Whale and dolphin watching tour in Mirissa

The boats leave Mirissa fisheries harbour at around 6 am, which means a dark, quiet start. Depending on where you are staying on the south or south-west coast, pickup can be up to two hours earlier, so pack breakfast to eat on the way.

Out on the water

It usually takes about two hours to reach the stretch of sea where whales are most often seen. The continental shelf drops away steeply off this coast, and blue whales feed in the deep water closer to shore than in most parts of the world. On a good morning you may also see sperm whales, spinner and bottlenose dolphins, turtles and flying fish. The crew know the animals well and will help you tell one species from another.

Blue whales come up to breathe after dives that can last a long time, and the crew watch for the spout. When one surfaces the engines are cut and everyone goes quiet. Keep noise down and let the animals set the distance. No operator can promise a sighting; this is the open ocean, and some days are better than others.

What to bring

• A light breakfast and water. The sea can be lively, and people prone to seasickness should eat lightly and take tablets before boarding.
• Sunscreen, a hat and a light jacket for the early wind.
• A camera with a zoom lens if you have one. Phones struggle at distance.

When to go

Whale watching off Mirissa runs mainly from November to April, with the best chances from about December to March, when the sea is calm. From May to September the south-west monsoon makes the sea rough and most boats stay in harbour. If you are travelling in the middle of the year, the east coast is the better bet: see whale and dolphin watching in Trincomalee.

The rest of the day

You are usually back at the harbour by late morning or early afternoon. The afternoon is yours. Mirissa beach is a short drive from the harbour, and if you want a change of scene your driver can take you to Secret Beach, a small cove a little east of the main bay, or up to Coconut Tree Hill for the view along the coast. Then it is back to your hotel.

Good to know

This is a shared boat trip run by licensed local operators with safety equipment on board. Tell us where you are staying when you enquire, and we will confirm the pickup time. If you want to stay near the harbour the night before, look at our hotels in Mirissa.

Responsible whale watching

Sri Lanka has rules on how close boats may approach whales, and the better operators follow them: no chasing, no cutting across an animal's path and a limit on how long a boat stays with one whale. If you see a skipper ignoring them, tell us. Swimming with whales is not part of this trip.