Some reasons why you'll fall in love with Mirissa – A beach paradise

The beaches at Mirissa are neat and tidy. They aren't cluttered with garbage or too many restaurants and bars, and the water has a gorgeous bluish-green colour to it. A line of palm trees provide shade from the sun and beach chairs, towels and cocktails can be found very easily. There aren't any gawkers or vendors selling their merchandise. It's very isolated, making it a good place to spend some quality time catching up on your summer reading or sunbathing without being disturbed. The beaches in Mirissa make you realize that less is more when it comes to beaches.

Surfing is a popular water sport that most tourist who visit Mirissa engage in. Visitors can rent a surfboard for as low as $2 dollars and catch some waves.

Snorkelling is also quite popular in Mirissa. The reef nearby is a great place to see the sea life and the underwater flora and fauna. You can rent snorkelling equipment at most hotels in Mirissa. Sri Lanka has lots to offer if you're a water sports lover!

Mirissa is known across the world as one of the best places for whale watching and there have been many documentaries shot here. This is one of the main reasons for people to visit this beautiful coastal city. Visitors can see Sperm whales, Blue whales and dolphins and even flying fish if they're really lucky.

While December-April is the best time to go whale watching, the cost per person is around $10 - $40. Visitors can book a whale watching expedition through a tour guide or through hotels and resorts the likes of Esprit d'ici Hotel.

Similar to Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa, the beach strip of Mirissa comes alive with lights and loud music once the sun sets. Bars with happy hour deals on cocktails can be easily spotted by the light beams that shoot up to the sky. Keep your eyes peeled to the sky at 9.30pm, you'll see the night sky light up with a firework show!

Even though it's not as busy as Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa, the nightlife in Mirissa feels safe and visitors don't have to worry about going for a night stroll on the beach.

Scooters are the easiest way to navigate around Sri Lanka and visiting some of the beaches around Mirissa is an interesting way to pass a few days.

Weligama beach, which is only 10 minutes away from Mirissa might look like a sleepy town but is a surfer's paradise. You can even take lessons on how to surf from one of the many surf schools scattered across the Weligama beach.

Koggala, which is approximately 35 minutes from Mirissa is a great place to see a traditional form of Sri Lankan fishing – Stilt fishing. Fisherman will perch on a stilt mounted on shallow water and patiently wait to catch their prize.

Located15 minutes away from the Mirissa beach by foot, the coconut tree spot is the small hill with a coconut farm that provides a great place to watch the sunset.