Landmarks in Mirissa
- 01
Coconut Tree Hill
A headland topped with tall coconut palms above the sea, now Mirissa's most photographed viewpoint and an easy sunrise or late-afternoon stop.
- Time needed
- 30 to 60 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon
- Tickets
- Wikipedia notes the site is privately owned, so access arrangements and any charge may change. Ask your guesthouse and respect posted signs.
- 02
Dondra Head Lighthouse
A 49-metre lighthouse at Dondra Head, the southernmost point of Sri Lanka, completed in 1890 and a short drive from Matara.
- Time needed
- 30 to 60 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon
- Tickets
- Access and any ticket were not verified; ask your driver or local authorities before you go.
- 03
Kustaraja Gala, Weligama
A 3-metre bas-relief of a Bodhisattva carved into a hillside at Weligama, thought to date from the 6th to 9th centuries and known locally as the Rock of the Leper King.
- Time needed
- 30 to 45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon
- Tickets
- Entry rules and charges for the carving were not verified; ask locally on the day and dress modestly out of respect.
- 04
Mirissa fishing harbour
The town's working harbour and fish landing, where boats go out for tuna and other fish and where whale-watching trips also depart.
- Time needed
- 30 to 60 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning
- Tickets
- No ticket. Ask before photographing people at work, and keep out of the way of boats and vehicles.
- 05
Parrot Rock
A rock just off Mirissa beach, reached by a short footbridge, that serves as the town's popular sunset viewpoint.
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 hours
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- The hour before sunset
- Tickets
- Free to visit as far as we could verify; check posted signs and any access rules locally.
Experiences in Mirissa
- 06
Mirissa beach
A curved sandy beach with palms, beach restaurants and fishing boats, the town's easy centre of gravity for a swim, a walk and sunset.
- Time needed
- 1 to 3 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon; December to March
- Tickets
- Free to walk. Sunbeds and umbrellas are usually provided by beach restaurants and cafes for customers; check rates before you settle in.
- 07
Mirissa whale watching
A boat trip from Mirissa harbour into the deep water offshore, where blue whales, sperm whales and dolphins are reported between about November and April.
- Time needed
- Half a day, about 3 to 5 hours including boarding
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Early morning, December to March
- Tickets
- Book through a guesthouse or a trusted operator; prices vary by season and boat, so check current rates and what the fee includes. Ask whether a repeat trip is offered if no whales are seen.
- 08
Turtle Bay snorkelling
A sheltered spot near Mirissa for snorkelling, with plenty of fish and occasional turtles, though the coral is badly damaged.
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Calm mornings; December to March
- Tickets
- No entry fee was verified; masks may be hired nearby. Check prices and safety with your guesthouse.
Places of worship in Mirissa
- 09
Dondra Vishnu Devale
A rebuilt Vishnu temple in the old temple port of Dondra, which was a major pilgrimage centre before the Portuguese destroyed its temples in 1587.
- Time needed
- 30 to 45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning; July to August for the festival
- Tickets
- Free to visit. Dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees) and remove footwear and hats; check photography rules on site.
Forts in Mirissa
- 10
Star Fort, Matara
A small six-pointed Dutch fort with a moat and drawbridge, built in the 1760s to guard the river crossing to Matara fort.
- Time needed
- 30 to 45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning
- Tickets
- Wikipedia says the fort is open to the public; no fees or hours were verified, so ask locally.
