Whale Watching in Mirissa

Whale watching in Mirissa, Mirissa Overview

Mirissa is hugely famous for its whale-watching and dolphin-watching activities. Whale watching in Mirissa allows visitors to enjoy watching them swim and play in their natural habitat. The best time is from November to March when whales migrate here from the South. There are several boat instructors available, and you can book your tickets either online or on the spot.

Aside from the whale watching in Mirissa, the boat ride is an experience on its own. Visitors are treated with breakfast, tea, coffee and the boat will ensure that your experience is satisfactory. On the ride, you will get to see dolphins, turtles and whales that swim in these waters and the chances of sightings are generally high. The ride mainly begins early in the morning, and you may be asked to reach the location by 6:30 AM. In the afternoon the sea gets very rough and is not suitable for sailing. The weather is also much better in the morning for such an activity. However, if this does not fit with your schedule, then some boats can take you whale watching in Mirissa in the afternoon as well, but it proves to be much more expensive unless you are in a big group. The hotels and tour operators usually arrange for drop off cars/tuk-tuk to the whale watching destination.

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Things to Do

You might be able to spot the largest animal in the world: the blue whale. May also see massive Bryde's whales, long sperm whales with their calves, spearlike Fin whales, the intimidating Orca, or killer whales. The experience is a purely responsible one and does not harm the whales or dolphins in any way. Visitors will not be disturbing the whales in their habitat and watch their pods swim along. The same goes for the dolphins who will be leaping from the water as they play in the waves. The dolphins that you can expect to see include bottlenose, spinner, striped, and Risso's dolphins. Besides the whales and dolphins, you will also be able to see several species of turtles and fish, including the blue fun fish and the flying fish. The kind of experience will depend on the boat that you choose. The ship is close enough to the whales that you can take some great pictures to capture this amazing experience.

Itinerary for Whale Watching in Mirissa

Most boats depart early in the morning as that is the best time to spot the whales and dolphins. Visitors usually book the tickets online but if not already booked, reach the location at 6:30 AM to avoid any hassle. At about 7:00 AM, the boats depart from the shore. The tour lasts about 3-4 hours.

Dining While Whale Watching in Mirissa

The boats that take you to whale watching early in the morning provide a sumptuous tropical breakfast on the way. There are both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Breakfast options usually include coconut pancakes, watermelon, sandwiches, fresh fruit, juices and chocolate cake for dessert. You will also get tea and coffee on the boat. They provide you with multiple snacking options throughout the 3-4 hour journey.

Tips while Going for Whale Watching in Mirissa

Children below the age of 3 can ride for free, but above that, an adult ticket has to be purchased.
Preferably wear comfortable walking shoes and casual clothes.
It is very sunny, so sunscreen, sun hats or scarfs are recommended.
The tour is not for those with walking difficulties or those in wheelchairs.
The bookings are not refundable.
Be wary of sea-sickness if you are prone to it
The overall experience will depend on the kind of package that you buy due to the presence of many boats, each having their features. Visitors should look at the itinerary of the boats online to choose the one that fits their needs.
Visitors should also note that throwing garbage in the water is strictly prohibited and you cannot disturb the whales in any way.
Carry a waterproof protector for your cameras

Tour Operators

1. Whale Watching Club
Timings: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Phone: +94 77 128 7200

2. Mirissa Water Sports
Timings: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Phone: +94 77 359 7731

3. Whale Watching Mirissa
Timings: 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Phone: +94 71 312 1061

4. Royal Tours - Whale Watching Mirissa
Timings: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Phone:+94 77 912 7251

5. Raja And The Whales
Timings: 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Phone: +94 (0) 71 333 1811

Best Time To Visit

The best time for whale watching in Mirissa is from November to April, especially the months of March and April for frequent sightings of the whales. An early morning boat ride, which typically begins at 6:00 AM or 7:00 AM, is recommended as the waters are often very rough in the afternoon.

The off-season is from May to October, during which the whales are rarely seen. The frequency of the boat rides is also low at that time.

How To Reach Whale Watching in Mirissa

There's a train from the Colombo Fort station every four hours for Weligama, which costs about LKR 250 and takes about 2 hours and a few minutes. From Weligama Station to Mirissa is just 6 minutes by cab which costs LKR 500. If you want to travel by bus, you can take Bus no. 187 or Exo 3 to Fort Station which takes 4-5 hours to reach Mirissa and has a ticket fee is LKR 120. In that case, a bus or taxi ride is the best option, and it will take about 4 hours to reach. Take a Tuk Tuk ride to reach the whale watching spot which can cost up to LKR 300. Most people visit Mirissa after visiting the hill countries of Nuwara, Eliya and Ella.