Bucket List: Amazing Places to Visit in Mirissa, Sri Lanka

Mirissa in Sri Lanka is undoubtedly one of God’s most breathtaking blessings. The place not only serves as a means to relax and enjoy yourself but also an opportunity to experience nature’s work at its finest.

If you’re looking to experience various activities such as going on a safari, swimming, and traveling by vehicle or foot, Mirissa is a place you cannot miss. Mirissa is truly a paradise for people who enjoy spending their time outside.

With that said, here’s a list of activities you can immerse yourself in to create a memorable experience:

Enjoy Mirissa Beach

Mirissa beach is a party location for a lot of locals and tourists. This is because of the beach’s strategic location, which is accessed through the Galle-Matara main road.

If you’re an energetic extrovert who likes interacting with people, this is the suitable beach for you. There are multiple swimming activities that you can do, such as surfing and snorkeling.

The beach also has a lot of bars, restaurants, and guesthouses.

Eat freshly caught seafood

One of the highlights of Mirissa is the food considering that they were freshly caught. In fact, beachside restaurants offer a tray of fresh seafood.

Luckily, the restaurants are open to cooking seafood, depending on your preference. Some of the food you can taste are crabs, giant prawns, red snappers, squids, and tuna.

Visit Parrot Rock

While exploring Mirissa Beach, you shouldn’t miss out on visiting Parrot Rock. Parrot Rock is easily accessible as it is only located on the south end of the beach.

When you get to the top of Parrot Rock, the view of the entire Mirissa Beach can be seen. Also, there are rock pools nearby that provide a calm area where you can swim and snorkel.

Snorkel in Turtle Bay

Turtles are some of the species that tourists look forward to seeing when they visit Sri Lanka. A significant amount of these can be found in Turtle Bay, located near Parrot Rock.

Out of seven turtle species globally, five can be found in Turtle Bay, which is the following: Green Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle, Leatherback Turtle, Loggerhead Turtle, and Olive Ridley Turtle.

Also, snorkeling and swimming won’t be a problem, given that the bay is protected by coral reefs.

Climb the Coconut Tree Hill

After visiting Turtle Bay, Coconut Tree Hill is just around the corner. This hill is actually a cliff that allows you to appreciate the golden sand and glistening waters.

Also, this venue provides an excellent place to watch the sunrise and sunset. Before you take your pictures, watch out for the falling coconuts.

Go to the Sea Turtle Hatchery

Given the significant number of turtles in the area, it makes sense that there are means to care for them in their time of need.

Two sea turtle hatcheries between Mirissa and Galle care for injured adult and baby turtles who have yet to hatch.

Visiting the hatcheries will allow you to participate in the process of catering to the needs of these turtles. You also get to learn more about the five species of turtles in the area.

Relax in Secret Beach

If you are an introvert who prefers spending time on a beach with fewer people, then Secret Beach is your paradise.

In fact, it is a safe and calm swimming place for visitors. The Secret Beach is divided into Main Beach and Lagoon Beach. Main Beach is an unprotected part of the beach where you can freely swim near the open ocean.

The Lagoon Beach has a rocky surrounding that prevents the waves from entering. There is also a beach bar nearby where you can buy food and drinks.

Experience a safari in Yala National Park

Mirissa is not only known for its beaches but also for the presence of wildlife creatures. This park is unique due to its large variety of animals, such as leopards, crocodiles, monkeys, buffalos, sloth bears, and birds.

Going on a safari will allow you to spot and observe these wildlife creatures. However, even if there are around 40-50 leopards in the area, they have the tendency to be high, so don’t always expect to find them.

Experience a safari in Udawalawe National Park

Like the Yala National Park, the Udawalawe National Park also has a variety of species. What sets this park apart from the rest is the large presence of elephants in the area.

In fact, there are around 500-700 elephants in the park. The large presence of elephants is caused by the Udawalawe Reservoir.

If you want to capture the sight of elephants, this is the right spot.

Visit the Elephant Transit Home

The Elephant Transit Home is located in Udawalawe, allowing you to look at orphan elephants closely.

This was built to protect elephants from humans’ encroachment on animal habitats. They are returned to the wild once they turn five years old when their chances of survival are higher.

In fact, more than 110 elephants were returned to the parks nationwide.

Take the day to roam around in Galle Fort.

Galle Fort is a Mediterranean atmosphere recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This place is filled with history as it was once occupied by the Portuguese and eventually conquered by the Dutch.

While the fort is 45 minutes away from Mirissa, there are a variety of activities that you can’t find anywhere else.

Some of the activities you can do are exploring fish markets, learning about Sri Lankan cuisine, preparing Virgin White Tea, and visiting Galle’s Maritime Museum.

Surf in Weligama Beach

Weligama Beach is the perfect place to learn if you’re interested in surfing, regardless of your skill level.

Asides from having plenty of waves, the area offers means to complement your surfing skills. Boards are accessible through board rentals, while plenty of surf schools provide tutorials on surfing across all skill levels.

This means you have the opportunity to find the right teacher who fits your preferred style of learning.

Observe Stilt Fishermen

After surfing on Weligama Beach, you can visit the stilt fishermen on the outskirts of Weligama.

Stilt Fishing is the country’s traditional fishing method where fishermen sit on wooden poles while pulling their lines up and down.

This is for them to catch small Spotted Herrings and Mackerels. However, most of the fishermen’s income is from charging tourists who take their photos.

Go Whale Watching

Whale Watching is one of the country’s top tourist attractions. In fact, from December to April, many tourists go to Mirissa to experience the breathtaking sights of whales.

This is why many tour operators will tend to facilitate the requests of tourists to go whale watching. Sri Lanka is the home to many exotic whales, such as the Humpback Whales, Sperm Whales, and the famous Blue Whale.

Rent the appropriate vehicle for your travels

As observed above, there are many places to go to in Mirissa. Thus, it would help if you could plan accordingly on the places you plan to explore.

If you plan to travel alone, you can rent a motorbike which will allow you to access small roads. If you plan to travel with a group, you can rent a Tuk-Tuk for your convenience.

However, if you don’t have an international driving license, acquiring the services of a tourist agency or a driver is also a viable alternative.

Mirissa Travel and Tour Packages

To help you plan out your visit to Mirissa, we listed places to visit and other amazing Mirissa, Sri Lanka. We also listed some of the best travel deals and tour packages and excellent flight deals and accommodation.

Searching for the best hotels, resorts, and affordable flights in the nearby Cities? Check out our list of cheap Tulsa hotels and resorts via Agoda, Booking, or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.

Want more updates about new package tours and tourist spots in Mirissa, Sri Lanka? Follow #TeamOutofTown, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for more travel ideas.

Also read:

• Top 10 Best Beaches In Sri Lanka
• 6 Fun Things To Do In Sri Lanka
• Blue Elephant Bangkok: A Royal Thai Cuisine Dining Experience
• A Day At The Elephant Sanctuary In Chiang Mai, Thailand
• Exploring Bangkok Safari World