Great Things To Do in Mirissa, Sri Lanka

Mirissa is one of the most popular beach destinations in southern Sri Lanka, and for a good reason! The area has it all, beautiful Sri Lankan beaches, great waves for surfing, and waters teeming with marine life, from turtles to big blue whales. Spend your days enjoying fresh coconuts in your hammock, eating delicious food from beachside restaurants, and zooming around by motorbike. Four days is the perfect amount of time to absorb the laidback culture of this sunny beach town, enjoying all the top things to do in Mirissa.

1. Secret Beach, Mirissa

Secret Beach might not be a secret anymore, but it still feels like a remote island paradise! The small, secluded beach is tucked around the corner from the main beach in Mirissa and is a little harder to get to. Because of this, fewer people visit the beach, and if you get there early enough, you can even have the whole place to yourself!

There are 3 beautiful beaches to choose from on this headland, each with its own unique characteristics, from rockpools to coconut palm trees. Spend the day enjoying the crystal blue water, snorkeling among incredible marine life (make sure to keep your eyes peeled for turtles!), and enjoying every moment of this slice of heaven.

Tip: There’s no entry fee to visit the beaches, but please buy some food, drinks, sunbeds, or snorkels from the locals working here to support the economy.

To get there, search Google Maps for Secret Beach bar and ask a tuk-tuk driver to take you there. You will need to walk 10 minutes from the drop-off point as the road is too steep for tuk-tuks.

2. Parrot Rock

Parrot Rock sits directly In front of Mirissa Beach: a huge red-colored mound that towers over the water. It’s become one of the best things to do in Mirissa as it has beautiful views of the palm tree-lined beaches below.

Because Parrot Rock sits out at sea, you’ll have to research the tides as low tide is the safest time to cross over (and you’ll avoid getting wet). It can be dangerous to cross over during high tide, especially in the monsoon season when the waves will be high.

Once you reach the rock, climb the rickety stairs to the top. From here, you’ll see beautiful views across Mirissa. It’s particularly popular to visit at sunset but can get very crowded. Because of this, we recommend getting up early and climbing at sunrise. At this time, you can see the beautiful early morning pinks and oranges of the Mirissa skyline, and watch the light filter through the green palm trees.

3. Coconut Tree Hill: Top Things to do Mirissa

Coconut Tree Hill is one of the most Instagrammable spots in Sri Lanka and one of the top things to do in Mirissa. The private coconut farm is just a 15-minute walk from Mirissa Beach and offers some of the best views in the area!

Once you reach the top of the hill, the headland stretches out ahead of you, allowing you spectacular views over the ocean through the many leaning palm trees. We recommend going at sunrise to take photos when there are fewer people around.

You can find the location of Coconut Tree Hill on Google Maps. If the weather is good and the tide is low, you can walk along the beach. Be aware that at certain times you may need to walk through water. If not, you can walk along the road that hugs the coastline.

Tip: True to its name, there are coconuts in the trees at Coconut Hill. Be careful, as they can fall, so never stand directly under the trees.