It is approximately 150 kilometres (93 mi) south of Colombo and is situated at an elevation of 4 metres (13 ft) above sea level.

It is also a fishing port and one of the island's main whale and dolphin watching locations.

Mirissa is the largest fishing port on the south coast and is known for its tuna, mullet, snapper, and butterfish.

In 1980 the first tourist accommodation was built, and in the mid-1990s tourism to the town started to increase dramatically.

[2] Mirissa was affected by the tsunami caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, with numerous homes, guesthouses, shops, schools, and temples destroyed or damaged and fourteen reported deaths.