Whale Watching in Mirissa, Sri Lanka: Who To Choose & Why!

Last Updated: January 10 2024

When travelling to Sri Lanka, one of the activities you must do is whale watching in Mirissa! This incredible experience offers you the chance to see the world’s biggest mammal – the blue whale.

Sri Lanka is one of the best places in the world to spot whales and we can’t disagree! This is especially the case if you head to Mirissa which is located along the country’s South coast.

There are plenty of tour operators to choose from here offering this experience. However, we guarantee that you’ll have an amazing time if you go with the company we chose!

This guide is going to detail everything you need to know about whale watching in Mirissa, Sri Lanka. That includes the company to choose, what animals you’re likely to see, and when to go!

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Where is Mirissa?

Mirissa is a charming beach town located on the South Coast of Sri Lanka. Situated in the Matara District, you’ll find Mirissa a 2.5-hour drive away from Colombo which is the country’s capital city.

This town is also a great base for exploring the nearby area. Galle, Matara, Weligama, and Unawatuna are all under an hour’s drive away, which is why it’s such a popular destination.

Thanks to its location, you’ll have no problem getting here as there are plenty of bus services. Your other option is to catch the train to Matara or Weligama, and then take a tuk-tuk or taxi the rest of the way.

Why Should You Go Whale Watching in Mirissa, Sri Lanka?

Thanks to Mirissa’s location along the coast, this town is a great place for spotting marine life. Sri Lanka in general is famous for its whale watching and there are several places in the country you can do this activity!

Mirissa is certainly one of the best, and you’ll find plenty of fantastic tour operators offering whale-watching tours. Better yet, many of them run ethical tours and adhere to the government’s strict policies when it comes to the whale’s welfare. That’s always a must for us!

Not only do you have a great chance of spotting whales among other marine life, but Mirissa is easily accessible. Public transport runs from Colombo, as well as several other towns along the coast.

Whale watching is one of the top things to do in Mirissa so don’t leave this activity off your Sri Lanka itinerary!

What marine life can you spot in Mirissa?

When it comes to whale watching in Sri Lanka, you can’t get much better than Mirissa. There’s so much marine life on offer in this area, so you’re sure to see something!

On the whale watching tours, you’ve got a chance to see:

• Whales – Blue whales, Bryde’s whales, fin whales, humpback whales, sei whales, sperm whales, short-finned whales, Pilot whales (long & short-finned), and killer whales.

• Dolphins – Bottlenose and Striped dolphins.

• Turtles

• Manta rays

• Whale sharks

• Flying fish

Of course, these are wild animals so there’s never a guarantee of what you’ll see. However, that’s all part of the fun!

How to Book an Ethical Whale Watching Tour?

When looking to book a tour, there are so many different operators so it can be difficult to make a decision. During our trip to Sri Lanka, we wanted a tour company that had fantastic reviews and was ethical in their approach.

After doing some research, we came across Raja & the Whales (we’ll talk more about them below). During our deep dive into the company, we found that they followed the responsible whale-watching criteria which is set by the WDCS (Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society).

This criteria is split into a variety of elements and these must be met, for the tours to be truly ethical. This includes motivating participants to care about marine conservation, having a naturalist guide onboard to provide reliable information, and reducing the impact on the whales.

Going off previous reviews of Raja & the Whales and these codes of conduct, we certainly felt that we were making the right choice!

Our Top Pick: Raja & the Whales

Raja & the Whales is a responsible tour operator that’s been around since 2009. This family business was the first local company to start whale-watching trips in town. This makes them the OG when it comes to whale watching in Mirissa!

They offer trips nearly all year round and you’ll be thoroughly impressed with the service. This company exceeded all our expectations and it was obvious, that their primary focus was the welfare of the whales (and other marine life).

The great thing about this company is that you’ll learn so much about the marine life in this area. The staff also made sure to teach us about the issues that these whales face. This includes issues with companies not following regulations and cargo ships injuring marine life accidentally.

