It was believed that in the 14th century Marco Polo reached the tear-shaped island of Sri Lanka off the southern coast of mainland India. He described it as “undoubtedly the finest island in the world.” Those are big words from a man who has seen much of the known world during his time. At the southern tip of Sri Lanka lies the beach town of Mirissa. The majestic beauty of Mirissa proves that Marco Polo really knew what he was talking about.
Only 200 kilometers above the equator, this place offers a kind of relaxation and beach experience that can only be enjoyed in an island paradise such as this. It is how everyone has always thought paradise would look like. Visitors can just bum around the sandy crescent-shaped beach to watch the most stunning sunrises and sunsets in this part of the globe. The Guest Houses offer a tranquil hideaway that can truly transport visitors to another world. The place itself is cut off from the usual hustle and bustle of the big cities; it is a small beach town and fishing port that is bothered only by the gushing waves of the Indian Ocean.
Mirissa Beach is best enjoyed by doing nothing. It is the perfect place to just sit down, relax, open a cold bottle of beer, and watch Mother Nature at its best. Sunsets are especially beautiful as the sun and the horizon give out different colors every day. Sunset watchers are left wondering what Mother Nature would paint on her sky canvass the next day as the sun hides behind the coconut tree silhouettes on the hill. The beach is flanked by a row of coconut trees, side bars and restaurants offering delicious seafood dishes and cool drinks to top off an unforgettable evening.
Since this tropical beach is very close to the equator, tourists expect the temperature to rise at noon, which is why people typically hit the beach during the early hours in the morning and then retire back to their air-conditioned rooms just before noontime. The beach then gets crowded yet again in the afternoon with sunbathers, swimmers and beach bums, especially as the sun paints its next stunning sunset.
Children love playing along the area’s fine sandy beach and parents let them because the beach disappears smoothly into the blue sea without any dangerous shelving. Visitors may walk as far as 20 meters into the water and it’s still only waist deep. Other beaches in Sri Lanka aren’t as safe as they are characterized by sharp drops and unexpected shelving. The sand and waters are also perfectly safe. About 95% of Mirissa Beach is sandy and rock-free. On good days, the water is completely flat as though children are playing in a huge kiddie pool. At other times the waves come as though the beach is a giant Jacuzzi. The calmest waters are at the center of the beach. Most of the restaurants are also here.
Finally, Dondra Point in Mirissa is known as the best spot for whale watching in the Indian subcontinent. In fact, it is considered by the International Whaling Commission as the best spot in the world to see Blue Whales and Sperm Whales. These amazing marine mammals are often seen in the cool waters off Mirissa, especially in the months of December, January and April.
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