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Introducing Mirissa – A Serene Crescent-Shaped Beach

Once a sleepy fisherman’s village, Mirissa has rapidly evolved into one of the most sought-after Sri Lankan destinations. Situated on the southernmost tip of the island, Mirissa draws travellers of all ages to indulge in a tropical paradise, surf empty breaks, admire the fabulous marine life and savour the celebrity-style luxury served in private villas.

Ministry

Mirissa Overview

Mirissa is a splendid coastal town with hassle free pace of living, magnificent scenery and generous locals. Serene, quiet and remote, Mirissa has the power to turn your dreams of a tropical paradise to the reality. Take a fascinating book, slip into a hammock, grab a fresh coconut, and – voila – your dreams came true.

Should you want to indulge in the more active leisure, water sports or vibrant nightlife, there are hundreds of activities available in Mirissa to keep you entertained. Two surf breaks provide a fantastic playground for riders, snorkellers are blessed with magnificent underwater scenery and sports enthusiasts may have all the shoreline for themselves to jog on sunset. Nature lovers are blessed with numerous attractions in and around Mirissa such as whale and dolphin watching or visiting a turtle hatchery.

Several beach bars and cafes serve amazing local cuisine at a very reasonable price. The close proximity to Weligama and other tourist locations enables visitors to take the most of the vibrant nightlife, and return to their quiet and serene Mirissa villa or accommodations for the ultimate relaxation away from the noise.

What We Love

  • The most photogenic beach

  • Stunning hilltop villa resort

  • Cosy beachfront restaurants

  • Fantastic empty surf breaks

  • Whale and dolphin watching

Ministry

Things to See & Do in Mirissa

Shopping

Shopping in Mirissa is a rather low-key, and it’s definitely not the place, where shoppers can satisfy their buying appetite.

The basic necessities can be found at shops lining the main road, while fresh fruits and vegetables are sold in the streets stalls set in the centre of the town.

Fashion shops, accessories stores, gem factories and many other shops are plentiful in Galle and Weligama towns, so for serious shopping, take a tuk-tuk ride to these locations where you will be spoilt for choice of the quality items and beautiful souvenirs to bring back home.

Relaxation

Mirissa offers the relax-on-the-beach type of retreat with numerous water sports and leisure available for active travellers. Soak up the sun, swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean, ride perfect waves or immerse yourself in the fascinating underwater life; you will never get bored in Mirissa.

Another must-do in Mirissa is whale and dolphin watching. There are numerous boat services that organise tours in the early morning hours. Before getting to the site, you will be served a light breakfast, and a bottle of fresh water. The tour itself takes around 4 hours during which you will get some great views of dolphins and massive whales when they come out for air.

After an active day in the tropical paradise, there is no better way to relax than getting an Ayurvedic treatment in the local massage shop. Combining various technics and practices, Ayurvedic body procedures will give you the feeling of the ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation, so do not miss the opportunity to get a bit of pampering and treat yourself to a wonderful body treatment.

Sri Lanka Mirissa The Nine Mirissa
Sri Lanka Mirissa Peacock
Sri Lanka Mirissa Beach
Sri Lanka Mirissa The Nine Mirissa Team Outing
Mirissa Beach Villa Swimming Pool Area | Mirissa, Sri Lanka
Ministry

Eating & Drinking in Mirissa

Restaurants

If you are a seafood lover, there is no better place to spend a holiday than Mirissa. After two weeks of fishing near Maldives, fishermen boats that moor at the city’s harbour burst with all types of edible and fresh seafood.

Once you get tired of the freshest snappers, lobsters and jumbo prawns, local kottu roti might become a great alternative to your seafood diet. Opt the venue with the open kitchen so you can watch the fascinating process of preparing this typical local dish.

For the utterly romantic dining under the stars head to one of the numerous beachfront restaurants, which serve simple, yet, savoury local and international dishes. Beautiful scenery, friendly atmosphere and great food will make your dining experience unforgettable.

Nightlife

Just as with dining, most of the bars are dotted along the beach. Laidback, relaxed and peaceful atmosphere stand out Mirissa establishments among other locations, making them excellent to enjoy each others company, chat and chill out.

Take a seat, grab refreshing mojito and relish in the view of the setting sun over the Indian Ocean. A couple of beach bars invite local bands to play live music, so you can listen to your favourite songs while sipping an ice cold beer.

For a more vibrant evening take a ride to Galle or Unawatuna cities that features hectic bars, beach clubs and trendy lounges, where you can party, dance and savour various exotic cocktails.

Mirissa Beach Villa Dining Area | Mirissa, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Mirissa The Nine Mirissa Lunch
Sri Lanka Mirissa The Nine Mirissa Food
Mirissa Beach Villa Dining Table | Mirissa, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Mirissa The Nine Mirissa Pineapple Pie
Ministry

Mirissa Neighbourhoods

Situated towards the south of Colombo International Airport (a.k.a Bandaranaike International Airport) in the southernmost tip of Sri Lanka, Mirissa is an ideal base to take in all sights of the southern part of the island and indulge in the tranquil and serene ambience.

Mirissa & Surrounds

Galle

The southwest tip of the island is home to the UNESCO protected Galle Fort dating back to the 16th century.