Honestly, they try to educate tourists as best as possible, which we think is a great thing! Not only that, but they speak to other tour operators over the radio who have spotted whales in the area, which only increases your chances of seeing them!

Why Should You Choose Raja & the Whales?

Here are some reasons:

• Raja & the Whales adheres to strict international whale-watching regulations, so you know the wildlife won’t be negatively impacted.

• This company works to provide valuable research on marine life, which in turn, helps with conservation.

• The boats aren’t overcrowded so you’ll have a relaxing experience out on the water. Not only that, but they don’t overcrowd the whales which is another huge bonus.

• Whenever we got close to the whales, this company made sure they turned the engine off so as not to disturb them. They also kept their distance and not every tour operator does this!

• You’ll be given plenty of food and drink throughout the day. Honestly, we were given more food than we could physically eat, so you won’t go hungry.

The Whale-Watching Tour Experience

In our opinion, Raja & the Whales offers the best whale watching in Mirissa! Everything on the day was smooth sailing, starting with our pick-up at around 5:45 am. The boat departs from Mirissa Harbour at 6:30 am. So for those who are staying nearby and want to walk, just make sure you get there at 6 am.

After arriving at the office, we filled out some paperwork and were given an anti-sickness tablet. We highly recommend taking this (we did), as other people on our boat got really seasick!

Upon boarding the boat, we were taken through a brief and then everyone was given breakfast. After, it was time to look out for whales!

During the trip, there were always crew members on deck, looking for the whales. Once one was spotted, they’d give us a heads-up and tell us which area of the boat to go to. The crew were excellent at finding the whales, and that was all part of the tour’s magic.

As you can see, we highly recommend this operator when it comes to Mirissa whale-watching tours! During our trip, we spotted two blue whales (which were a mating pair), around 15 short-finned pilot whales, dolphins and lots of flying fish!

Tips For Your Whale Watching Tour in Mirissa, Sri Lanka

Here are some top tips for your whale-watching tour:

• Take an anti-sickness tablet – The Indian Ocean swells are no joke, so we’d highly recommend taking an anti-sickness tablet before the boat trip. In fact, many companies offer them for free!

• Book in advance – Whale-watching tours in Mirissa are popular, so we’d recommend booking your ticket in advance. This way, you can be sure that you’re booked onto the trip.

• Invest in a zoom lens – Some boat trips do have a photographer onboard and you’ll be sent the photographs later on. However, there’s nothing quite like taking your own photos!

• Don’t litter while on the boat – You’d think this was an obvious one, but apparently, some people on our trip didn’t get the memo. Don’t be one of those stupid people.

• Always read tour reviews – If you don’t plan on using Raja & the Whales then make sure you read the reviews of other companies. The last thing you want is this magical experience to be ruined by unethical practices!

Helpful Information For Your Tour

The Best Time for Whale Watching in Mirissa

November to April is whale watching season in Mirissa, so try to visit during these months. During this time, the waters are relatively calm and warm, attracting an abundance of marine life.

Between November to April, whales migrate along the coast of Southern Sri Lanka. Sightings are especially frequent during the months of March and April.

Just keep in mind that the whale watching season in Sri Lanka differs depending on when you are. For instance, June to September is the best time to spot whales in Trincomalee, which is located along the East Coast.

The Cost of Whale Watching in Mirissa

The price of whale-watching tours will all depend on which tour operator you choose! However, they’re all likely to be a similar cost.

We went with Raja & the Whales, and the prices are as follows:

• Adults (12+) – 20,000 LKR (£50)

• Children (5-11) – 10,000 LKR (£25)

• Children (0-5) – Free

*These prices are correct as of September 2023

This included government fees and taxis, hotel pickup (within 6 km), a full breakfast, snacks, and beverages. Better yet, there’s a photographer on board who will take photographs of the whales. These will then be sent over to you by email for free!

