Mirissa Beach Sri Lanka: Our Complete Guide To The Sea, Surf & Sunset
- Kate Colliety
- Jul 2
- 8 min read
Huge rollers crash onto the fine sand that lines Mirissa Beach while we jump, dive and back slap our way through the breakers as though we were children once again. The sun begins to set and we walk exhausted into a beachfront bar for a mojito.
Mirissa Beach is another stunning spot along Sri Lanka’s south coast that stole our hearts although, to be honest, we fell in love with the whole country.
Mirissa is known for epic whale watching, stunning coastline viewpoints and a vibrant nightlife. All of this is centered around the main Mirissa Beach, a long stretch of warm sand, home to many beachfront resorts, bars and epic dusty sunsets.
Our favorite part of the beach was the western end away from the busy road and tourist area and home to the surf break although we also enjoyed our adventure to Parrot Rock which sits central on the arc of sand. The eastern side of the beach at low tide joins Secret Beach which eventually meets the famous Coconut Tree Hill Viewpoint.
This guide will share everything you need to know about visiting Mirissa Beach, from the best time to visit, things to do, best Mirissa beach resorts and our experience of the Sri Lankan paradise.
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Where Is Mirissa Beach?
Mirissa Beach is located on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, in the laid-back town of Mirissa. The beach itself stretches along the edge of the town, parallel to the main Matara Road (A2), making it incredibly easy to find. Once you're on the sand, the road noise fades into the sound of crashing waves.
Mirissa is easily reached by bus or train from other towns along the coast or the capital of Colombo.
How To Get To Mirissa Beach?
From Colombo or nearby towns
You can easily reach Mirissa by bus or train from coastal towns like Galle, Weligama, or Colombo. Trains run frequently along the scenic coastal railway line, while buses are slightly faster and more frequent. From Colombo, the journey takes around 3–4 hours depending on traffic and your choice of transport.
From Mirissa Town
We often struggled to get onto Asian beaches due to the multitude of bars and resorts lining the sand and Mirissa Beach was no different, we did find an entrance off the main road with parking for a tuktuk (if you’ve rented one). This entrance was next to Babakka Sunset Bar.
From our accommodation, Ancient Tree Guesthouse, we walked down to the beach each evening as it was less than a 5-minute walk, this was also perfect for our morning swim.
Our Experience & What To Expect At Mirissa Beach
Mirissa beach was one of the more crowded beaches we visited along the south coast, but don’t let that put you off as there’s plenty of space for sunbathing and swimming!
We first visited in the evening, for a quick swim after a sweaty drive from Tangalle. The waves here in November were intense. Huge breakers crashed onto the shore and while fun, we suggest entering with caution during the shoulder seasons.
After exhausting ourselves in the sea we made our way for a cocktail as a thunderstorm rolled in, visiting in the shoulder season does mean fewer crowds but unpredictable weather.
We returned each day to Mirissa Beach, which for the rest of our stay provided sunshine, delicious food at Ourworld WiFi Cafe and endless fun in the waves.
What To Do At Mirissa Beach
Swimming at Mirissa Beach
The waves during the South West Monsoon season which runs from July to September are rough and unforgiving. When we arrived in late November we were still greeted by huge rolling and sometimes barrelling waves making swimming tough. We cautiously enjoyed ourselves in the rolling waves which aren’t cold at all, and made sure we didn’t go too far out.
As time moves through the dry season the conditions calm and swimming becomes easier and safer allowing for snorkeling. One of the best snorkelling spots in Mirissa is around Parrot Rock.
Parrot Rock is a large island 15m out to sea off Mirissa Beach. Only easily accessible at low tide, as we found out after a soggy crossing which you can read about here, Parrot Rock is a popular sunset spot due to its west facing vantage point. It also provides sweeping views of Mirissa Beach and to the east Coconut Tree Hill.
A 15-minute walk along Mirissa Beach and past Secret Beach will lead you to Coconut Tree Hill. Here you can snap the most beautiful pictures with a palm tree scattered Indian Ocean backdrop. We suggest you arrive early to avoid the crowds or at sunset to join others in the evening. It will also give you views across the whole of Mirissa Beach.
Surfing At Mirissa Beach
Mirissa Beach has a right hand reef break at the western end of the sand. This is perfect for intermediate and advanced surfers.
If you’re a beginner we recommend checking out Weligama, we learned to surf here on an easy beach break. We also spent 5 epic nights at The Surfer Weligama, which we highly recommend!
Jet Ski At Mirissa Beach
While relaxing on the beach we enjoyed watching the jet skis zip back and forth. We’ve found this Jet Ski experience that will allow you to feel the rush of being on the ocean or if you prefer a more relaxing experience pick this canoeing experience instead!
There’s no shortage of places to eat along the front of Mirissa Beach. Each place varies in budget from high end fresh fish to cheap and cheerful kottu. We’ve shared some of our favourites below.
