As we arrived in Sri Lanka, one thing was at the top of our bucket list: whale watching. Sitting in the heart of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is known for its whale watching seasons that allow visitors a chance to see blue whales, fin whales, pilot whales, sperm whales, and more! The good news, and why Sri Lanka is a great wildlife destination is there are two different whale watching seasons in Sri Lanka. Mirissa, on the south coast is the most reliable place to head to see whales between November to April and Trincomalee on the northeast coast runs whale tours from May to September as whales migrate around the island.
We visited both Trincomalee and Mirissa, heading off on our whale tour with Raja and The Whales on the south coast in hope to catch a glimpse of the giants that roam the sea.
In this guide we share our own experience as well as provide all the tips for whale watching in Trincomalee vs Mirissa vs Kalpitiya, the three most popular places for whale sightings in Sri Lanka.
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Whale Watching In Trincomalee
Whale Season: May – September
Price: ~ 38USD
Trincomalee is an emerging tourist town with a rich culture, the best snorkelling in the country and an authentic Sri Lankan vibe.
It’s great for whale watching as it is one of the deepest natural harbours in the world, attracting blue whales and sperm whales. The peak whale season from June to September offers sightings from shore, but a boat trip is the best way to experience the largest animals on earth.
Whale tours in Trincomalee leave early, around 6am and travel about 30 minutes out to see. If you join a tour in peak season you have a 90% chance of seeing blue whales, dolphins and turtles.
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One thing we like about whale watching in Trincomalee is that there are different cruise times, ranging from a 1hr short cruise to a 5hr long cruise depending on your sea legs!
Other things to do in Trincomalee include learning about the historical culture at Fort Frederick, snorkelling at Pigeon Island and soaking up the healing properties of the Kanniya Hot Springs.
Recommend Tour Provider
For ethical whale watching tours in Trincomalee we recommend Tirino Bay Dive Center. Their boats are small groups of 8 and they follow international whale watching standards. Due to the smaller group size tours can be a little more expensive, around $60 but worth it for an ethical experience. Book your Trincomalee whale watching tour here!
Looking for the best accommodation in Trincomalee? We share our top picks here.
Whale Watching In Mirissa
Whale Season: November – April (peak season for whale watching in Mirissa is December to March)
Price: ~45 USD
Mirissa is the most well-known and popular whale watching tour destination. From the south coast, you have a 90% chance of seeing blue whales in season alongside all other whale species that come to Sri Lanka, including pilot whales, sperm whales, blue whales, fin whales and sometimes even orcas.
We joined a whale tour here with Raja and the Whales that started at 6:30am. We headed out for 6 hours and were provided with breakfast, snacks and drinks while onboard. The trip duration varies depending on what you see, ours was lengthened so we could go and see a huge pod of spinner dolphins after seeing a fin whale, the second largest whale in the world. Sadly, we did not see a blue whale in Mirissa, but we did head out in November at the start of the season.
Recommend Tour Provider
If you’re wondering which is the best whale watching company in Mirissa, Raja and The Whales is widely recommended.
Raja and The Whales is a family business that started in 2009 and was the first locally run whale watching tour provider that offers the best whale watching in Mirissa. They follow international whale watching regulations as well as collect data for marine research and efforts.
It was clear on the boat the love the crew had for marine life, everyone was extremely knowledgeable and were happy to share facts on the animals as well as their habitat and local life for whales in Mirissa. We chose Raja and The Whales and were extremely happy, they went above and beyond to make our day unforgettable. Find out more about our experience with Raja and the Whales here.
Whale Watching In Kalpitiya
Whale Season: November – March
Price: ~40 USD
Kalpitiya is lesser-known for whale watching compared to Trinco and Mirissa, it’s actually best known for kitesurfing but you can still head out into the ocean on a whale and dolphin tour.
The boats here are less crowded but you still have a high chance of spotting sea life. Spinner dolphins often play near Kappalady Beach and just a little further out the ocean gets deeper and you can see blue whales, sperm whales and sometimes orcas. In fact the west coast of Sri Lanka is the only place that has blue whales year round!
Recommend Provider
Cross Country Travels offers small group tours in Kalpitiya for whale and dolphin watching. Departing from Alankuda Beach around 5:30 AM, this small group (up to 8) excursion offers a calm, eco-conscious whale and dolphin safari lasting 3 to 5 hours, including snacks and bottled water. With licensed, local guides and a strong emphasis on marine welfare, it’s a responsible way to explore Kalpitiya’s whale season.
FAQs About Whale Watching In Sri Lanka
Best Sri Lanka Tours
Best Time To Travel Sri Lanka
Essential Items for Sri Lanka
Allowing you to fill up water whenever and wherever with peace of mind, plus you’re helping the environment
The week sprays will not work! Make sure to bring a high DEET percentage spray made for the tropics. We also use Mosquito Wipes.
Water Shoes – Lightweight with Protection
Stay protected from sea urchins with these shoes. Also useful for trekking to waterfalls and snorkelling. We also love our microfibre towel and dry bag.
Life while travelling will never be the same again! Charge multiple devices all at once in any country… game changer.
