mirissa
- Ideal Time to Visit Mirissa
- Where To Eat in Mirissa
- Accommodation options in Mirissa
Mirissa, a lovely beach town in the heart of Sri Lanka’s south coast, is not to be missed. It is a popular destination in southern Sri Lanka due to its beautiful beaches, spectacular sunset views, and numerous tasty eateries. There are numerous exciting activities available in Mirissa. Most tourists visit Mirissa for a few days, but some linger for weeks or even months. They still crave more time. This blog post discusses seven things to do in Mirissa, Sri Lanka. We have compiled a list of our favorite activities and secret beaches for you to explore.
Reaching Mirissa
If you take a public bus from Colombo to Mirissa, the journey takes roughly three hours. The journey from the international airport in Colombo may take about 5 hours, with a break at the Colombo central bus stand. If you are on a budget, this is an excellent way to travel. The bus route along the coast is gorgeous, and there are numerous departures from Colombo’s major bus station.
Travel via private taxi
If you prefer greater luxury and want to reduce your travel time to two hours, a private taxi is the ideal option for you. Taxis are the most common means of transportation for tourists in Sri Lanka. It saves you a lot of time and provides a comfortable, private ride in an air-conditioned vehicle.
Things to do in Mirissa: A Hill of Coconut Trees
Cocnut Tree Hill, as depicted on Instagram, is a fantastic location for most tourists. Coconut Tree Hill is located a few kilometers south of Mirissa’s major beach. Tourists usually spend 200 LKR ($1.15 USD) for a tuk tuk to get there and watch the sunset. In this really odd landscape, there are hundreds of palm trees growing out of the red mud. It’s stunningly lovely, unlike anything most tourists see elsewhere.
There aren’t many better places to relax while watching the sun set behind the trees. Not only is Coconut Tree Hill a great place to see turtles, but you can also watch surfers on the waves below from its summit. Coconut Tree Hill is a must-see destination in Mirissa!
Coconut Tree Hill is located at Mirissa’s easternmost point. You can take a tuk tuk to Sunset Bar or walk the entire length of the beach. To get to the hill, you must first go through Sunset Bar and up the hillside.
The landscape on Coconut Tree Hill, Mirissa, is unparalleled. A grove of palm trees that rise from the red earth and overlook the ocean surrounds a small peninsula. Because of its unique beauty, it has gained popularity on Instagram and is now considered one of Sri Lanka’s south coast must-see destinations. The locals appear to refer to it by several names, including Mirissa’s Palm Trees, Coconut Hill Mirissa, and Palm Tree Grove Mirissa. Whatever you call it, you must see the beautiful palm trees and earthy red hills.
How to Get to Coconut Tree Hill, Mirissa
The Google Maps marker denoting Coconut Tree Hill is placed at Mirissa’s southeast point. You have two alternatives for getting there: walk from the town center, which takes 15 to 20 minutes, or take a tuk tuk from town, which takes only a few minutes and costs around 200 LKR ($1.15).
There are two choices for walking: along Matara Road and then down Coconut Tree Hill Road, or down Mirissa Beach, past Parrot Rock and around the next two bays until you reach the hill. To get to the hill, you must first pass through Sunset Bar and then ascend the dirt trail on the hillside. The path is steep and slick, so go with caution since it can be hazardous, especially after rain.
Tip: If you want to have this place to yourself, arrive early in the morning. We returned early the next morning to get some more unobstructed views, as it was really packed at twilight.
The Secret Beach
To be honest, Secret Beach is no longer so secret—it is one of Sri Lanka’s best beaches. The beach is divided into two sections that meet at a rocky point. The first beach you come to in Mirissa is one of the best for snorkeling and swimming. There are many turtles cruising around this part of the sea, so keep an eye out for them.
The second beach is around the corner and has a waist-deep lagoon that is great for floating on. Because of the rocky outcrop shielding it, the lagoon remains calm even when the surrounding sea becomes harsher.
To reach Secret Beach, you must drive up this extraordinarily steep and tight route. When the terrain becomes too rocky, the tuk-tuk driver will let you off, leaving you to trek the last few hundred meters to the shore. This tiny beach is stunning, hidden away in a secluded area of the coast. We cooled off in the peaceful waters generated by the outer rocks and spent a few hours relaxing on the beach. A tuk tuk should arrive in less than ten minutes and cost 400 LKR ($2.30). Although it is a tough journey in the heat, strolling from Mirissa’s town center is an alternative.
