Mirissa Beach is a popular tourist destination located in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, known for its beautiful golden sand and vibrant atmosphere. The beach is situated approximately 150 kilometers south of Colombo and is a significant fishing port, famous for tuna, mullet, snapper, and butterfish. It is also renowned as one of the best places for whale and dolphin watching in Sri Lanka, with the whale watching season running from November to April.
Mirissa Beach offers various activities such as swimming, snorkeling, and surfing, with the water being warm and suitable for these activities. The beach is lined with bars and restaurants, providing tourists with a variety of dining options. However, it can be quite crowded during peak seasons, and prices for food and drinks at beachside restaurants are often higher due to the tourist influx.
The beach is also close to other attractions like the famous Secret Beach, which is a picturesque spot with clear blue water and shady trees, though it is not as secluded as its name suggests. Additionally, there are opportunities for turtle spotting at Turtle Point beach and Coconut Tree Hill, where visitors can observe green sea turtles feeding in the shallows.
Mirissa Beach is accessible via the A2 Highway and is approximately 2 kilometers west of Mirissa railway station. The town experiences a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round, but from May to October, the monsoon brings significant rainfall.
The Blue Whales found in Sri Lankan waters are non-migratory and believed to be resident, which means you can see them all year round, providing the sea conditions are not too rough. The Indian Ocean is not a calm ocean at the best of times, and during the peak of Yala, or the southern monsoon from May to July, it is not safe for the boatsThe Blue Whales found in Sri Lankan waters are non-migratory and believed to be resident, which means you can see them all year round, providing the sea conditions are not too rough. The Indian Ocean is not a calm ocean at the best of times, and during the peak of Yala, or the southern monsoon from May to July, it is not safe for the boats
Mirissa is the largest fishing port on the south coast and is known for its tuna, mullet, snapper, and butterfish. In 1980 the first tourist accommodation was built, and in the mid-1990s tourism to the town started to increase dramatically
