11 Best things to do in Mirissa
Hey everyone, in this article we will share with you the best things to do in Mirissa.
 In April 2024, we spent 2 weeks travelling in Sri Lanka. Out of which we spent 2 nights in Mirissa which gave us enough time to visit the main things to do in Mirissa. However, a third night would also have been nice to have.
Mirissa was one of our favorite destinations in Sri Lanka. It is without a doubt our favorite for the beach. We loved the vibes of Mirissa, there were quite a few things to do, it wasn’t as touristic as other beach destinations and there were so many nice places to eat at.
In this article, we will tell our story going around all the best things to do in Mirissa. So, if you too are planning a trip to Sri Lanka and to Mirissa, then let ‘s dive in these best things to do in Mirissa.
Here is our complete video from this trip :
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Getting there
Depending on where you are coming from there are multiple solutions. If you are coming from Tissamaharama and the Yala National Park, the easiest way is to hire a driver. The journey takes Ah30 to 2h, Ask your accommodation to organise one. They will always have the best price you can find, and it is a hustle free organisation.
If you prefer public transportation and have time, you can hop on the bus which takes up to 4h. From the Tissamaharama bus stop, take le 334 bus toward Matara, in Matara take the 350 to Udupila. From there either walk or take a tuktuk to Mirissa.
Moving Around
The best way to move around Mirissa is by scooter. We hire one from our accommodation which was super easy. With a scooter you will be free to move where you want when you want. Plus, it will be cheaper than other means of transportation.
Of course you can also use tuktuks.. Always ask your accommodation to organize it for us as you will be able to know the rate before taking it and won’t need to negotiate.
When to Visit
Sri Lanka is a year-round destination thanks to its combination of weather systems ensuring that one or several regions has a good weather. Meaning that each side of the island has its own best time to visit.
The dry seasons by month and destination are:
- North – May to September
- Center – January to April
- South – December – March
If like us you plan a trip around the country, the best time to visit to Sri Lanka will be between January and mid-April.
Temperatures are constant year-round, with coastal regions enjoying average temperatures of 25-30°C and the highlands 15-18°C on average.
We visited it beginning of April and got quite a good weather with only some rain on our final days there. However, it was hot and humid.
Where to Stay
Our favourite accommodation in Mirissa :
What to Eat
The best things to try in Sri Lanka are:
- Dhal curries
- Vegetable curry
- Vegetable Kotu
- Egg Hoppers
- Coconut Sambals
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Regarding alcohol, the Lion beer is quite nice, and you can also try the coconut spirit.
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Our favorite places to eat in Mirissa are:
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- O Mirissa Cafe and Bistro
- 1 Dewmini Roti Shop
- Hey Mama
- Shady Lane Mirissa
- Oh la la !!! Beach bar and restaurant
- Layback Rooftop Café, Restaurant & Bar
Best things to do in Mirissa
Coconut Tree Beach
Coconut tree hill is one of the most famous spots in Mirissa and on top of the best things to do in Mirissa. It became famous thanks to social medias. Â You can visit it early morning or late in the afternoon to have the place not too crowded. The hill is filled with stunning coconut trees and offers pleasant ocean views
Turtle Beach
Next to the coconut tree hill, at a closed second in the top things to do in Mirissa is Turtle beach. From coconut tree hill, walk down the hill to the turtle beach and turtle point. This location is a must to snorkel at to spot turtles. If you don’t have your mask and tube, you can rent some directly on the beach.
Be sure to ask locals where to go to see the turtles or follow the crowd. We got told by local and saw the crowd and then spotted 2 turtles in 5 minutes.
Parot Rock
Parot rock is a stunning place in Mirissa, this elevated lookout on top of a large rock offers nice views of Mirissa Beach and the ocean. We went there early morning during low tide, and it was great and not crowded. Be sure to follow the line to reach it and not the rocks.
Mirissa beach
Mirissa beach is located next to Parot rock and is one of the longest beaches in the area. It is perfect to chill at, but we especially enjoyed taking a morning walk on it.
Secret Beach
The secret beach of Mirissa is not so secret anymore. But on a clear day it is a great place to watch sunset. The beach is quite small, but it offers a small pool where you are sheltered from the strong ocean waves. If you are looking for a cozier beach, then secret beach if for you.
SPA Ceylon
We discovered SPA Ceylon in Mirissa, we were amazed by this shop that offers tons of of natural & cruelty-free well-being rituals made with powerful Ayurveda WonderHerbs for your mind, body & soul.
This was the place we would go to for our souvenirs and that’s the reason a shop is on our list of the best things to do in Mirissa. The shop is so colourful that it truly welcomes you.
Cooking Class
An interesting thing that you can do in Mirissa is to take a cooking class. We loved the local food, and a cooking class could be the opportunity to learn about the local cuisine as well as bring home some homemade recipes.
Turtle Hatchery
On our way to Unawatuna, we stopped at a turtle hatchery. We were curious about this place as we had got mixed review for them.
Personally, we liked the one we visited. We learnt a lot about turtle and from a regular person point of view, the turtles are well treated and without such center couldn’t survive in the wild..
Watch the Giant Bat
One of the best things to do in Mirissa and that we loved do to in Mirissa was the swimming pool in our accommodation. It was the perfect place to relax, enjoy a giant coconut, watch the chipmunks and peacocks or even to watch Giant bats flying around at night.
More things to do in Mirissa
If you want more things to do in Mirissa, you can consider:
- Whale Watching Tour
It is not the destination where you end up but the mishaps and memories you create along the way
Get our full map
Why pin one by one when you can get them all at once? With this map, you get all our pins, destinations, things to see, where to eat and sleep, and so much more in one time.
