The picture-postcard beach of Mirissa is framed by overhanging palms that scatter their fringed shadows on the soft ocean-washed sand. This is a resort for sun seekers looking for a beautiful tropical beach where visitors are few and far between. To the west of the bay is a rocky headland that separates the beach from the harbour, beside which waves roll onto the shore to offer experienced surfers a chance to shine and body boarders a fun way to pass the hours of the day. Mirissa has a few restaurants and bars lining the bay but is not over-spoilt with facilities despite its beautiful outlook. To the eastern end of the bay, as the road slowly comes into view, there’s an offshore rocky islet around which you can snorkel and swim. From Mirissa Harbour boats head out towards the deep sea as the continental shelf drops sharply off only a few kilometers offshore. Sri Lanka has recently emerged as one of the best places in the world to see blue whales and off the coast of Mirissa (November to April) blue and sperm whales can be spotted on their migratory paths spouting and breaching close to the surface of the sea, often accompanied by hundreds of playful dolphins; an unforgettable sight. From Mirissa visitors can also embark on day cruises, go sailing, sea kayaking or take off on wildlife-spotting journeys upriver.