Questioning if Mirissa is value visiting? The reply is YES! Listed here are 9 enjoyable issues to do in Mirissa, and one factor NOT to do! Contains whale watching and sensible ideas!
There are lots of fabulous issues to do in Mirissa Sri Lanka. It is a excellent spot to spend just a few days having fun with the attractive seashores, studying surf, taking within the laid-back vibes, admiring Sri Lanka’s most superb sunsets and – most significantly (offered you’re going in the precise season) – going whale watching.
Not solely that! Mirissa has some excellent lodging choices – making it an ideal vacation spot whether or not you need to pamper your self with a little bit of luxurious, or whether or not you’d moderately save the pennies and wish to keep someplace extra native or extra budget-friendly.
In different phrases, you actually have so as to add Mirissa to your Sri Lanka itinerary!
On this publish, I spotlight all of the unmissable issues to do in Mirissa, and one you actually ought to keep away from doing. I may also share some ideas that can enable you to plan your journey and make it totally fulfilling.
9 Issues To Do In Mirissa Sri Lanka, And One To Keep away from
1) Whale watching
Of all of the issues to do in Mirissa Sri Lanka, that is by far essentially the most memorable one. You’ll be able to’t do it year-round – the whale watching season is from November to April, with the perfect viewings between March and April. And even when you possibly can truly do it, there may be completely no assure that you’ll truly have the ability to see whales.
You’ll discover that there are a number of boats searching for whales, however they typically behave fairly responsibly, maintaining a good way so to not disturb whales. Boat employees often warns passengers concerning the presence of a whale within the distance, and observing the actions of the whale they may say “tail up!” to warn that the whale is about to indicate off!
Through the tour, you additionally get to see dolphins and sea turtles.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION: Whale-watching expeditions value round $50 USD. You have to to haggle a bit to be sure to are usually not being ripped off (or ebook on-line if you’re not a fan of haggling).
Excursions often depart at 7:00 am from the harbor of Mirissa. You’ll be able to anticipate to be out at sea for something between 2 and seven hours, relying on how fortunate you’re in recognizing the whales. Through the tour, you’re often provided some sandwiches, fruit and water.
TIP: Be certain to take some movement illness tablets. Boats don’t often exit at sea if the water is tough, however you by no means know!
2) Spend time on the seaside
Mirissa and its environment are filled with stunning seashores, and it’s fairly apparent that one of many nicest issues to do there may be spending a while baking within the solar after which getting within the water to chill down a bit.
There are numerous seashores you possibly can decide from. The obvious selection is Mirissa seaside, which is definitely very clear and lined with stunning palm timber and the place the water is good and clear. You will discover locations to hire chairs and umbrellas, or just put your towel on the mushy sand. Scattered alongside the seaside you will see a number of locations the place you will get snacks and drinks.
3) Go to Parrot Rock
Parrot Rock is definitely positioned on Mirissa Seashore. You’ll be able to stroll there fairly simply from the seaside by way of the water – however be sure to attempt to take action throughout low tide, because the water could flip wild. The views of the environment from there are actually stunning.
4) Go to Secret Seashore
Secret seaside is probably not that secret. I assume the title is because of the truth that you possibly can’t get there that simply – you have to to rearrange a tuk-tuk to get there and even so, you’ll have to stroll for round 10 minutes to get to the seaside because the highway is to steep for tuk-tuks. It’s a beautiful, small secluded seaside with a shack promoting coconuts and unimaginable sundown views.
5) Discover ways to surf in Weligama
Weligama is one in every of Sri Lanka’s prime places for browsing. The seaside is actually beautiful – lengthy, sandy, lined with palm timber. Waves are fixed, however the perfect ones include the tide so the perfect time to log on is round sundown. You will discover a number of locations alongside the seaside to hire a board for round 400 LKR (round $2 USD) and even many browsing faculties.
6) Go snorkeling or diving
The reef is an ideal place to go snorkeling or diving and there may be a number of stunning marine life you possibly can observe – you’ll even see turtles. You’ll be able to hire snorkel gear instantly at your visitor home, or alternatively be part of a snorkel or diving expedition. Snorkeling excursions are within the vary of $30 USD, whereas diving is a little more costly.
You can too go to Polhena Seashore by your self – it’s stated to be a superb location to identify sea turtles. Be certain to convey snorkeling gear!