Mirissa Beach, the area’s main beach, is only a short walk away from this wonderful beach, but it is less crowded because many people prefer the easy beach right outside their door. The main beach in Mirissa is generally rather crowded, while Secret Beach Mirissa is quite empty. It’s strange that such a beautiful beach can be so peaceful. It is isolated, palm-tree-lined, and extremely quiet. Is there anything else a beachgoer should look for?
How to Get to Secret Beach, Mirissa
Secret Beach is only a short drive from Mirissa’s town center, but the approach there is interesting. We recommend taking a tuk tuk from the town center, which will cost around 400 LKR ($2.26 USD). The terrain is tight, winding, and hilly, making the trip interesting. Because the road is so bad, you will have to get out of the tuk-tuk and walk the remaining 200 meters.
Surfing at Weligama
Weligama is the most popular surfing destination among tourists. It is ideal for first-time surfers because it is a sandy beach break. Travelers can hire boards for an hour for 250 LKR ($1.40 USD) and travel out to sea. The surfers are overjoyed with the amazing waves in Weligama. A great number of surf schools have been erected directly on the beach, and visitors can hire an expert for a modest cost.
Travelers can spend hours surfing here and then relax at one of the many bars that line the beach while watching the other surfers have fun. Although Weligama is a great location for novices and it’s always fun to try something new, Mirissa Beach is a nice area to surf. Before you travel, check out the Weligama surf forecast!
The Beach at Mirissa
Even though the main section of Mirissa Beach is extremely crowded, it remains a nice place to hang out. When you get to the beach, turn right and head to the western end. It boasts a great surf break and is normally rather peaceful. An afternoon spent lying in the sun and watching the surfers is strongly recommended.
Residence of the Physician
The Doctor’s House, in the neighboring village of Madiha, has a fantastic beachfront setting. The Doctor’s House is the place to go for the best beach vibes in the neighborhood. They claim to have the coldest beer in Sri Lanka and serve wood-fired pizza with their beverages. The big garden, which opens immediately onto the beach, is an ideal place to relax in the day. Mirissa is fifteen minutes distant, so you’ll need to take a tuk tuk to get here.
Examine the murals.
Travelers can enjoy stunning street art along Mirissa’s Beachside Road. Many restaurants and hostels in this region have vivid murals and wall art on their exterior walls. It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore the area and view more bright murals, and the hand-painted art is really worth looking for.
Some other popular activities in Mirissa
Whale-watching is among the region’s most popular activities. The best months to see blue whales are March and April during the whale-watching season, which lasts from November to April. The best time to go is in the morning, when the seas are rougher owing to the afternoon winds. Look for a Mirissa whale-watching tour.
If you happen to be passing through Galle on your way to Mirissa, a day trip to Galle Fort is a good alternative. Traveling west from Mirissa takes less than an hour.
Ideal Time to Visit Mirissa
December to March is the best time of year to visit Mirissa and the south coast of Sri Lanka in general. The predominant monsoon season in this region lasts from late April to September. Though the weather might be unpredictable, this is usually a good guide for when to travel.
Where To Eat in Mirissa
Shady Lane in Mirissa. A very cool shop with amazing smoothie bowls is located down a side street. A smoothie bowl costs 675 LKR ($3.90 USD) and is worth the extra money.
R&R Hot Spot: reasonably priced, great curry and rice. For two people, it just costs 600 LKR ($3.45 USD) for some simple roti and water.
After a day of surfing at Weligama, head to Dulnetha Homestay and Restaurant. Here, visitors may eat some of the best kottus, or Sri Lankan fried rice. Perfect after-surf snack, and reasonably priced.
Sunset Bar is located at the base of Coconut Tree Hill. As the name says, this is an excellent site to enjoy a beer while watching the sun set. Although it is not a restaurant, we couldn’t leave it off the list.
Accommodation options in Mirissa
Travelers can discover dozens of lodgings in Mirissa at a variety of price points. Whatever your budget, every traveler can find a suitable location to stay. Accommodation options range from low-cost hostels to high-end boutique hotels.