ONCE MORE UNTO THE BEACH
You’re leaving Tangalle today and working your way west along the coast towards the beaches around MIRISSA, just under 50km (around an hour and a half or so) along the coastal highway. After the tranquillity of Tangalle, Mirissa feels busy by comparison, although it’s still nowhere near as developed as the resorts further along the coast. Focal MIRISSA BEACH is one of the most southerly in the country, a beautiful strand backed by leaning palm trees and beach-shack restaurants. It’s split in two by the hump-backed “island” of PARROT ROCK, which is connected to the coast at low tide (older children can carefully climb up to the top for great views along the seafront). The sea on both sides is powerful but fun and the shallows are often a froth of excited kids dashing in and out of the waves; you’ll need to be on your guard for big surf and riptides if you’ve got young children with you. In the evenings, restaurants set up stalls of brightly coloured fish, tables spill out onto the sand, and the beach twinkles with the glow of candles and fairy lights. There’s plenty to choose from, but it can sometimes feel like the whole town has decamped to the beach for dinner, so you may need to book in advance if you’re looking to eat at one of the more popular places (Zephyr, by Parrot Rock, is recommended).
THE LIJOMA LOWDOWN
SRI LANKA INSIGHTS
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SRI LANKA ESSENTIALS
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