List of Things to do When in Mirissa – Unearthing Sri Lanka's Southern Treasures

Before the fad of whale watching emerged into the tourism sector, Mirissa was a largely unheard of town nestled in Southern Sri Lanka. The surrounding ocean, however, has always been home to a diverse population of whales and dolphins which eventually brought the city the popularity it currently enjoys. Thousands of people come to Mirissa to enjoy a little bit of whale watching off the coast. Whale watching boat trips are available in abundance and in almost every session you are bound to spot a whale or two in the midst of what is known as cresting or lobtailing. However to stay safe in Mirissa make sure you do your homework and read up on the tour operators. As a rule of thumb stick to the known companies and those that have been positively reviewed; you are bound to have a better experience. On your whale watching expedition expect to see lots of dolphins putting on a show for you. Common varieties you are likely to come across includes Spinner, Striped, Bottlenose and Spotted dolphins.

The beaches of Mirissa are part of the Southern beaches of Sri Lanka and their popularity is a known fact among all those touring this island. Picture perfect with golden sands, the area's beaches are home to a number of reputed Mirissa hotels. There is plenty one can experience here and regardless of what type of coastal fun you are after there is something for all in Mirissa. Among the many names, you would find adorning the coast is Sri Sharavi Beach Villas & Spa that is set upon yet another virgin beach of the region. Owing to the unspoiled nature of Mirissa's beaches - as opposed to many other beaches in Southern Sri Lanka, this is a preferred strip of coast among those looking for privacy and quiet surroundings.

Mirissa itself is not a large city. There are however several neighbouring cities that serve perfectly well suited for sightseeing. Weligama, for instance, is a small fishing village located just 4 kilometres from Mirissa. Weligama is an ideal place to witness traditional fishermen at work. Then there is Galle. Galle, however, is roughly 18 kilometres from Mirissa and is arguably the most sought out city in all of Southern Sri Lanka. In a nutshell, Galle is that one city that has it all; its many museums and unique infrastructure are proof of this city's significance in history. Walk along the Galle Fort during dusk and absorb the colonial ambience in the air. Thanks to its buildings flaunting baroque architecture and neatly paved narrow lanes, walking through the Galle Fort feels like journeying back in time. For more historic sightseeing you can also visit Matara which is slightly further down along the coast.