7) Admire a superb sundown
Sunsets on this a part of Sri Lanka are out of this world. You’ll be able to determine to easily go for a stroll alongside the seaside (I like Weligama sunsets the perfect!) and even get pleasure from a sundown dinner in one of many many small eating places that pop on Mirissa Seashore at the moment of day.
8) Go on a day journey to Galle
Galle is among the nicest locations to go to in area, and at a simple distance from Mirissa Sri Lanka. Town has many attention-grabbing sights – most of all of them concentrated in Galle Fort. Town, which has a stunning colonial really feel, dates again to Portuguese rule of Sri Lanka (however the Dutch colonizers additionally left their contact) and it may be simply visited in half a day.
You’ll be able to determine to spend just a few days in Galle – but it surely’s a bit costly by Sri Lanka requirements – or you possibly can go there on a day journey.
9) Take within the views from Coconut Island
Yet one more for the views! Round quarter-hour from Mirissa Seashore there’s a coconut farm positioned on a hill, from the place you will get spectacular views – particularly at sundown. You will get stroll there from one of many eating places within the space, or by way of a brief stroll within the water (once more, watch the tide). Do not forget that coconuts could fall from the tree when ripe, so watch your head!
Don’t take images of the stilt fishermen
With all of the issues to do in Mirissa Sri Lanka, additionally comes one which I like to recommend avoiding.
Opposite to what many assume, stilt fishing shouldn’t be an historic custom. This observe dates again to WWII, when fishing spots had been extremely crowded on account of meals shortages, and a few males determined to beat the crowds by attempting to fish instantly int he water, at occasions putting their stilts instantly on the coral reef.
Between the 2004 tsunami and the truth that the monsoons make fishing very seasonal, this “custom” is disappearing and there actually are not any extra stilt fishermen in southern Sri Lanka. Those you see are faux, and it is a huge vacationer entice.
These you’re more likely to see round Mirissa are mere fashions, posing for images in change for a price (often round 500 Sri Lanka Rupees, however it might be extra at sundown, as a result of that’s when the perfect mild is: there are fastened charges relying on the time slot you are attempting to {photograph}), with a correct enterprise organizations that goes from indicators pointing to the areas the place you will see the fishermen, to males truly amassing cash earlier than you will get any shut for images, and even some chasing vacationers who’ve a digital camera on their neck in order that they don’t dare take images with out paying.
Some could say that that is the one type of livelihood for the fashions and the individuals within the group. However is it, actually? Or is it extra more likely to be only a approach to rip off vacationers and make straightforward cash?
It’s not for me to say whether or not it’s proper or flawed to pay for a photograph – I’m not a fan of it, however that’s fully as much as you. My information defined that behind the stilt fishermen posing for images there may be some form of a legal group, with a number of drug and alcohol abuse concerned, and I’d moderately not finance that.
The general expertise of photographing the stilt fishermen is type of bitter – very properly described in this post.
Mirissa, Sri Lanka Sensible Data
The place to remain in Mirissa Sri Lanka
Mirissa has some excellent lodging choices and you’re sure to search out one thing that fits your price range and style – whether or not you keep within the precise metropolis or in its instant outskirts comparable to Weligama.
It is a collection of glorious locations to remain in Mirissa Sri Lanka:
Find out how to get to Mirissa
There’s no airport in Mirissa, however you possibly can simply get there by public transportation from most locations in Southern Sri Lanka.
The best approach to get from the airport to Mirissa is to take a non-public switch. Alternatively, take the bus to Matara and from there a tuk-tuk to Mirissa.
From Galle, you should use one of many many native buses that join Galle to Matara and get off in Mirissa. Though Mirissa is just 36 km away from Galle, the journey can last as long as 2 hours, relying on visitors.
From Ella, you’ll have to take a bus headed to Matara after which a tuk-tuk from there. Alternatively, take a bus to Badulla and get off in Mirissa. The general journey will final round 4 hours.
Find out how to transfer round Mirissa
The easiest way to maneuver round Mirissa Sri Lanka is by tuk-tuk. Bear in mind you at all times should haggle the costs!
When to go to Mirissa, Sri Lanka
Remember that Sri Lanka has two monsoon seasons, and you might find yourself catching some rain even if you happen to do your greatest to keep away from it. Typically, the perfect season to go to Sri Lanka is December to March.
Whale watching season in Mirissa Sri Lanka goes from November to April, with the perfect months being March and April.
Searching for extra Sri Lanka posts? Right here they’re!
