Mirissa

Mirissa is a crescent of golden sand backed by palms on Sri Lanka's southern tip, and the main base for whale watching on the island. The continental shelf drops away sharply just offshore, bringing blue whales — the largest animals ever to have lived — within a few hours' boat ride of the harbour. Add sunset views, seafood dinners on the sand and some of the best swimming on the south coast, and it is easy to see why most beach itineraries include a few days here.

Whale watching

The season runs from about November to April, with the calmest seas and best sightings usually between December and March. Blue whales are the headline, but sperm whales, Bryde's whales and spinner dolphins are also seen.

Trips leave the harbour at around 6:30–7 am and last 4–6 hours. Seas can be rough — take seasickness tablets beforehand if you are prone to it.

Choose responsibly. Too many boats crowding the same whale is a real problem here. Pick an operator who keeps a respectful distance, limits the number of boats around an animal, and briefs passengers on the guidelines. Read our whale watching guide before you book.

Things to do

• Coconut Tree Hill — a small headland of palms over the sea, beautiful at sunrise before the crowds.
• Parrot Rock — wade out to this rock at the beach's eastern end for sunset views (only at low tide and calm seas).
• Secret Beach — a small cove a short tuk-tuk ride west, good for snorkelling when the sea is calm.
• Surfing — Mirissa has a reef break for experienced surfers; beginners do better ten minutes away in Weligama.
• Turtle spotting — nearby Polhena often has turtles feeding in shallow water.

When to visit

November to April. From May to September the south-west monsoon brings big waves, strong currents and red flags; many places close and whale-watching boats stop running from Mirissa (the season moves to Trincomalee).

Getting there

Mirissa is about 2.5 hours from Colombo via the Southern Expressway, 40 minutes from Galle and around 4.5 hours from Ella. The coastal train stops at Weligama or Mirissa, and buses run along the main road all day.

Where to stay

The main beach has guesthouses and hotels steps from the sand, though the beachfront strip can be noisy at night. Quieter options sit on the hills behind town or towards the Weligama end.