There is a place in Sri Lanka that is often mentioned in conversations with other travellers, that place is Mirissa where the sea is turquoise blue, the beaches golden and the sunsets are breathtakingly gorgeous

Mirissa is a small fishing village on the south-western coast of the island 36km south of Galle fort on the picturesque A2 coastal highway. Although the place has become a magnet for tourists in recent times there are no large resort hotels that cater to package tourists, so there is a certain chilled vibe about the place. It's like going back in time to an era when mass tourism was unheard of on the island.

Between the coastal highway and the sandy beach, there are small hotels, modest guest houses and rustic hostels that provide accommodation for independent travellers, surfers and backpackers of all ages. Along the crescent shaped beach there are numerous bars, clubs and simple restaurants where cocktails and food are available at surprisingly low prices.

There are no Michelin star restaurants or Cordon Bleu Chefs in town but beach side restaurants are plenty, serving food that is simple and delicious. The best food in Mirissa has to be seafood.

Mirissa is home to one of the biggest fishing harbours on the island, so freshly caught seafood such as giant prawns, squid, crab, red snapper, tuna and more are available in abundance. Many restaurants put the catch of the day on display, so customers can select what they want to eat and let the restaurant cook it for them just the way they like it.

Travellers love Mirissa not for its sophistication but for its simplicity. It is the type of exotic destination where one can turn on, tune in and drop out from the day to day realities of the modern world.

WHALE WATCHING

In recent times Sri Lanka has evolved into one of the world's leading destinations for whale watching. With the influx of tourists, Mirissa has developed into Sri Lanka’s leading location for spotting the biggest marine animals in the world.

Sri Lanka is located on one of the most important cetacean migratory routes on earth. This means the possibilities of spotting Blue Whales, Sperm Whales, Humpback Whales and Spinner Dolphins in Sri Lankan territorial waters are very high. In the period between December and April, the southern coast of Sri Lanka becomes the best place in the world for whale watching as sightings are usually reported on a daily basis.

Whale watching tours at Mirissa usually start in the morning and can last up to 4 hours. There are a number of tour operators running whale watching expeditions and the charges vary according to the type of service they provide. Some of them even promise that if they fail to show visitors whales on the first day they will take them again the following day for free.

SURFING

The best time to go surfing on the south-western coast is the morning when the ocean is Tiffany blue and the waves are just right. One can surf a low power right-hander over reef break near the rocks or a left-hander near the harbour with a good swell of up to 6 feet.

The surfing conditions at Mirissa are also ideal for beginners and intermediates to build up their confidence and perfect their technique. There are surf schools on the beach, the cost of lessons and board rentals are incredibly affordable making Mirissa one of the best destinations in the world to learn the cool art of surfing.

CHILLAXING

One of the most popular activities among visitors to Mirissa is to do nothing at all. No matter how old or young you may be, It is a destination to relax and watch the sunsets. Sri Lankan sunsets are among the most beautiful in the world; supremely vibrant and somehow uniquely different from any other place on earth.

The food is delicious, the drinks are fabulous and the views are without a doubt among the finest on the island. Mirissa is the ideal tropical escape to get away from it all, chillax, enjoy life and let one's cares just fade away.