Mirissa and the South Coast

The south coast of Sri Lanka is a string of beautiful, laid-back beaches, and Mirissa is among its finest, a crescent of golden sand fringed with palms and lapped by turquoise water. A relaxed hub of surf, seafood and sunset cocktails, it is also one of the best places in the world to see blue whales, the largest animals ever to have lived, on boat trips offshore, alongside sperm whales and dolphins, in the deep waters just off the coast.

What you actually see

• The beaches - the golden palm-fringed sands of Mirissa and the south.
• The blue whales - the boat trips to see the giants offshore.
• The surf and coconut hill - the surf breaks and the famous palm-tree hill.
• The stilt fishermen - the traditional stilt fishing of the coast.

When to go

November to April, the dry season on the south coast, for the best beach weather and calmest seas; the blue-whale watching season runs roughly November to April, peaking in the early months of the year.

Honest expectations

The whale-watching boats can get crowded and some operators crowd or chase the whales, so choose a responsible one, and be prepared for seasickness on the open water. Sightings, though good in season, are never guaranteed. The famous stilt fishermen are now often posing for tips rather than genuinely fishing. The beaches are lovely but increasingly developed.

Nearby

Galle Fort, the surf town of Weligama and the Yala safari are along the south coast.