Mirissa is a small beach town on Sri Lanka's southern coast, beloved for its crescent-shaped bay of golden sand, swaying coconut palms, and the best blue whale watching in Asia — between November and April, blue, sperm, and fin whales are regularly spotted just offshore. The town has a laid-back surf culture, a strip of excellent seafood restaurants on the beach, and a rocky headland at Parrot Rock perfect for watching sunsets. Stilt fishermen at work on their traditional poles at nearby Weligama are an iconic image of Sri Lankan coastal life.