Beaches & Coast
Whale watching off Mirissa
A dawn boat to meet blue whales, the largest animal that has ever lived, where the continental shelf comes close inshore.
- Time needed
- About 4 hours
- Where
- Mirissa, Weligama
- When
- November, December, January, February, March, April
Boats leave Mirissa harbour around six-thirty, and most sightings happen in the first two hours.
Blue whales are resident off the south coast, along with sperm whales, fin whales, and spinner dolphins in pods of hundreds.
We are particular about operators. Some crowd and chase the animals, which is both distressing to them and against the guidelines. We use boats that keep legal distance and cut engines — you will see fewer animals, better.
Take seasickness tablets an hour before boarding. The swell past the harbour wall catches people out.