The rapid global spread of COVID-19 had profound social and economic repercussions. Coastal communities, which were already susceptible to various social and environmental changes, found themselves further marginalized due to the virus and the preventive measures enforced by governments. Our understanding of how COVID-19 impacted the different facets of coastal communities in Sri Lanka remains limited. To bridge this gap, this study gathered information about the effects on livelihoods, support from various entities, and the adaptive capabilities of individuals involved in small-scale fisheries and the tourism sector in Mirissa, Sri Lanka.