Home Search by budget Destinations Beaches Interactive map Services Booking Collections Ratings VIP Club
Find flights Book transfer
Home / Beaches / Black Sand Beach

Black Sand Beach

Пляж Чёрный песок
Sri Lanka · Beach · Mirissa
high
Best month: January

Best for

Ideal for lovers of unusual natural phenomena and photographers. Suitable for snorkelling and short walks. Not suitable for families with small children and lovers of comfortable beach holidays.

Best month

January

Water
+28.0°C
Length
200 m
Black Sand Beach, located east of the main Mirissa beach. It features dark sand and a calm atmosphere, popular for a quiet retreat and sunset watching.
Surface
sand
Waves
calm
Entry
moderate
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
Black Sand Beach, located east of the main Mirissa beach. It features dark sand and a calm atmosphere, popular for a quiet retreat and sunset watching.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • Unique black sand
  • Crystal-clear water
  • Snorkelling
  • View of Parrot Rock
  • Scenic landscapes
  • Few tourists

Cons

  • Narrow beach, little space to relax
  • Sand can appear orange rather than black
  • Possible sewage smell
  • Not suitable for lying down
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for lovers of unusual natural phenomena and photographers. Suitable for snorkelling and short walks. Not suitable for families with small children and lovers of comfortable beach holidays.
Features
What makes this beach unique
Black Sand Beach is known for its unusual black sand of volcanic origin, which creates a sharp contrast with the turquoise water and Parrot Rock. It is one of the most photographed spots in Mirissa.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
black
Sand Texture
Grain size
fine
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
moderate
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
10 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
recommended
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
200 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
high
Underwater Visibility
8.0 m
Average Water Temp
+28.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+30.0 °C
Wave Type
calm
Wave Height
0.3 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
November
Season end
April
Best month
January
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
low
Water Quality
Water purity rating
moderate
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
none
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
5.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
No serious threats. Caution: possible sewage smell.
Insurance & Connectivity
Get travel insurance and mobile internet before your trip
Travel insurance
EKTA — international coverage
Get insured
Visitor insurance
VisitorsCoverage — for travelers
Get insured
Flight compensation
AirHelp — claim for delayed flights
Claim
Flight compensation
Compensair — EU flight claims
Claim
eSIM for travel
Airalo — mobile internet worldwide
Connect
eSIM without roaming
Yesim — 190+ countries
Connect
eSIM for travelers
Saily — affordable data abroad
Connect
Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
No
Umbrellas
No
Showers
No
Toilets
No
Changing Rooms
No
Lifeguards
No
First Aid
No
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
Kids Playground
No
Sports Ground
No
Restaurants Nearby
3 pcs
Best restaurants

The Slow Vegan

Vegan

Vegan restaurant near the beach.

Nearby cuisines

Vegan

Vegan cuisine with local products.

Must try: Smoothie bowls, curry, salads
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
calm
Crowd Level
uncrowded
Silence Level
quiet
Sunset Quality
beautiful
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
little
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
Yes
Diving
No
Surfing
No
Kayaking / SUP
No
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Swimsuit Water shoes Cash Snorkel mask
Best Time to Swim
Best time to visit is from November to April, in the dry season. In the morning the water is calmer.
Local Rules
Keep the beach clean, do not make noise. Swim with caution.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
Flights
Find the best flight deals
Find flights
Airport transfer
Meet & greet, fixed price, 24/7
Book transfer
International transfer
GetTransfer — worldwide transfers
Book
Transfers worldwide
intui.travel — group & private
Book
Car rental
DiscoverCars — rent worldwide
Rent a car
Car rental
QEEQ — compare rental prices
Rent a car
Car rental
GetRentacar — 100+ countries
Rent a car
Car rental
Economybookings — low-cost rental
Rent a car
Car rental in Europe
AutoEurope — EU & UK
Rent a car
Bikes & scooters
BikesBooking — rent motorbikes
Rent
Local car rental
Localrent — direct from local providers
Rent a car
Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Parrot Rock

Scenic rock with panoramic views of the beach.

Mirissa Beach

Neighbouring popular beach with well-developed infrastructure.

Turtle Beach

Neighbouring beach where turtles can be seen.

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Black Sand Beach: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity high, average temperature +28.0°C, warms up to +30.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Black Sand Beach: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — calm. Average wave height — 0.3 m. Calm water is great for families with children and those who prefer not to deal with strong swell.
Black Sand Beach: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — moderate. The shallow area extends for 10 metres from the shore. Bottom — sand. It is recommended to bring aqua shoes — parts of the bottom have rocks or corals.
Black Sand Beach: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — black. Texture — fine. Beach length — 200 metres.
Black Sand Beach: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in November. It ends in April. The best month for a holiday is January. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Black Sand Beach: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as moderate. Rip currents are unlikely. Jellyfish risk — low. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Black Sand Beach: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: parking. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Black Sand Beach: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
There are no lifeguards on the beach — be especially careful when swimming.
Black Sand Beach: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: The Slow Vegan. Cuisines available: Vegan. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Black Sand Beach: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Swimsuit, Water shoes, Cash, Snorkel mask.
Black Sand Beach: when is the best time to swim?
Best time to visit is from November to April, in the dry season. In the morning the water is calmer.
Black Sand Beach: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Keep the beach clean, do not make noise. Swim with caution.
Black Sand Beach: what activities are available?
The beach offers: snorkelling. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Black Sand Beach: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for lovers of unusual natural phenomena and photographers. Suitable for snorkelling and short walks. Not suitable for families with small children and lovers of comfortable beach holidays.
Black Sand Beach: what makes this beach unique?
Black Sand Beach is known for its unusual black sand of volcanic origin, which creates a sharp contrast with the turquoise water and Parrot Rock. It is one of the most photographed spots in Mirissa.
Black Sand Beach: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: Unique black sand, Crystal-clear water, Snorkelling, View of Parrot Rock, Scenic landscapes, Few tourists. Cons: Narrow beach, little space to relax, Sand can appear orange rather than black, Possible sewage smell, Not suitable for lying down.
Black Sand Beach: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Parrot Rock, Mirissa Beach, Turtle Beach. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Black Sand Beach: how do I get to the city of Mirissa?
The beach is located near the city of Mirissa. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Mirissa.

City

Mirissa

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.