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Mirissa is a tropical paradise on Sri Lanka’s south coast, known for its golden beaches, swaying palm trees and laid-back atmosphere. Whether you're looking to relax by the ocean, discover hidden beaches or do exciting activities like surfing and whale watching, this small coastal town has it all.
If you only have one day in Mirissa, this guide will help you make the most of your time. From the best places to eat and what activities to do, to the best sunset spot and places to stay, we're sharing the perfect itinerary for a day in Mirissa!
Morning: Breakfast & Exploring Mirissa Beach
We'd reccomend starting your day in Mirissa with a relaxing morning by the beach, enjoying a delicious breakfast and soaking in the town’s laid-back atmosphere.
For breakfast or brunch, we highly reccomend Shady Lane, a vegetarian cafe serving up smoothie bowls, french toast and great coffee. The french toast was delicious, but honestly all of the food looked incredible.
If you prefer an authentic Sri Lankan breakfast, try traditional egg hoppers or a stuffed roti at a place like Dewmini Roti Shop.
After breakfast, take a walk along Mirissa Beach before the midday heat sets in. This is a great time to enjoy the peaceful morning atmosphere or even go for a morning dip. If you walk towards the Mirissa Fishing Harbour you'll be able to spot colourful boats and local fishermen at work.
Mid-Morning & Afternoon: Secret Beach or Surfing
After a relaxed morning exploring Mirissa, it’s time to head to Secret Beach, one of the most secluded and beautiful spots in the area. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also swap beach time for surfing in nearby Weligama, one of the best beginner surf spots in Sri Lanka.
Option 1: Relaxing at Secret Beach
Hidden away on the tip of Mirissa is Secret Beach, a small picturesque cove with turqoise waters, soft sand and swaying palm trees. Despite its name, Secret Beach isn’t exactly a well kept secret anymore.
However, its secluded location, accessible only by a 20–30 minute walk down a steep hill, means it remains much quieter than Mirissa’s main beaches.
It’s about 2 km from Mirissa Beach, which is a 20-30 minute walk or a quick tuk-tuk ride (you can't get all the way down via tuk-tuk). The journey is well worth it for the beautiful scenery at the beach and the quiet atmosphere!
Once you're there, you can rent a sunbead for a small fee (I think we paid around 500 LKR / £1.35), or set up a towl under some palm trees. There are two coves on the beach, one is a calm shallow lagoon that is protected from waves, so it was perfect for floating around to cool down.
The other section of the beach opens out into the sea so you can go for a swim, but it had big waves and was quite rocky so just be careful in this area. You can also get snacks and drinks from Secret Beach Bar, although these aren't the cheapest.
Option 2: Surfing in Weligama
If you’d rather swap relaxation for adventure, head to Weligama Beach just 10 minutes from Mirissa for some of the best beginner-friendly surfing in Sri Lanka.
It has consistent small waves, perfect for beginners, affordable surfboard rentals for around 500–800 LKR per hour, and plenty of surf schools offering 1-hour lessons for around 2,500 LKR. If you're already comfortable surfing, Mirissa Beach also has a few intermediate-level waves near the main bay.
We had a two hour lesson as a group of six, with three instructors. As a complete beginner, the small waves were perfect and the surf teachers were great! I highly reccomend doing this if you prefer doing activities over relaxing at the beach.
Evening: Sunset at Coconut Tree Hill & Beachfront Dinner
After an adventurous day in Mirissa, there’s no better way to end the day than watching the sunset from Coconut Tree Hill, one of the most iconic viewpoints in Sri Lanka.
Sunset at Coconut Tree Hill
Perched on a small cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean, Coconut Tree Hill is famous for its stunning ocean views and perfectly lined palm trees. It’s one of the best spots in Mirissa to catch the sunrise or sunset, creating a scene that’s perfect for photos.
It’s about a 10-minute walk from Mirissa Beach and the path is slightly uneven, so wearing comfortable sandals or shoes is a good idea. It can get busy at times, but its quite a big area so you should be able to find a quiet spot to watch the sunset or take photos.
After sunset, wrap up your day with a meal at one of Mirissa’s beachfront restaurants. Many spots set up tables right on the sand, creating the perfect laid-back atmosphere to enjoy fresh seafood, Sri Lankan curries or international dishes. Some of the best beachfront restaurants are Zephyr Restaurant & Bar, The Slow (vegan restaurant) and Dhana’s Curry Pot.
Other Activities to Do in Mirissa
If you have extra time or want to swap part of your itinerary, Mirissa has plenty of other exciting activities.
Whale Watching in Mirissa
Mirissa is one of the best places in the world for whale watching, with a chance to see blue whales, sperm whales and dolphins. The best time for whale watching is from November to April, when the seas are calmer and sightings are more likely. Most tours usually depart early in the morning, around 6:30 AM, and last between 3 to 5 hours.
Snorkeling with Sea Turtles
Sri Lanka has a vibrant marine life and Mirissa is one of the best spots to discover the underwater world. The waters around Mirissa are home to colorful coral reefs, tropical fish and sea turtles.
One of the best places to snorkel is Turtle Bay, where you have a high chance of swimming alongside sea turtles in the shallow waters. If you want to explore further, you can also join a guided snorkeling tour that takes you to some of the best reef locations just off the coast.
Top Rated Mirissa Tours
Where to stay in Mirissa
Mirissa has plenty of accommodations for every budget, from luxury beachfront resorts to budget-friendly hostels. We stayed in the nearby town of Ahangama, but if you're looking for an overnight stay in Mirissa, these are some of the best options.
- For a luxury stay, Lantern Boutique Hotel offers beautiful rooms in a beachfront location.
- A great mid-range option is Coastline Mirissa Boutique hotel and Spa, with modern rooms and a rooftop bar.
- If you're looking for a social hostel, check out The Hostel, with clean rooms, a bistro and working areas.
Best Time to Visit Mirissa
The peak seasons in Sri Lanka's south coast are from November to April, with sunny weather and calm seas, ideal for the beach, whale watching and snorkeling. The off-season (May to October) has more rain and rougher seas, but it’s quieter and cheaper. We visted in September and still had great weather - it was definitely quieter!
How to get around Mirissa
Everything in Mirissa is quite close, so it's easy to walk everywhere. If you prefer not to walk or it's too far, it's easy to get a cheap tuk-tuk from the side of the road.
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