Mirissa is a half-moon bay with palm trees leaning over the sand, a rocky headland at one end and a working fishing harbour at the other. It is busier than it was a decade ago, but the beach is still good and the reason most people come is a mile or two offshore.
The whales
The continental shelf comes unusually close to land near Dondra Head, putting deep ocean within an hour of the harbour. Blue whales are effectively resident here in season rather than passing through, which is why sighting rates are so high. Sperm whales, Bryde’s whales, spinner dolphins in their hundreds and occasionally orca are all possible.
Choose your operator carefully. A responsible boat keeps 100 metres away, approaches from the side rather than head-on, limits its time with an animal and does not race other boats to a blow. We only work with operators who do this.
Around Mirissa
- Coconut Tree Hill — the headland everyone photographs, five minutes’ walk east.
- Weligama — ten minutes west, the gentlest beach break in Sri Lanka and the best place in the country to learn to surf.
- Secret Beach — a short tuk-tuk ride, small, rocky and quieter.
- Parrot Rock — climb it at sunset.