As budget travellers we often stay away from beachfront bars, but Ourworld WiFi Cafe sits right on the entrance to Mirissa Beach and has budget-friendly prices. We enjoyed cheap fried rice (better than the noodles in our opinion) for lunch and a fresh coconut prepared with a swoop of a machete!
We visited Central Beach Inn during the thunderstorm and enjoyed some delicious Mojitos. Although we didn’t eat here, the fish looked fantastic and the staff were super friendly.
We also loved how you could choose to eat on the sand or inside the restaurant, a choice between sand between your toes or a more formal setting. This is also an epic sunset bar, perfect for drinks with friends, as long as the weather holds off!
Dhana’s Curry Pot isn’t on the beachfront but it is one of the most popular restaurants in Mirissa. Dhana’s offers an all you eat buffet for 1500 LKR per person.
We wouldn’t do this everyday as there are more budget-friendly eateries around but we loved the idea we could try a variety of local Sri Lankan dishes and find out what we loved!
We highly recommend trying the Mango Chutney, Coconut Roti and Fish Curry, the dhal was good too, basically pile your plate high!
We tried so much yummy food, and were of course the first to dig into the dessert, a platter of fruit and little sweets wrapped individually in white paper.
Mirissa Beachfront Resorts & Hostels
If you’re on a budget then the beachfront may be out of reach but Hostel First is only 100m from the crashing waves with a great social life and dorm rooms available for as little as $3 a night! Located centrally in Mirissa you will be within walking distance to some of the top attractions and restaurants.
Paradise Beach Resort sits on Mirissa Beach allowing for direct access to the sand and sea. It also has two swimming pools, an onsite restaurant and bar and offers sea-view rooms. The hotel can organise diving, snorkelling and fishing excursions and costs around $30-$50 per night. We think this is the best choice if you want a beachfront stay.
A slice of luxury in Mirissa, this 6-room beachfront villa is perfect for exclusivity. The hotel includes an outdoor pool, spa services and ocean views. The perfect spot for a couple retreat!
Mirissa Beach FAQs
Is Mirissa Beach good for swimming?
Yes, Mirissa Beach is excellent for swimming with calm, warm waters and gentle waves in most areas during the dry season. The central section of the beach offers the safest swimming conditions, although if like us you visit in the shoulder seasons the waves can be rough and unforgiving.
What is the best time to visit Mirissa Beach?
The best time to visit Mirissa Beach is during the dry season from December to March when you'll have sunny skies, calm seas, and perfect beach weather. Avoid the monsoon season (May to September).
Can you see whales from Mirissa Beach?
While you can't typically see whales directly from Mirissa Beach, it's the main departure point for whale watching tours. Blue whales and sperm whales are commonly spotted just offshore from December to April. We recommend joining a tour with Raja and The Whales.
Is Mirissa Beach crowded?
Mirissa Beach can get busy during peak season (December-March), especially around the central area near restaurants and bars. The western and eastern ends of the beach are generally quieter.
What is Secret Beach Mirissa?
Secret Beach is a smaller, more secluded section at the eastern end of Mirissa Beach, accessible during low tide and near Coconut Tree Hill.
What can you do at Mirissa Beach?
Popular activities include swimming, surfing, sunbathing, Jet Skiing, whale watching tours, visiting Parrot Rock, climbing to Coconut Tree Hill viewpoint, and enjoying beachfront dining.
Where is the best sunset spot at Mirissa Beach?
The western end of Mirissa Beach offers the best sunset views, particularly around the surf break area and beachfront bars like Central Beach Inn.
Best Mirissa Tours
Mirissa Travel Tips
Rent a tuk tuk: This made our trip! Having our own tuk tuk gave us complete freedom to explore hidden beaches, visit nearby towns like Weligama and Matara, and stop wherever we liked. It also led to some of our most authentic interactions with locals.
Choose an Ethical Whale Watching Tour: Mirissa is famous for whale watching, but not all tours are responsible. We recommend Raja & the Whales who follow ethical practices, respect marine life, and are known for being eco-conscious.
Try local eateries, we loved Simple Restaurant in Mirissa. Find out the top places to eat in Mirissa here!
Avoid ATM Fees: Use the Bank of Ceylon ATMs to avoid withdrawal fees. Most places in Mirissa still only accept cash, so it’s worth withdrawing enough for your stay.
Final Thoughts on Mirissa Beach Sri Lanka
We loved Mirissa Beach, it provided the perfect mix of lazy beach days with sun bathing and cocktails as well as plenty of things to do like clamber over to Parrot Rock. When visiting Mirissa Beach don’t forget to explore all corners from the tide-dependent Secret Beach and epic surf spot on the western side.
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Thank you for reading and enjoy your Sri Lankan adventure. Reach out to us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels. We always love to hear from people who read our blogs!
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