By air
Bandaranaike (CMB), ~3 h by expressway
Indian Ocean Islands · Sri Lanka
Mirissa, Sri Lanka
Blue whales and palm-lined bays
Getting there
Best time to visit
November to April — the whale season
Don't miss
Mirissa Beach
Coconut Tree Hill
Parrot Rock
Weligama Bay
Things to do
Blue-whale watching
Surfing
Coconut Tree Hill at sunset
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Ji-Elle · CC BY-SA 3.0
What to pack
Swimwear, seasickness tablets for the whale trips
A quieter corner
Secret Beach, around the headland
Questions travellers ask
When is whale season in Mirissa?
November to April. Take seasickness tablets for the whale trips, and pack swimwear.
Besides whales, what is there to do in Mirissa?
Surfing, and Coconut Tree Hill at sunset. Mirissa Beach, Parrot Rock and Weligama Bay fill the rest of your days.
Is there a hidden beach near Mirissa?
Secret Beach, around the headland. For food, look for beach barbecues of the day's catch.
How long does it take to reach Mirissa from the airport?
About 3 hours by expressway from Bandaranaike (CMB).
About Mirissa
- Coastal
Where it is
Mirissa is a small beach town on the southern coast of Sri Lanka in Matara District, Southern Province, about 150 km south of Colombo, where a crescent of sand curves between Parrot Rock and the headland of Coconut Tree Hill.
History
Mirissa was for generations a fishing village with a busy harbour, and the 2004 tsunami caused heavy damage along its shore. Today it is one of the main bases for whale and dolphin watching in Sri Lanka.
People
Mirissa's people speak Sinhala, and fishing from the harbour remains a way of life alongside tourism, with many fishing families now also running guesthouses and whale-watching boats. Fresh seafood curries and rice are the everyday fare.
Known for
- Whale watching for blue whales
- Coconut Tree Hill
- Parrot Rock at sunset
- Surfing in nearby Weligama Bay
- Seafood dinners on the beach
Did you know?
Blue whales can be seen in the sea off Mirissa, and whale-watching boats head out from its harbour to find them.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.