I wanted to share my experiences in the coastal towns and cities I visited while volunteering in Mirissa. Coastal towns were different from the Hill Country (Ella, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, and Sigiriya): it was warmer, more crowded with travelers and had different vibe-- beach vibe. I enjoyed my time in different regions throughout Sri Lanka. This post will all about places I visited while I was in the south coast.
Mirissa- Great for Whale Watching and Beach Days
1) Parrot Rock
It's a little island by Mirissa Beach where you can climb when the tide is low. Perfect for catching sunrise or sunset and you will see crabs on the rock. It's also great to chill and have beach days. I organized a social event as a hostel volunteer for hostel guests to hang out here and it was amazing!
2) Coconut Tree Hill
This place is also popular for catching sunrise or sunset. It was pretty empty when I was there in the mid-morning, but the view with palm trees was great. If anyone is into yoga, there is a yoga shala right by the beach and they offer drop-in sessions!
3) Sri Lanka Coast Guard Turtle Nest Nursery
Sri Lanka Coast Guard Turtle Nest Nursery is an ongoing baby turtle conservation project by the Sri Lanka Coast Guard. I was fortunate to be able to watch the baby sea turtle release. My heart exploded when I saw little turtles find their way home to the ocean! It was a once-in-a-lifetime activity!
Weligama- Surfer's Paradise
Weligama is a surfer's town located just 15 minutes away from Mirissa Main Street (by bus) and can be reached easily at any time of the day as buses run very frequently. Mirissa has a beach but is not a great place to surf, so most people surf in Weligama, Hikkaduwa, Hiriketiya, or Ahangama (or even in Arugam Bay) to enjoy the waves. One of the things I loved about being in Mirissa was going on day surf trips to Weligama.
As a beginner surfer (if you've been following my IG, I learned how to surf for the first time in Bali in the summer of 2024), Weligama was a perfect place for me. The waves were not big, and it was VERY beginner-friendly. Weligama has many surf schools, yoga classes, and icebath options.
Galle- Perfect for History Lovers
I did a day trip to Galle from Mirissa on my day off from volunteering as a yoga teacher. It was nice. I took the bus from Mirissa Main Street and it only took me 1.5 hours one-way. Galle Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has many cute shops. The town had both European and South Asian vibes, which made it unique.
I would recommend exploring the southern part of Sri Lanka! From beach days to surfing, there is a wide range of activities to do for everyone! I would love to come back again in the future to surf and enjoy the beaches! I will miss the warm weather so much!
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