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Mirissa, located on the south coast of Sri Lanka, is famous for its iconic Coconut Tree Hill and is a popular stop on many travelers’ itineraries. I’ll show you the best activities in Mirissa and plenty of tips for your stay.
Parrotrock is a small rock in Mirissa Bay that you can climb via a sporadically built ladder. We were there at sunrise and had a magnificent view over the glistening water.
A little later, the fishermen come to the shore in their boats to catch fresh fish in the morning light. Watching them in their small, colorful boats was also super meditative. It’s a morning walk that is really worth getting up early for.
The Turtle Point is right next to the Coconut Treehill and here you can swim with turtles that come into the bay in search of seaweed. We were also almost alone here in the morning. Supposedly the best time to see turtles is between 8:00 AM and 12:00 AM.
If there had been such a huge rush for the turtles here, we probably wouldn’t have gone into the water so as not to disturb the animals. So we just snorkeled around and were able to swim with the turtles (without touching them, of course).
Despite its name, Secret Beach is anything but secret these days. In fact, you’ll find plenty of sun loungers and tables set up in the evenings, along with loud music filling the air. The beach itself is actually pretty nice, and it’s a great spot for swimming.
However, if you’re after a quiet, secluded beach, this probably isn’t the place for you. That being said, the view for watching the sunset is still really beautiful, but I wouldn’t spend the whole day here.
How to get there: Secret Beach is tucked away behind the cliffs at the far end of Mirissa Beach. It’s not possible to walk along the coast to get there, so you’ll need to go around, which takes about 20–30 minutes on foot from Mirissa Beach. If you prefer taking a tuk-tuk, keep in mind that drivers might charge a bit more than usual due to the steep route.
Several other beaches near Mirissa are easy to reach. Simply hop on a bus that runs along the main road and get off at your desired stop.
If you head west, you’ll find the expansive Weligama Beach, known for its wide open space, numerous bars, and bustling surf scene.
On the other hand, if you head in the opposite direction, you’ll discover the more secluded Thalaramba Beach. This small, peaceful spot is often quiet and uncrowded, and if you’re fortunate, you might even spot a turtle or two swimming nearby.
The biggest highlight for me in tropical countries is the fruit, for which you would pay a fortune in Europe. To really savor this, you can have a freshly prepared fruit platter served to you at 151 fruit bar.
You get a colorful mix of fruit and don’t even have to peel it yourself or anything. It was just incredibly tasty and refreshing. The fruit stand is located approximately at the level of the Coconut Treehill on the street.
The Coconut Tree Hill is one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic photo spots and a major reason why many travelers visit Mirissa. Naturally, we decided to check out this small, palm-covered hill as well, but instead of going at sunset like most people, we went early in the morning.
I must admit, the hype around Coconut Tree Hill is a bit overblown, but the view of Mirissa Bay in the morning light was still nice. The sand took on a lovely pinkish-orange hue, adding to the charm of the scene.
Sri Lanka offers year-round surfing, with the southwest coast ideal from October to April, and the east coast better from April to October. The warm water, around 27°C, means no wetsuit is needed.
In Mirissa, however, there is no beach break. Instead, the area offers two reef breaks: Mirissa Left and Mirissa Right, located at either end of the beach. The waves here are short and fast. Mirissa Left is beginner-friendly, making it a great spot for those new to surfing, while Mirissa Right is more suited for surfers with a bit more experience. Keep in mind, entry into the water is through the reef, which can be tricky.
From the coast: Buses run along the entire coastline in both directions. If you’re coming from places like Galle, Tangalle, Hiriketiya, or anywhere else along the coast, you can easily take a bus. Just hop on a bus heading in the right direction and let the driver know where you’d like to get off. You can either start at a bus station or simply wait at a bus stop along the route.
From bigger cities: Highway buses to Matara are available from major cities like Colombo, Negombo, Kandy, or even from the airport. Once you reach Matara, it’s just a short ride to Mirissa on a local bus.
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