Parrot Rock
For sunset.
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A crescent of sand in the town of Mirissa on Sri Lanka's south coast, about 150 kilometres from Colombo, fringed by coconut palms leaning out over the sea. It is one of the island's prettiest and liveliest beaches. At one end is little Parrot Rock, which visitors climb to watch the sea and the sunset; on the hill nearby is Coconut Tree Hill with its palms lined up above the water, and to the west lies the quiet Secret Beach among the rocks. Mirissa is also the largest fishing port in the south, and whale and dolphin watching trips leave from its harbour, one of the main places on the island to see them, including blue whales, per visitor guides. The beach is free. The best season for the beach and the whale trips is November to April, when the sea is calm, per visitor guides. Choose an operator that keeps a safe distance from the whales, and ask about halal in the beach restaurants.
For sunset.
Above the sea.
Offshore.
Mirissa, Matara District, south coast
Roughly November to April, when the sea is calm, per visitor guides; trips leave from Mirissa harbour.