What to pack for your whale-watching tour

Here are some things you should pack for your tour:

• Sunglasses and hat – You’ll be exposed to the sun all day, so stay covered up!

• Suncream – Opt for 50 SPF sunscreen to protect your skin.

• Lightweight clothing – Temperatures in Sri Lanka frequently reach 30°C so keep cool!

• Any medication you need – You could be on the boat for up to 7-8 hours so keep that in mind.

• Camera & zoom lens – Although there may be a photographer onboard, you’ll be able to get some fantastic shots yourself!

Where to Stay in Mirissa

Mirissa is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka! As such, we’d recommend staying here for at least a couple of days. There’s so much to do in Mirissa, and you’ll have plenty of day trip opportunities too! Not to mention the variety of hotels and guesthouses.

Here are some of our accommodation recommendations:

Budget: Sun Hopes

This is where we stayed in Mirissa and we couldn’t recommend it enough. This guesthouse is one of the most budget-friendly properties you’ll find in town and it’s located a short walk from the beach.

Not only are the rooms very cheap, but they’re also spacious with lots of amenities. There’s even an outdoor communal area where you can get to know other travellers!

Mid-range: Glamour Mirissa

If you don’t mind spending a bit more then check out Glamour Mirissa. You’ll be just a short walk from the beach and there’s plenty of facilities on-site. This includes a garden area and a shared lounge.

At this hotel, there are lots of different rooms to choose from. Each one features air conditioning, a private bathroom, and a flat-screen TV. You’ll also have free WiFi during your stay.

Luxury: The Beach House by Reveal

If you’ve got the budget, then take a look at The Beach House by Reveal. You’ll be staying just a 7-minute drive from Mirissa Beach, and you’ll be close to Kamburugamuwa Beach as well.

There are plenty of fantastic suites to choose from at this place, many of which offer stunning ocean views. Some also offer a private balcony and large outdoor area so you can relax.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Whale Watching in Mirissa

How much does whale watching cost in Mirissa?

Prices differ but typically you’re looking to pay around £50 for an adult and £25 for children. Some tour operators also allow children below the age of five to go for free!

The price of the tour will differ depending on which company you choose. Although it’s quite a pricey experience for budget travellers, it’s certainly worth it in our experience.

When can you see whales in Mirssa?

The Mirissa whale-watching season typically runs from November to April. This is when the majority of tour operators run whale-watching tours.

Some companies run trips from August to October, but this depends on the weather and sea conditions. However, no trips run in late May, June, and July, as this is monsoon season.

Is whale watching in Mirissa worth it?

We 100% recommend this activity especially if you’re a nature lover! Seeing whales in the wild is an experience like no other, especially the majestic blue whale.

For those heading to Sri Lanka, Mirissa is the best place to visit in our opinion. There are a variety of tours to choose from and you’ll have a fantastic chance of spotting these incredible creatures.

What time of day is best to go whale watching?

Morning is regarded as one of the best times to spot whales. However, if you head out in the afternoon, you’ll also be going off previous tips from the morning tours. Now, that’s a huge bonus!

Some of the whale-watching tours in Mirissa last all day so it doesn’t really matter when you go. In fact, we were out on the water for 7 hours during our boat trip!

Final Thoughts on Whale Watching in Mirissa, Sri Lanka

There are plenty of whale-watching tours on offer in Mirissa. However, we highly recommend using Raja & the Whales as this is who we went with! They gave us the best experience, and we’ll certainly be going on another tour with them when we head back to Sri Lanka.

For the best experience, time your visit right and ensure you’re heading to Sri Lanka in the right season. You’ll also want to book your tickets in advance if you can!

If you have further questions about whale watching in Mirissa then don’t hesitate to contact us via Instagram, Facebook, or in the comments below!

Here are some other guides that you may find helpful:

• The Best Places To Swim With Turtles In Sri Lanka
• The Best Things To Do In Ella, Sri Lanka
• The Ultimate Udawalawe Safari Guide

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