Hiriketiya

Hiriketiya

The bay that Mirissa used to be, before the world arrived.

A horseshoe bay on the southern coast. A small, perfect bay --- the wave breaks left and right from the centre. A handful of low-key accommodation options built around the beach rather than facing it. It does not have a high street. It has the bay, the wave, and a cafe that serves good coffee and knows not to put music on before 9am.

Experiences at this stop

• Surfing --- beginner to intermediate

The Hiriketiya wave is forgiving enough for beginners and interesting enough for intermediates. Lessons available through local instructors who have taught here for years.

• Morning swim --- the horseshoe bay

Before the surfers are up. Twenty minutes of open water swimming in the Indian Ocean, in a protected bay, with no one else there.

• Coastal walk to Dickwella

A 45-minute coastal walk east reaches the Wewurukannala Vihara --- a temple complex containing a 50-metre seated Buddha, the largest in Sri Lanka.