9 Snorkeling Trips in Mirissa Worth Getting Up For

1.Snorkeling with Turtles in Mirissa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 268 reviews · from $25Our pick

Meet your guide at Araliya Restaurant in Mirissa, walk to the beach, and spend about an hour snorkeling from shore near Parrot Rock. Your private guide supplies equipment, helps less-confident swimmers, searches for turtles and reef life, and sends underwater photos and videos afterward. Punsara is one guide praised by name.

“The guide was very kind and helpful. It didn't take many minutes before he could show us the first turtle. We saw several turtles, both small and large. We were also offered to swim out to look at the fish in the coral reef, which we accepted. We ended up swimming in the middle of a large shoal of fish. Although the water was not completely clear, it was certainly an experience to recommend!”

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2.Snorkeling Experience with Turtles

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 123 reviews · 1 hour · from $29

Join Z R I Adventures for a one-hour snorkel near Mirissa, with gear, a boat ride, instruction, and optional tuk-tuk pickup. Guides such as Amil, Pasi, and Sandesh help beginners spot turtles, rays, moray eels, coral, and reef fish. Photos and videos are included, and groups are limited to eight.

“Really amazing and original experience. Worth it, and you can choose to prepare such a beautiful things that you cannot imagine. Just amazing☺️”

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3.Mirissa Unforgettable Snorkeling Experience with Turtles

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 120 reviews · from $24Best value

Meet your personal instructor for a short lesson, then snorkel in Mirissa’s clear coastal waters with supplied gear in search of sea turtles, fish, and coral. Pickup and drop-off are included within the Mirissa area, along with water, fruit, biscuits, and a freshwater rinse. Nuwan is especially praised as an instructor, though guide assignment may vary.

“Great experience! The staffs were friendly and we had a wonderful time. I highly recommend doing it.”

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4.Snorkeling with Whales in Mirissa

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 42 reviews · from $348

Set out from Mirissa Beach in a boat limited to 10 people, searching for blue, fin, Bryde’s, sperm, and pilot whales. Start time shifts between 6 and 9 a.m. according to sea conditions. Pickup from Mirissa hotels, snorkeling gear, bottled water, and snacks are included, but swimming with whales is never guaranteed.

“It was enjoyable, and we did swim with a Whale shark which obviously was very exciting, but I do think this trip is overpriced for what it is. Had the cost been less, I would have put 5 stars”

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5.Snorkeling with Turtles in Mirissa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · from $35

Meet your pickup in Mirissa, collect your mask, snorkel, and fins, then head by boat to a turtle spot over coral reef. A swim guide accompanies you in the water and can adjust the outing to your wishes. The private format suits families and small groups, while weather and water clarity can affect what you see.

“This was an amazing experience, really enjoyable. You get close up to the turtles and the crew filmed us which was a good memory”

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6.Snorkeling with Sea Turtles in Mirissa (Pickup and Drop included)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 16 reviews · from $45

Meet at 7:30 am for a guided snorkel outing in Mirissa. Aja leads you to a turtle area between the reefs, with gear, fins, wetsuit, towel, life jacket, tea, cookies, and select hotel pickup and drop-off included. Expect about three hours, including roughly two hours at the beach.

“We had a fantastic time. Saw loads of turtles and colourful fish. The guide was fabulous. Would highly recommend this experience.”

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7.Snorkeling Trip from Polhena Beach, Matara, Sri Lanka

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 11 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $29

Meet Snorkeling Mirissa near Kamburugamuwa, then head to Polhena Beach for 1.5 hours in the water. English-speaking staff fit clean masks and fins, and guides such as Dilip and Supul have helped beginners see turtles, fish, coral, and shells. Groups are limited to five, with an English audio guide and wheelchair access.

“We hebben vandaag de snorkeling gedaan en hebben een schildpad gezien. Was heeel leuk!”

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8.Night Snorkeling Experience in Mirissa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $55

Meet your guide in Mirissa at 7:30 pm for a two-hour private night snorkel. After a safety briefing and skill check, you will enter the sea with equipment, training, and lights provided. Look for turtles, octopus, pufferfish, lobsters, sea urchins, coral, and other creatures active after sunset.

“I booked the night snorkelling in Mirissa and it was amazing!”

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9.All Inclusive Mirissa Whale & Dolphin Watching + Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 3 reviews · 6 hours · from $145

Start before sunrise in Mirissa with a tuk-tuk transfer and a four-hour ocean trip in search of whales, dolphins, and other marine life. After a local lunch, snorkel with turtles and colorful fish, then enjoy one included beer. Sami and his team may adjust plans if rough seas make sailing or swimming unsafe.

“Whale watching was incredible, we saw one whale bellyflop. Snorkelling part not so great, too crowded with 20 people fighting for one turtle. Pretty fish and corals though. I'd recommend to just do the whale watching without snorkelling and lunch.”

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