Mirissa is perhaps the most popular beach destination in Sri Lanka, and it’s not hard to see why! We really loved spending time on the beach and having a more laid-back type of holiday. But there’s more to Mirissa than just awesome beaches – there’s tons of fun stuff to do too! Whether it’s catching breathtaking sunrises, grabbing yummy brunch, or zipping around on a scooter, this coastal gem has it all. We stayed for two nights and wished we could’ve stayed longer. There is so much to do and see in the area! We’ve rounded up 8 best things to do in Mirissa. Check out what to do in Mirissa for an unforgettable experience!
1. Sunrise at Coconut Tree Hill
Coconut Tree Hill is undoubtedly one of the most Instagrammable spots in Sri Lanka. Just a short walk from Mirissa Beach, this small hill offers stunning views over the ocean from atop the hill. With leaning palm trees framing the scenery, it’s a picture-perfect location! Coconut trees, the ocean, boats floating in the water,… What more could one ask for?
While most people flock here for the sunset, we highly recommend visiting Coconut Tree Hill for sunrise. The views are equally good (if not better), and the crowd is basically non-existent! There were only 5 other people when we visited for sunrise, and they all left after 10 minutes. This meant we had the whole place to ourselves, absolutely stunning. Watching the vibrant colors of the sky change as the sun rises amidst the palm trees and sea is a magical experience you won’t want to miss. 🥹 We saw all shades of blue, orange, and pink! So, grab your camera and head to Coconut Tree Hill for unforgettable views and moments!
Pro tip
It is best to arrive at least 15 minutes before the sun comes up. This will make your whole experience even more amazing as the colors will change even more. 🤩
2. Explore Parrot Rock
When you’re wandering around Mirissa Beach, you might notice a small rocky island at the end of the coast – that’s Parrot Rock! Just a 10-minute walk from Coconut Tree Hill, Parrot Rock can only be reached at low tide. You will have to time your cross over extremely well before the waves grab you or force you to quit. That’s part of the fun, though! But once you climb over, you’ll enjoy the most amazing views of Mirissa Beach. You’ll even get a glimpse of Coconut Tree Hill as well, just make sure to look to your left when looking at the ocean. 😉 There’s tons of viewpoints, but if you want something more active you could even do some snorkeling here. Parrot Rock is a really green and cool island, it’s definitely worth a stop during your Mirissa adventures!
3. Swim among turtles at Turtle Beach
Swimming among turtles was one of our bucket list experiences, and we were able to tick it off at Turtle Beach in Mirissa! It only took us 23 days of our world trip to complete this one. 😉 We rented snorkel gear for just a few euros and had an amazing time swimming with turtles. It was truly unbelievable! This was one of the reasons we bought a GoPro, and we were so happy to finally use it! We also saw lots of colorful fish, including a whole school of fish swimming by. Seeing (what feels like) thousands of fish swim less than a meter in front of you is such a surreal feeling. This was definitely one of the coolest things to do in Mirissa.
We also want to emphasize the importance of respecting wildlife. Please remember not to touch the turtles or any other animals. Let’s respect these incredible creatures and enjoy their beauty from a distance!
4. Brunch at Shady Lane
If you’re short on time and can only visit one café in Mirissa, make it Shady Lane! This spot, right in the heart of Mirissa, has the coolest atmosphere in town. Their menu is simple yet delicious, featuring smoothie bowls, chia seed puddings, and toasts. It’s not your traditional Sri Lankan cuisine, but to be honest… who cares? 😂 You’ll have plenty of time to try out local dishes, sinning this one time won’t make a difference!
Kelvin tried the Cinnamon French Toast with banana, passion fruit, and vanilla ice cream, while Thysia opted for the avocado toast with slow-roasted tomatoes and garlic butter mushrooms. Both dishes were fantastic! We really like the concept, too. Whether you’re ordering something sweet or savory, you get the option to choose your toppings or extras. For the sweet part, there’s multiple types of fruit you can choose from, as well as pick a different sauce and side (like ice cream or curd). The savory toast comes with (up to) eight toppings! These can be eggs, smashed avocado, or like Thysia picked some slow roasted tomatoes. Yummy! Their lime soda was also incredibly refreshing, Shady Lane is actually the place where we discovered our love for a good lime soda.
Keep in mind they have limited seating, and the place is really popular. This means that, during peak times, you might need to wait or arrive early to beat the crowds. With chill music, a relaxed vibe, friendly staff, and even a little shop inside, you’ll probably want to hang out here for a while!
5. Visit the most unique beach of Sri Lanka: Thalpe Beach
Thalpe Beach, also known as Rock Pool Beach, stands out as one of Sri Lanka’s most unique coastal spots. We’ll tell you right away: it’s not your usual beach scene! What sets it apart are the rectangular rock pools carved out from the coral reef, giving you your own little ocean pool – pretty awesome, right? We had never seen anything like it before, so we just had to add it to the list!
Just be careful, the rocks can be sharp. Wearing water shoes is a smart move. Thalpe Beach is still a bit of a hidden gem. When we visited, we had the whole place to ourselves! It’s worth exploring now before it gets too crowded. 😉
Fun fact
We rented a scooter for the day (2000 LKR/€ 6) to get here. The ride from the center of Mirissa should take you around 35 minutes. That is, if you don’t run out of gas half way through and have to walk for a little bit… Yes, that happened to us. 😂
6. Stroll around Mirissa Fisheries Harbor
If you want a break from the beach scene, head over to Mirissa Fisheries Harbor for a change of scenery. You’ll see lots of colorful fishing boats docked there, each with its own unique look. It’s fun to wander around and take in the sights and sounds of the bustling fishing community! Whether you’re snapping photos or just looking for a peaceful stroll, the harbor is a great spot to soak up the maritime vibe of Mirissa. Just relax, sit back, and enjoy some boat-watching. 😉
7. Relax at Secret Beach
Secret Beach, while not so secret anymore, still feels like a secluded island paradise! Tucked away from the main beach in Mirissa, it’s a bit more challenging to reach, which means fewer visitors. We think this is how this place has gotten its name, “Secret Beach”. The way up and down to the beach is quite the ride we must say. Tons of small little roads, all in questionable condition. 😂 Make sure to keep a close eye on your navigation app because you might take a wrong turn. The closer you get to the beach, though, you will notice blue signs mentioning “Secret Beach”. At this point you can turn off navigation and just follow the signs!
If you arrive early at Secret Beach Mirissa, you might even have the whole place to yourself! The beach itself isn’t super big, but really beautiful. It all adds to the vibe! You’ll even find two beach bars here, with sunbeds available. Secret Beach is the perfect place to enjoy a day of sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and unwinding in this gem of a paradise.
Good to know
You don’t have to pay for sunbeds, but you’re expected to order some food from the restaurant associated with the sunbed you choose. We each got a banana split, and that allowed us to use the sunbeds for the entire day! A great deal if you ask us. 😉
8. Day trip to Dickwella
One of the top activities in Mirissa is renting a scooter and checking out the nearby beach towns. Dickwella is a must-visit! You’ll discover awesome beaches like Blue Beach Island and Hiriketiya Beach, plus some delicious dining spots like Garlic Cafe (our absolute favorite!), Locos, and Roti Hut. Don’t forget to swing by Dondra Lighthouse, situated at the southernmost tip of Sri Lanka. And for ultimate relaxation, La Playa is the ideal beach club to unwind all day long! Last but not least: we heard from locals and tourists that Dickwella is a better place to (learn how to) surf compared to Mirissa. We never surfed, so take that how you will! 😳
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