The complete guide to Mirissa, Sri Lanka – How to get here, what to see and where to eat

Mirissa is one of the most popular destinations on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Located 150 km south of the capital Colombo, it attracts visitors mainly because of its beautiful beaches, underwater life and great relaxed atmosphere.

How to get to Mirissa

Mirissa can be reached by train, bus, car or even by air. Although there is no train station in Mirissa, it is an ideal way how to get here. We recommend travelling from the capital Colombo to Weligama, which is only 8 km from Mirissa. From there, you can take a taxi or local tuktuk and you’ll be there in minutes. Another way is to arrive by bus from the capital Colombo (bus 2 or 32-4).

The nearest airport is located 25 km from Mirissa in Kogala. However, flights to this airport are much more expensive than Colombo International Airport.

If you’re travelling here from Ella, you’ll probably have to take a private transfer, as there’s no direct service. If you decide to arrive by public transport, this would involve several transfers and could take you all day. We arrived from Ella to Mirissa with a private driver and paid about 50€ for the trip. The whole trip took about 2.5 hours (depending on traffic).

Typical buses in Sri Lanka.

Beaches in Mirissa

Mirissa Beach

As we have already mentioned, so many people travel to Mirissa because of its beautiful beaches. The most famous of them is certainly the town beach Mirissa. This beach is ideal for those who want to relax and read a book, but also for those who prefer a more active holiday. The sea is a bit rougher here, so you can rent a surfboard, board or just fool around in the waves.

There are also many local restaurants and bars where you can enjoy all-day happyhours. If you buy a drink, you can usually use their sun loungers and parasols for free. On this beach you can also watch a beautiful sunset or enjoy dinner in one of the above-mentioned restaurants in a beautiful romantic atmosphere.

Mirissa beach is an ideal place to relax and have a drink.

Secret Beach

This beach is located on a tiny peninsula between Mirissa and Weligama. It is a very nice beach hidden between the jungle and the rocks. It is a quieter beach than Mirissa Beach, but it is still visited by dozens of tourists every day. There are bars and restaurants, so it’s the perfect place to spend the whole day. We recommend bringing water shoes as the water entrance is a bit more complicated. You can get here by motorbike, tuktuk or on foot.

Secret Beach.

Trip to Tangalle beach

One of the most beautiful beaches in Sri Lanka is definitely Tangalle beach. It is located at the southeastern end of Sri Lanka and is about 50 km away from Mirissa. If you go here by motorbike, the journey can take more than two hours. On the way to Tangalle Beach (or towards home) you can also stop at other beautiful beaches along the way such as Silent Point Beach, Hiriketiya Beach, or Dikwella Beach.

Trip to Weligama, Galle and Unawatuna

There are also other beautiful seaside towns around Mirissa that are definitely worth a visit. Whether it’s Unawatuna, which is especially famous for its beautiful beaches and coral reefs, Galle, which has an ancient fortress at its heart, or Weligama, which offers a great atmosphere, a gastronomic experience, or great surfing conditions. It’s up to you whether you decide to visit these places on day trips from Mirissa or spend several nights there. Both options are great.

Famous lighthouse in Galle.

Places in Mirissa you must visit

Parrot Rock

Mirissa’s extensive town beach is divided by a small island called Parrot Rock. It is a tidal island covered with colourful vegetation, which should resemble a parrot. However, you need to be very careful about when you visit it. Because you can’t get out of it during high tide. Admission is free.

Coconut Tree Hill

Coconut Tree hill is one of the most famous places not only in Mirissa but in the entire Sri Lanka. It is an orange hill with literally dozens of palm trees sticking out of it. Most often people visit it during sunset, which makes this place magical. It is located directly in Mirissa. Parking is free and it takes about 3-4 minutes to get to the hill from the parking lot, so you don’t have to make any more difficult climbs.

One of the best places to watch the sunset in Mirissa.

A good atmosphere at Coconut Tree Hill will be provided by the locals.

Activities in Mirissa

Dolphin watching

Many people come to this part of Sri Lanka mainly because of the colourful underwater world. One of the favourite activities for tourists is dolphin watching. The best time to see dolphins and whales is from December to March. These types of tours can be purchased in town or directly on Mirissa beach. They usually start early in the morning and last 4-6 hours.

Snorkelling with turtles

Even though you’ll see many companies on Mirissa Beach offering snorkeling with turtles for around 9€ per person, we know how to do it for free! The most famous snorkeling spot is located right on one of the beaches in Mirissa and you can get there very easily without a tour or guide. Your own snorkelling equipment will be enough. Turtles usually swim very close to shore so you can enjoy the experience to the fullest. The exact location can be found here.

The turtles are quite used to people, so you can get close to them. However, do not touch them under any circumstances.

Surfing in Mirissa

Surfing in Mirissa is very popular especially among beginners and intermediate surfers. Although Mirissa beach itself is not a top surfing destination in Sri Lanka compared to places like Arugam Bay or Weligama, it still offers good waves and a pleasant experience for those who want to ride the waves in a relaxed and beautiful environment.

There are several surf schools in Mirissa itself, but they are usually mainly for intermediate surfers. For beginners, the beaches in Weligama, which is only 8 km away, are ideal. The biggest surfing season is from November to March. Because the water is then a pleasant 25 degrees and no wetsuit is needed.

Gastronomy in Mirissa

In Mirissa, you’ll find everything from local restaurants, international businesses and bars to fancy cafés. So it’s up to you what kind of kitchen and what price range you’re looking for. Here are also some specific tips for gastronomic establishments that you should not miss during your visit.

The first is the local streetfood Bundi Full Restaurant. You’ll find the best burgers, hotdogs and even a lunch buffet menu that you have to try. The prices are really low and we came back several times.

If you need a break from Sri Lankan cuisine, Bundi Full is the place to be.

If you are looking for more international alternatives and are a lover of e.g. Italian cuisine, DelTano’s Wood Fired Pizza & Pasta is worth a visit. If you prefer more upscale restaurants, Petti Petti Mirissa is worth mentioning. As well as being a great restaurant, you can also enjoy the swimming pool, which is free for restaurant customers. The restaurant is located right on the beach.

After a great lunch in Petti Petti, you can relax in their swimming pool.

For lovers of good coffee, we definitely recommend Shady Lane Mirissa, or Aloha Coffee Gallery, where they also have great breakfast and brunch options and many vegetarian and vegan alternatives. If you make your way to Weligama, definitely don’t miss the NOMAD Café.