Mirissa

Mirissa (Sinhala: මිරිස්ස, Tamil: மிரிஸ்ஸ) is a coastal town in Matara District, Southern Province, located at coordinates 5°56'45"N 80°27'35"E, approximately 150 kilometers south of Colombo at 4 meters above sea level. The town represents Sri Lanka's largest fishing port on the south coast, renowned for tuna, mullet, snapper, and butterfish catches. Mirissa gained international recognition when German naturalist Ernst Haeckel documented the spectacular 'red cliffs' at sunset in his 1881 book 'A Visit to Ceylon,' describing how 'they seem to burn like coal.' The first tourist accommodation was built in 1980, with tourism increasing dramatically from the mid-1990s as visitors discovered the area's proximity to the continental shelf where pygmy blue whales and sperm whales migrate during winter and summer seasons. The town was significantly affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, suffering fourteen deaths and extensive damage to homes, guesthouses, and temples, but has since rebuilt into one of Asia's premier whale watching destinations. Mirissa's unique geography places it near Dondra Point, where the continental shelf drops to great depths just 8-12 kilometers offshore, creating ideal conditions for spotting the world's largest animals. The town's crescent-shaped bay, flanked by coconut-covered lateritic headlands including the famous Coconut Tree Hill, provides sheltered waters for boats and stunning sunset viewing opportunities. Modern Mirissa balances its traditional fishing heritage with sustainable marine tourism, hosting populations of 4,695 residents who continue centuries-old fishing practices while serving as stewards for some of the Indian Ocean's most spectacular whale watching experiences.