GALLE GUIDE

Koggala

A relaxed coastal town home to a beautiful beach and a tranquil lake surrounded by lush nature.

KOGGALA GUIDE

Tangalle

One of the last towns on the coast before the great expanse of the national parks, known for its paradise beaches.

TANGALLE GUIDE
Ministry

Mirissa Villas

Mirissa houses one stunning Pointe Sud Ministry Approved villa. Nestled on the clifftop, the villa offers breathtaking panoramic views over to the Indian Ocean, serene and quiet ambience and impeccable service to make your holiday truly remarkable. Accommodating up to 10 guests, this 5-bedroom fabulous villa is also an affordable property for big families and larger groups.

Pointe Sud also has dedicated staff including butler, chef, 24-hour security personnel, drivers and many other services you won’t find in a hotel. This is why we say “Spend just one night in a villa and you’ll never stay in a hotel again.”

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    Sale!

    THE BEACH HOUSE MIRISSA

    Mirissa, Sri Lanka – 6 Bedrooms

    The Beach House Mirissa is a modern beach house with enviable access to a stunning sandy beach in Sri Lanka.

    US $1,609
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    The Nine Mirissa Building Area | Mirissa, Sri LankaThe Nine Mirissa Bedroom with Ocean Views | Mirissa, Sri Lanka

    THE NINE MIRISSA

    Mirissa, Sri Lanka – 7 Bedrooms

    The Nine Mirissa is a staggering villa with seven bedrooms built over nine levels on Sri Lanka’s scenic coastline.

    US $1,380
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    Ubuntu Beach Villas Sun Beds | Mirissa, Sri LankaUbuntu Beach Villas Pool Side Dining | Mirissa, Sri Lanka

    UBUNTU BEACH VILLAS

    Mirissa, Sri Lanka – 8 Bedrooms

    Ubuntu Beach Villas merges gracefully with the beach immediately in front of the pool area, creating a picturesque paradise.

    US $2,090
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    Pointe Sud Gardens and Pool View from Top | Mirissa, Sri LankaSri Lanka Pointesud 80

    POINTE SUD

    Mirissa, Sri Lanka – 5 Bedrooms

    Pointe Sud sits on a cliff on the southern shores of Sri Lanka boasting unparalleled celebrity-style luxury with epic infinity pool and seaside views.

    US $759
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    Siri Wedamadura Veranda | Mirissa, Sri LankaSiri Wedamadura Pool Side Seating Area | Mirissa, Sri Lanka

    SIRI WEDAMADURA

    Mirissa, Sri Lanka – 4 Bedrooms

    Siri Wedamadura is a white colonial villa surrounded by lush tropical gardens, a hop and a skip from stunning Mirissa Beach.

    US $550
Ministry

Practical Information

Getting There

Although it is possible to get to Mirissa, Sri Lanka over land or water, the best way is to fly.

AIRPORT TRANSFER

It can take anywhere between 2,5 hours to 3 hours to reach Mirissa from Colombo International Airport depending on traffic. Ministry of Villas can arrange a chauffeur to greet you upon arrival and escort you to your villa.

AIRPORT TAXI

Alternatively, there is a taxi desk at the arrival level which arranges one-way fares at a fixed-price. It is recommended to negotiate about the price before getting into the car, as metered taxis do not travel long distances from Colombo.

HIRED MINIVANS

If you are travelling in a larger group, hired minivan is the best option to reach Mirissa. The service is available through the travel agencies in the Colombo airport at the arrival level.

TRAIN

Getting to Mirissa by train might be significantly faster than the public bus. The train departs from Colombo Fort, and it can take between 2,5 hours and 3,5 hours to arrive in Weligama, which is 7 km away from Mirissa. From Weligama, you can take a public bus or tuk-tuk, which provides a more comfortable travel.

BUS

Public buses are the least comfortable, yet, the cheapest way to travel to Mirissa. Take a bus in the direction of Tangalle or Matara, and ask to get out in Mirissa.The buses depart according to scheduled time, yet, the trip can take from 3,5 hours to 5 hours to reach Mirissa as this transportation mode is very slow.

Getting Around

There are plenty of options, so we’ve ranked them according to our recommendations for first-time travellers:

PRIVATE CAR

Ministry of Villas can arrange a private car and chauffeur for you. Depending on which villa you are staying in, the cost for the private car and chauffeur can vary, so it’s recommended to contact our Ministry of Villas team to get the complete information about the private transfers.

WALKING

Due to the compact size of Mirissa, the town can be easily covered on foot. In fact, it’s the best way to explore the area at your own pace and indulge in the quiet long strolls along the beach or streets.

TUK-TUK

If you are planning to travel further afield, tuk-tuk is a convenient and very affordable way to explore the nearby locations. You can simply flag one down the street, but before getting into tuk-tuk always negotiate the price.

RENTAL SCOOTER

If you prefer moving around on two wheels, there is no shortage of motorbike rental shops in Mirissa. Though, the traffic is very chaotic, so a certain level of experience is required. Moreover, you should have an international driver license on your person at all times, and for your safety always wear a helmet.

RENTAL BICYCLE

Sports enthusiasts will appreciate an eco-friendly way to move around the city and beyond by bicycle. Though, be careful when travelling along the beachfront paths as there could be areas with deep sand.

Ministry

Mirissa Travelogue