From misty mountains to golden coastlines - discover the best of Sri Lanka with Lisence to Travel Lanka.
A palm-fringed curve of sand on the south coast, famous as one of the best places on earth to spot blue whales, alongside laid-back beach bars, a working fishing harbour and one of Sri Lanka's most photographed sunset viewpoints.
Mirissa grew from a quiet fishing village into the south coast's favourite beach stop, but it hasn't lost its working harbour or its laid-back pace. The crescent bay is sheltered enough for calm swimming most of the year, backed by a curve of coconut palms and a strip of easygoing cafes and beach bars that spill onto the sand at sunset.
From November to April, boats leave the harbour before dawn chasing blue whales and sperm whales in the deep water just offshore — among the most reliable whale-watching grounds anywhere in the world. We build Mirissa into the south-coast route as an overnight or two-night stop, timed for an early whale-watching trip, a sunset walk up Coconut Tree Hill, and time to simply do nothing on the beach.
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