Did you know that Sri Lanka’s biodiversity makes it a haven for wildlife in Asia, if not the world? There’s an abundance of magnificent sea-life but it’s the whales and dolphins that top any visitor’s trip to the island.
Wondering why it’s such a prime spot? According to marine biologists there’s an annual migration of blue and sperm whales between the Bay of the Bengal and the Arabian Sea, via the coast of Sri Lanka. The migration is now hailed as one of the greatest cetacean migratory routes in the world.
Check out Sri Lankan marine biologist Asha De Vos on Instagram to catch live whale migration updates as she teaches you the best times to visit the island.
The three main whale and dolphin watching areas in Sri Lanka are Mirissa in the south-west, Trincomalee in the north-east and Kalpitiya on the northwest coast. The most frequently targeted species of whale for whale watching in Sri Lanka is the blue whale, which can be observed off the coast of Mirissa between December and March, and off Trincomalee between March and July.
Whale watching platforms range in size from small boats seating 4-6 passengers to large double-decked vessels taking up to 300 passengers. Even the Sri Lankan Navy offers whale watching tours! Tours sometimes head up to 20 km offshore, so vessels need to be large and powerful enough to cope with longer journeys and potentially rough sea conditions.
There are plenty of tour operators (mostly at Mirissa Harbour) who offer dolphin- and whale-watching excursions, setting off from Weligama Bay. There are also a few touts who offer tickets at cheaper prices, but it’s important to choose a reliable operator for the most eco- and safety-conscious trip. Some boats cater for eight or so people, others over fifty.
Tours start early at 6am, and during the three to four hours you’re out on the water, you’re likely to catch sightings of blue, sperm and possibly even a Humpback whale.
Remember – the best time to catch whales and dolphins are from December to April.
Up next, The Kalpitiya peninsula is another hot spot for these amazing water mammals. Whale sightings have only become more prominent in the past ten years or so, with sperm whales diving down to try their luck at catching a giant squid. If you’re lucky, there’s a chance you might see a magnificent blue whale, too.
Most whale and dolphin trips begin as early as sunrise and can last up to three hours. The best time to visit is outside of the monsoon season, when the sea should be at its calmest.
Remember – the best time to catch whales and dolphins are from November to April.
And lastly, we have Nilaveli Beach that sits Pigeon Island National Park, if you’re lucky, you might find yourself in the company of a whale. But this depends on the season of migration.
Remember – the best time to catch whales and dolphins are from March to September
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