Bespoke whale watching boat trip to encounter finned giants: Mirissa

4 Hours

Experience the kiss of salty air as you journey into the Indian Ocean, to one of the world’s best whale hotspots. See it all from giant Blue Whales to majestic Sperm Whales, off the coast of Mirissa.

Why you need to book this trip?

  • World’s best: As per the research, the deep south of Sri Lanka (off Mirissa) is one of the world's best locations (amongst the top two or three) for watching Blue Whales and Sperm Whales, two of the most sought after marine mammals. In fact, for seeing both Sperm and Blue Whales together, it may even turn out to be the best location in the world.
  • The waters off Mirissa in the southern coast of Sri Lanka are home to some of the largest whale and dolphin colonies in the world.
  • Experienced: Sri Lanka Day Tours owning company Eco Team initiated commercial whale and dolphin watching in Sri Lanka way back in 2000 in association with the international dolphin watch. Back then, whale watching was not commercial and only serious researches, whale enthusiasts did whale watching in Sri Lanka.
  • Responsible: We run our whale watching Sri Lanka trips as per the guidelines given by the International Whaling Commission. https://iwc.int/wwguidelines
  • Out of the three dolphin watching and whale watching destinations, namely dolphin and whale watching Mirissa, dolphin and whale watching Kalpitiya and dolphin and whale watching Trincomalee. Out of the three locations Mirissa remains most popular.
  • Sri Lanka is situated within the International Whaling Commission's protected zone in the Indian Ocean. Of the 80 species of cetaceans observed and identified worldwide, 26 are found in the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal, which we can access freely.
  • We operate purpose built boats fitted with all the necessary safety devices including compass, GPS, nautical charts and UHF radio for whale watching. Our boat is steady, fast, reliable and safe. We have on board washroom facilities, resting facilities etc.
  • Our whale watching Sri Lanka crew is customer friendly, experienced and responsible.
  • We may not be the cheapest but we are the most responsible and most dedicated to find you whales in Sri Lankan waters.
  • One of the most popular things to do in Sri Lanka, when you are in the south during the whale watching season.
  • We do private whale watching safaris for groups and individual couples/families as well.
  • We able to cater to wheelchair bound guests and very proud of it.

Itinerary

Sri Lanka Day Tours' guided whale and dolphin watching tour takes you on an unforgettable adventure from the Mirissa Harbour to have one of the best whale watching experiences in the world.

We first go to our meeting point and do the registration by 6 a.m. You will be given your snack pack, water etc. and directed to the harbour, which is a short drive away. Your boat will be waiting at the jetty.

The waters off Mirissa in the southern coast of Sri Lanka are home to some of the largest whale and dolphin colonies in the world. Whales are nature's giants. As long as 30m and weighing as much as 180 tonnes, the blue whale is the largest animal to have roamed the earth. All varieties of whales were hunted in large numbers until the middle of the 20th century, and their dwindled numbers have not improved. This makes whales a rare sight anywhere in the world.

November to April is the best period to watch whales and dolphins, as colder weather in the northern hemisphere brings these magnificent creatures to the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean.

Among the varieties you might see are blue, Bryde's, and sperm whales. Killer whales are a rare sight, but not unknown in these waters. More numerous than whales are the varieties of dolphins you find here. Playful and attractive, dolphins are among the most intelligent animals on earth. Among the varieties on view are common dolphins, bottlenose, spinner, Risso’s and striped dolphins.

  • Passenger capacity: 50 people
  • Maximum speed: 12 Knot
  • Engine OBM: Hyundai 429 HP
  • Manufacture: Hull – Sri Lanka, Engine – Hyundai
  • Observation deck
  • On board sanitary facilities
  • Powered with GPS navigation and radio and mobile communication facilities
  • Insured and certified by required government authorities
  • Wheelchair access could be arranged

Inclusions

  • Charges for the boat for a half-day dolphin and whale watching Mirissa
  • Entry fee by the Department of Wildlife Conservation
  • Lifejackets – Lifejackets for every size and age are kept aboard for our whale watching guests
  • Picnic Breakfast and Drinking water during the tour
  • First aid if you are the type to be seasick
  • Current prevailing Government taxes and service charges

Exclusions

  • Transportation to/from location (Mirissa Harbour) – could be arranged on request
  • Optional activity costs
  • Any personal effects not mentioned here
  • Tips for the staff
Overall Trip Rating:
5.0
- Based on 3 travel reviews
Excellent
3
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0
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0
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  1. A Magical Experience!!!
    By Derek Graham
    from France
    March 13, 2024
    It wasn't long before we spotted our first whale – a magnificent blue whale. It was an awe-inspiring sight to see this incredible creature gliding gracefully through the water. It was a three hour cruise in the sea off Mirissa, beyond the south most point of the island.
    Date of Experience: March 05, 2024
  2. Sighting of blue whale and a great experience!
    By Joanna Cooper
    from Sri Lanka
    January 9, 2024
    We went in last December. We saw Spinner Dolphins and we were lucky enough to see a blue whale towards the end of our time at sea (respectfully close, not unethically close to the animal) before the journey back to land! The sea conditions were good, no big waves so the boat wasn't very rocky, just a little, which is to be expected when you are far out at sea.
    Date of Experience: December 30, 2023
  3. Incredible Whaling experience...!!!
    By Kiran Mehta
    from India
    January 26, 2023
    Our whale watching trip we had in Mirissa was an unforgettable experience. There was a very well organised setup, right from being guided at the harbour to the ship, to the last moment when we got back on our vehicle. The boat was clean, life jackets, light breakfast, water and seasickness tablets etc were provided. The crew was smiling and helpful, even supported people to get down the stairs to the toilet.
    Date of Experience: January 17, 2023

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

Bespoke whale watching boat trip to encounter finned giants: Mirissa
From $65
/ Adult - Single Person(SOLO)
From $65
/ Adult - 2 Persons
From $65
/ Adult - 3 Persons
From $65
/ Adult - 4 Persons
From $65
/ Adult - 5 or More people
From $35
/ Child - Price per child
  • SLDT/2404/WDW03
  • 6:30AM
  • 4 hours
  • Mirissa Harbour [Transport could be provided from your location at an extra cost]
  • 24 Hours
  • November to April is the best period to watch whales and dolphins

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