Mirissa Sri Lanka Holidays
Mirissa
Holidays
Sri Lanka's finest beach and the best whale watching in Asia — blue whales, sperm whales and a beautiful crescent bay
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Flight Time
10–11h from London, then 3h drive from Colombo
Best Time
November to April (dry season; whale watching season)
Country
Sri Lanka
Suppliers
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Mirissa Holiday Guide
Mirissa is the finest beach destination in Sri Lanka — a beautiful crescent bay with the best whale watching in Asia. Blue whales are regularly seen between November and April, with sighting rates of 80–90%.
The beach is beautiful, the beach bar scene is lively and Coconut Tree Hill is the most photographed viewpoint in Sri Lanka. Galle (30 minutes away) is the finest colonial town in Asia.
The best time to visit is November to April. We search across Travelpack, Emirates Holidays and JTA Holidays for the best deals.
Popular Areas in Mirissa
Average Temperatures
Jan
29°C
Feb
30°C
Mar
31°C
Apr
31°C
May
30°C
Jun
28°C
Jul
27°C
Aug
27°C
Sep
27°C
Oct
27°C
Nov
27°C
Dec
28°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Mirissa
The blue whales, beautiful beach and lively atmosphere that make Mirissa the most exciting beach destination in Sri Lanka.
Blue Whale Watching
Mirissa is the best place in Asia to see blue whales — the largest animals on earth. Blue whales are regularly seen in the waters off Mirissa between November and April, with sighting rates of 80–90% on most trips. Sperm whales, dolphins and occasionally whale sharks are also seen. The whale watching boats depart at 6am and return by midday.
Mirissa Beach
Mirissa beach is the finest in Sri Lanka — a beautiful crescent bay with calm, clear water at the eastern end (ideal for swimming) and good surf at the western end. The beach is lined with beach bars, restaurants and guesthouses. Parrot Rock, a small rocky island at the western end of the beach, is accessible at low tide and has extraordinary views.
Coconut Tree Hill
Coconut Tree Hill is the most photographed viewpoint in Sri Lanka — a small hill covered in coconut palms overlooking Mirissa beach, with extraordinary views of the bay and the Indian Ocean. The hill is particularly beautiful at sunrise and sunset. It is a 10-minute walk from the beach.
Beach Bar Scene
Mirissa has the most vibrant beach bar scene in Sri Lanka — a string of beach bars and restaurants along the beach, serving cold Lion beer, fresh coconut cocktails, grilled seafood and excellent Sri Lankan food. The atmosphere is relaxed and international, attracting backpackers, surfers and beach holiday visitors.
Surfing
Mirissa has good surf from October to April — the western end of the beach has consistent waves suitable for beginners and intermediate surfers. Surf schools and board hire are available on the beach. The surf is not as powerful as Arugam Bay (on the east coast) but is excellent for those who want to combine surfing with beach relaxation.
Boat Trips
Boat trips from Mirissa to the offshore reefs and islands are excellent — snorkelling trips, dolphin watching and sunset cruises are all available. The snorkelling at the offshore reefs is good, with turtles, rays and reef fish regularly encountered.
Parrot Rock
Parrot Rock is a small rocky island at the western end of Mirissa beach, accessible at low tide by wading through shallow water. The rock has extraordinary views of the beach and the Indian Ocean. It is the most popular viewpoint in Mirissa and is particularly beautiful at sunset.
Seafood Restaurants
Mirissa has excellent seafood restaurants — fresh fish, lobster, crab and prawns caught that morning by the local fishing boats. The beach restaurants are informal and affordable. The Sri Lankan seafood curry, grilled fish and kottu roti are all excellent.
Explore Mirissa on the Map
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
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