Joanna James
Set on the south coast of Sri Lanka, the small beach town of Mirissa welcomes you to wallow in some of the best of the island nation's coastal experiences. Soak up all that is charming about this part of the world and treat yourself to a fantastic beach getaway.
Secret Beach keeps losing its merits to its utterly appealing moniker, as tourism in Mirissa continues to flourish, and more and more people become aware of the jaw-dropping beautiful shores, making it not much of a "secret", to be fair. Nevertheless, people on these pristine sands are far fewer than those on Mirissa Beach, the town's main stretch of beach. It's not the easiest place to get to, which should be no surprise given it's the "Secret" Beach, but the journey is well worth it as you are welcomed to a slice of secluded picture-postcard shores, allowing you to a savour a dose of sun, sand and sea in untroubled tranquillity.
Thrill-seeking souls vacationing on the south coast of the teardrop island are in for a treat, an adrenaline-pumping treat, as the shores on this part of the island nation, including the palm-fringed sands cutting through Mirissa, are all about treating you to a fan-freaking-tastic water sports experience. From catching a wave or two in the turquoise waters to whizzing on a wicked jet ski and scuba diving deep into the tropical blue to uncover fascinating wonders of the world underwater, there's a whole host to engage in, or dare I say, dive into.
As the sun goes down and the skies begin to take a profusion of yellowish oranges, hop aboard a boat and set sail into wide-open seas on a sunset whale-watching cruise. Keep your eyes peeled and revel in the excitement of spotting these majestic creatures of the sea. If it is your lucky day, it won't take long for your eye to catch a blow of mist into the air through their giant blowhole.
Set out on a fun-filled day trip by making the 38-kilometre drive to Galle, the home to the widely popular tourist attraction, the charming Galle Fort. Dating all the way back to 1588, Galle Fort in the Bay of Galle has survived the Portuguese, Dutch and British invasions and is absolutely brimming with colonial charm. Stroll through the old-world quarter and admire the tranquil sunset from the Galle Fort wall, the perfect end to a perfect day. Retreat back to a luxury villa in Mirissa, offered by the likes of Ubuntu Beach Villas, and catch some sleep and more.
The Indian Ocean island nation of Sri Lanka is home to a rather surprising 22 national parks—sanctuaries for a fascinating variety of tropical fauna—and it would be a pity not to make the 2-hour drive to Udawalawe national park on your vacay in Mirissa. Hop on a mighty safari jeep and venture into the sprawling park to get up close and personal with your favourite wildlife.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
