Sri Lanka’s most complete southern bay destination – a small, naturally beautiful crescent of warm water overlooked by coconut-covered Coconut Tree Hill, fronted by a relaxed strip of beach cafes and restaurants, and sitting directly above one of the world’s finest whale-watching grounds. Between November and April, blue whales, sperm whales, and pods of spinner dolphins regularly appear within a short boat ride of the shore. On land, Mirissa is easy and enjoyable – a south coast destination that manages to be simultaneously scenic, active, and completely unhurried.