Find out why Mirissa Beach turned out to be not the paradise beach we expected, but what 2 things we especially enjoyed here | Sri Lanka Travel Guide
When planning a trip to Sri Lanka, no doubt you have searched something like "Best Beaches in Sri Lanka" and you probably saw Mirissa beach in those lists. The pictures all show beautiful beach scenes, the iconic parrot rock, and the insta-famous Coconut Tree Hill, not to mention restaurants and places to grab a chilled beer along the beach.
Well... as much as I hate to break it to you... in 2018, this is what we saw:
This picture is taken from the top of Parrot Rock in Mirissa, Sri Lanka. It's the angle no one is showing you (or at least very few people) in recent blog posts about Mirissa Beach Sri Lanka. It's all about timing. The beach is riddled with debris from a demolition that took place earlier in 2018.
Apparently a group of Dutch tourists were terribly assaulted at Water Creatures Beach Guest Restaurant & Surf Bar in April 2018 and this prompted the Coast Conservation Department (CCD) to demolish 21 unauthorized structures along Mirissa Beach in May 2018. A number of months later there is still debris from that demolition lining the beach which is just sad. Hopefully this situation has improved now that the tourist season in Sri Lanka's Mirissa Beach should be picking up and I have heard that some beach restaurants have opened. Two Things We Enjoyed At Mirissa Beach, Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka Travel Guide1. Climbing Parrot Rock & The Views From Parrot Rock
View From The Bottom Of Parrot Rock | Mirissa Beach, Sri Lanka Travel Guide
Mirissa Beach is known for this particular rock that you can 'climb'. There is a little sandy bridge leading out to the rock and it will require you to get wet. Be safe and don't try to get out to the rock if the waters are fierce. But in lower tides you can get just a bit wet and make it to the rock. The ascent to the top of Parrot Rock is a little sketchy these days after the initial stairs, so some "hand rails" and structural stability have been added via some pieces of wood. Most people fly up with no inhibitions, but I was a little nervous and it took me a few minutes to get up the gumption to do it. I also watched people at the top of the rock who had children (how did they do that!?) and some elderly tourists who had made it and felt inspired to go for it. I just take my time and make sure of my footing before I make a move. That applies to walking in general, not just climbing Parrot Rock. ? ? If I can do it, you can do it!
Looking Down On The Climbing Support Structure Added On To Parrot Rock | Mirissa Beach, Sri Lanka Travel Guide
As you can see, the sweeping view of both sides of Mirissa Beach is pretty neat from the top of Parrot Rock. When you get off the initial structure, there is a little bench you can sit on and look out at the ocean.
Sweeping Panoramic View of Mirissa Beach From The Top Of Parrot Rock | Mirissa Beach, Sri Lanka Travel Guide
You can also go up a bit higher on the rock and then you can descend the other side of the rock and explore. I was surprised to find this beautiful flower on the other side!
A Ray of Sun Highlights A Blooming Flower Atop Parrot Rock | Mirissa Beach, Sri Lanka Travel Guide
Climbing far enough down and around the back side of Parrot Rock, you can see a little sandy patch and a lot of rocks leading to traditional Sri Lankan Fisherman Stilts. Stilt fishing is a fishing method native to Southern Sri Lanka (like Mirissa Beach) and the fisherman sit atop these stilts as they cast their lines and wait for a bite. Can you imagine? I would fall off in an instant. (If I even made it out to the stilts. ?)
Traditional Fisherman Stilts of Mirissa | Mirissa Beach, Sri Lanka Travel Guide
Powered by Creative Market 2. Roti Shops of Mirissa Beach | Sri Lanka Travel Guide
We walked to 2 Roti Shops in Mirissa Beach.
The first is called Roti Shop Mirissa (Udupila Road, Mirissa 81740, Sri Lanka +99 77 836 1109) Find their website here Find them on Trip Advisor here
The second is called Dewmini Roti Shop
(Udupila Road, Footpath to the Beach, Mirissa 81740, Sri Lanka +94 71 516 2604) Find their website here Find them on TripAdvisor here
Don't be afraid of the dark alley leading to Dewmini Roti Shop! (It gets dark so early here)
Don't Fear The Dark Alley Leading To Dewmini Roti Shop | Mirissa Beach, Sri Lanka Travel Guide
An Avocado-topped Roti At Dewmini Roti Shop | Mirissa Beach, Sri Lanka Travel Guide
Would I Go Back To Mirissa Beach? | Sri Lanka Travel Guide
If I ever have the opportunity to return to Sri Lanka (would do it in a heartbeat people!) I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to be in Mirissa, nor would I stay for a long time there unless there were some changes. I just wasn't that impressed, personally. That being said, I would pop over to Mirissa for a day trip, hang out on Parrot Rock for "old time's sake", eat some Rotis, and be perfectly content with that day. :)
Where To Stay:
We stayed at the Sea Goggle Resort in Mirissa. Simple accommodation, good breakfast, right on the beach, but a quiet end of Mirissa Beach. Nothing moves quickly here. Review to come!
Other places to stay in Mirissa Beach, Sri Lanka.
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