Here are some activity suggestions. We have listed a few websites with more details, but please note that we cannot be responsible for the site content or services provided.
Things to do
Out & About
Sri Lanka has an astonishingly lush and diverse natural environment. It’s a fabulous destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. You don’t have to stray far from the towns and main roads to find quiet backroads meandering through paddy fields and forest, and past lakes of lilies. It’s not uncommon to see painted storks, kingfishers, ibis, peacocks, pelicans, parakeets, monitor lizards, monkeys, water buffaloes, mongoose, and lots of palm squirrels.
Sea, Sand & Surf
If you want a change to the beach at your doorstep here are some nearby suggestions
Hiriketiya (7km) is a pretty horseshoe shaped bay now famous for its surfing. You can hire a board there and take lessons. It’s fun for body boarding too. There are lots of cafes and restaurants in season where you can get Sri Lankan roti, quesadillas and woodfired pizza
Talalla (13km) and Mawella (14km) are both long, wide, sweeping bays, quieter than Hiriketiya, lovely for beach walks and swimmable in season. Both have cafes and bars, though fewer than Hiriketiya. There is a resort offering yoga sessions at Talalla.
Tangalle (20km) is a more established beach destination with numerous beach cafes and bars.
There are companies operating Deep Sea Fishing Tours from Mirissa and Tangalle from the end of October to April. Checkout Mirissa Deep Fishing Tours on Facebook and Tangalle Fishing & Snorkelling Tour
The Scuba Diving season on the southern coast runs from mid-October to the end of April. For dive centers you can check out http://www.divesrilanka.com and Mirissa-Diving and Dickwella-Diving
Safaris
Whale and Dolphin watching safaris are operated by several outfits from Mirissa Harbour (37km). This is a seasonal activity and you can contact the tour operators to check conditions.
Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary (43km) and Bundala National Park (75km) are both coastal wetlands and fabulous for birds. Bundala also has a small population of wild elephants. Visit www.kalametiyabirds.lk
Sightseeing
Explore the architecture, history, cafes and shops of Galle Fort (70km). Get there via the coast road or the Expressway. If you take the coast road you will pass through the large, picturesque Weligama Bay with its fishing fleet of boats, and Mirissa, a popular beach resort.
Combine a day trip to Galle with a visit to the Handunugoda Tea Estate (53km) for a tour of their tea plantation and factory. Or stop off at Wijaya Beach (71km) just south of Galle. Here a reef creates a protected lagoon in season where you can snorkel and quite likely see a turtle.
Dondra Head (20km) is the most southern point of Sri Lanka and has Sri Lanka’s tallest lighthouse, which is still in use.
Wewurukannala Temple at Dickwella (7km) has the tallest sitting Buddha statue in Sri Lanka as well as murals and statues. View
Mulgirigala (28km) is an ancient Buddhist rock cave temple, smaller but reminiscent of Dambulla. There are 533 steps to the summit with terraces along the way where you can see very old wall murals. You will also likely come across rock climbing monkeys and are treated to a view at the top. View
