Blue whale watching
Sri Lanka is the most reliable place on earth to see blue whales from a day boat.
Beach & Ocean
Mirissa travel guide
Palm-fringed sand, warm water and blue whales offshore.
About Mirissa
Mirissa & the Whale Coast
Mirissa is a crescent of sand between two headlands, with fishing boats at one end and a reef-sheltered swimming bay at the other. It is the most relaxed stretch of the south coast and the base for one of the great wildlife encounters on the planet.
A few nautical miles offshore, the continental shelf drops away sharply and blue whales — the largest animals that have ever lived — pass close to land. Sperm whales, spinner dolphins in pods of hundreds, and occasionally orca share the same water.
- Drive from Colombo
- 2.5 hours (150 km) via expressway
- Drive from Galle
- 40 minutes (35 km)
- Whale trip
- 4 – 5 hours, departing around 6.30am
- Ideal stay
- 3 nights
Photo gallery
Mirissa in high definition
Highlights & attractions
What you should not miss
The five things our guides make sure every guest sees in Mirissa.
Coconut Tree Hill
A palm-covered headland dropping into the ocean — the south coast’s signature view.
Secret Beach
A trio of small coves a ten-minute walk inland from the main bay.
Parrot Rock
A tidal outcrop you can climb straight off the beach for sunset.
Weligama surf
Gentle beach break next door — the best place in Sri Lanka to learn.
Things to do
How to spend your time in Mirissa
- Board a small-group whale watching boat at 6.30am with a licensed, responsible operator.
- Learn to surf on the forgiving sandy break at Weligama Bay.
- Walk to Coconut Tree Hill for sunrise before the crowds arrive.
- Eat grilled seafood on the sand at one of the beach kitchens.
- Take a day trip to Galle Fort, 40 minutes west.
- Snorkel or dive the reef at Polhena, where green turtles graze.
Best time to visit
November to April — calm seas, and whale season runs December to April.
The southwest monsoon churns the water from May to September, when most whale watching stops. December to April is peak season: flat morning seas, high sighting rates and the best swimming. Sightings are never guaranteed, but success rates in season exceed 80 per cent.
Month-by-month weather guide
Tour packages
Tours that include Mirissa
Beach & Ayurveda Escape
Slow days on the southern coast with an authentic Ayurveda programme, whale watching and a night inside Galle Fort.
View itinerary
Honeymoon & Romance
Private dinners, a tea planter’s bungalow, a tented camp under the stars and a villa on the water — designed for two.
View itinerary
Wildlife & Safari Expedition
Leopards in Yala, elephants at Minneriya and Udawalawe, blue whales off Mirissa and rainforest endemics at Sinharaja.
View itinerary
Enquiry
Plan your visit to Mirissa
Tell us your dates and we will send a tailor-made itinerary including Mirissa, with hotels, driving times and a clear quote.
Nearby destinations
Mirissa pairs naturally with these — most guests combine them into one route.
Southern Province
Galle Fort
A walled Dutch town on a headland, four centuries old and still lived in.
Explore
Southern & Uva
Yala National Park
The highest density of leopards anywhere in the world.
Explore
Eastern Province
Arugam Bay
A world-class point break and the island’s most easy-going coastline.
ExploreStart planning
Ready to see Mirissa for yourself?
Tell us your dates, your travel style and who is coming. You will receive a tailor-made itinerary and a clear quote — usually within 24 hours, with no obligation.