Mirissa

Crack open a coconut, slip into a hammock and rock gently in the breeze, allowing the hours, days and even weeks to slip calmly by. Welcome to Mirissa, a stunning crescent beach. Modest guesthouses abound and there's a string of simple restaurants at the back of the sand.

Paradise is compromised slightly by an erosion problem on the east side of Mirissa, which is partly due to a government-built breakwater and partly due to sand-encroaching construction.

In recent years Mirissa has developed a reputation as a party destination for young travellers, and in high season DJs spin pumping tunes till late several nights a week. If you're looking for solitude and zen-like calm, this may not be the beach for you.