My 6 TOP Beaches in Mirissa Sri Lanka + Tips & Tricks on How to Visit Them (2025)

I have to admit, Mirissa is not the best spot in Sri Lanka for a beach vacation. Does that surprise you? I feel like that’s something people just don’t mention about most of these beach towns on the south coast—Ahangama, Weligama, and yes, Mirissa. They don’t exactly have those wide, white-sand beaches that stretch on forever.

The main issue is the tides. At high tide, there’s basically no beach left—the water comes all the way up, leaving you with just a sliver of sand or sometimes nothing at all. (That’s why I love Hiriketiya Beach so much—this doesn’t happen there nearly as much.)

I definitely had a bit of an issue with this the first time I arrived in Sri Lanka. I just had the wrong expectations. But of course, that didn’t stop me from going on a bit of a mission to find the best beaches in Mirissa anyway.

So in this article, I want to share my personal experience spending quite a bit of time here, trying to figure out which beaches in Mirissa are actually worth going to. My intention is that by the end, you’ll know exactly where to head for a sunny beach day in Mirissa and where you can actually put your towel down without the ocean claiming it an hour later.

Secret Beach Mirissa // My Number One Beach in Mirissa

Secret Beach definitely doesn’t live up to its name—at least not when it comes to how secret it is. It’s probably the most popular beach in Mirissa these days… but honestly, I still think it’s the best one.

To get to Secret Beach, just plug it into Google Maps. It’s technically still in Mirissa, but you’ll either want your own scooter or a tuk-tuk to get there—not because it’s far, but because the road goes up a ridiculously steep hill. When Carae and I went, our scooter couldn’t even make it up with both of us on it. She ended up walking while I had to ride up solo. Just something to keep in mind.

The beach itself is secluded and away from the main road, and considering how you get there, I get where the name Secret Beach came from. But these days, everyone knows about it. Once you’re down there, there’s a little food shack selling coconuts, beers, and some warm meals too. They’ve got sunbeds you can use for free as long as you buy something—which I was going to do anyway, so it worked out perfectly.

I’d recommend coming early if you can. It gets busy later in the day, and the café sometimes cranks up the music, which kills the chill vibe a bit. But the first time we came, it was low season, super quiet, and just so peaceful. That’s why this is still my top beach in Mirissa.

Mirissa Beach Sri Lanka

Mirissa Beach is probably the most well-known beach in the area—it’s the biggest one and has the famous Parrot Rock at one end. And honestly, I really like it. It’s a long stretch of sand with turquoise water and a great vibe overall. Super easy to just hang out here for a while.

That said, it’s also the main tourist beach in Mirissa, so expect a bunch of restaurants and cafés lining the shore, sunbeds for rent (sometimes as much as $40 for two in high season—which is kind of wild for Sri Lanka), and a good amount of people trying to sell you stuff. Some cafés also play loud music, so it can get a bit hectic depending on the time of day.

When I came here, I usually went early in the morning—maybe grabbed breakfast nearby and then headed to the beach before it got crowded. Sunset here is also gorgeous, but keep the tides in mind—the beach practically disappears at high tide.

Turtle Beach (Turtle Bay Mirissa) // Best Beach to See Turtles

One of the best things to do in Mirissa!

Turtle Bay, despite the mixed Google reviews, is actually a super cool little beach. It’s really small and sits right next to Mirissa Beach, but I’ve been a couple of times and genuinely loved it.

It’s called Turtle Bay for a reason—there are local turtles that hang around the area, and if you go snorkeling, you’ll almost definitely spot a few. Last time I went, I brought my own snorkel gear (you can also rent it there), and it only took me a few minutes to see some turtles cruising around underwater.

After that, I rented a sunbed, grabbed a coconut, and just hung out there for the rest of the morning. Such a chill spot.

Just a heads-up: sunbeds aren’t free here—they’ll charge you around 1000 LKR (about $3 USD). Also, the season matters a lot. If you’re visiting during monsoon or rainy season, visibility under water drops and you might not see anything at all.

Coconut Tree Hill Beach

I honestly didn’t even know Coconut Hill Beach existed until my most recent visit. It’s one of those hidden little spots that only really works at low tide—otherwise, there’s barely any beach left.

This beach is almost never busy with tourists, apart from a few people who come through on snorkeling trips. It’s not really tagged properly on Google Maps, and you can’t see it from the road either, which is probably why it stays so quiet.

The easiest way to get there for me was heading to Sunset Bar (which is decent for a drink, but not so much for food). Walk straight through the bar, let them know you’re heading to the beach, and then stroll along the shoreline for a bit. You’ll end up at this lovely little patch of sand that’s perfect for a chill beach day—way more peaceful than Mirissa Beach.

Madiha Beach // Best Beach for Whale Watching

I love heading to Madiha Beach when I’m looking for something actually quiet. This one’s barely ever crowded, but it is a little outside of Mirissa town, so you’ll need a scooter or a tuk-tuk to get there.

To find the beach, just look for a small sign along the main road pointing down a dirt path—walk that, and you’ll hit the shore. We brought our snorkel gear again because we’d heard about the turtles here, and yep, we saw some.

If you’re around during nesting season (April–May), female turtles actually come to lay their eggs here. It’s such a cool thing to witness—just make sure to keep your distance and not disturb them.

Polhena Beach

Polhena Beach is one of the best spots in the area, and it’s pretty close to Matara, so you’ll need a scooter or tuk tuk to get there. It’s a wide, sandy beach with loads of space to relax. When I visited, the water was crystal clear, and we even saw a bunch of sea turtles—super cool!

This isn’t a super touristy beach, so you won’t find sunbeds lining the shore, but there are a few shops selling food, floaties, and other beach stuff. It’s mostly a local spot, with lots of families coming here to hang out.

I went twice—once on a Sunday, then again on a Wednesday morning. The Sunday visit was packed with families, so it felt a little crowded. If you’re after a quieter experience, I’d recommend coming early in the morning during the week. You’ll have a much more peaceful experience.

FAQs About My Top Beaches in Mirissa

Are there beaches in Mirissa?

Yes, definitely! Mirissa is all about the beach vibes, with a few beautiful spots to chill and enjoy the sun.

Are Mirissa beaches good?

They’re not bad! Not the biggest, but perfect for a relaxing day with clear water, turtles, and a laid-back atmosphere.

Where is the best beach in Sri Lanka?

That’s tough to say, but if you’re looking for a great beach to spend the day, I would recommend Secret Beach in Mirissa.

What is the best beach town in Sri Lanka?

It really depends on what you’re after. If you want great nightlife, go for Mirissa. If you’re looking to learn surfing, Weligama’s the spot. For a more relaxed vibe, Hiriketiya’s your best bet. And if you’re after awesome bars and restaurants, head to Ahangama.

Final Thoughts in the Best Mirissa Beaches

You’ve got to take the beaches on Sri Lanka’s south coast for what they are. They’re not the biggest or most stunning in the world, but they definitely get the job done, especially if you’re just looking to relax for a couple of hours—chill on the beach with a cold coconut, do some snorkeling, maybe spot a few turtles. What more could you want?

Mirissa definitely has the best beaches compared to Ahangama and Weligama, but if you’re after bigger, quieter beaches, head towards Matara, Hiriketiya, and Tangalle.

I hope this little guide gets you pumped for your next trip to Sri Lanka and helps you enjoy the beaches in Mirissa even more!

Check Out My Top Sri Lanka Guides

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