Since the end of the war in 2009, Sri Lanka has made its mark on the global map as a whale watching destination given the steady growth of whale population off its coasts.

Blue whale and Sperm whale gatherings have been a common sighting which also indicated a rise in their numbers, a blessing to the constant efforts of conservationists made over several years. Sri Lanka is also frequented by Bryde’s whales, fin whales, sei whales, pilot whales and even killer whales (orcas) on a lucky day! With the rise in tourism whale watching has caught up as one of the top activities in Sri Lanka and rightly so. Here are some of the top spots for whale watching in the country!

If you have watched the Blue Planet documentary by BBC, you would have undoubtedly seen the sperm whale gathering documented just off the shores of Sri Lanka. That was shot a little off the coast from Trincomalee, which is located on the North East coast of Sri Lanka. Still untouched by the tourists who flock the southern parts of the country, Trincomalee is home to quaint beaches and excellent diving spots. Trincomalee is frequented by sperm whales, blue whales, fin whales, pilot whales and Bryde’s whales particularly during March, April and May. We have also had sightings through June, July and August! Killer whales (orcas) can be also very rarely spotted (last sighting June 2022, April 2024). Dolphins are a regular spectacle and will greet you as you set out at dawn in search of the majestic mammals who have ruled the oceans since prehistoric times. You have chance to spot spinner dolphins and/or bottlenose dolphins.

We, at Divinguru Nilaveli organise 3 hours whale and dolphin watching tours every morning from 15th March to end of October and follow sustainable practices, keeping the animals’ safety and well being as our top priority. Our fleet of 7 boats is powered by the environmentally friendly four stroke 40 hp Yamaha engines, with a roof and shade available. Every boat has capacity of maximum 7 people and the boat captain. Our captains have excellent eyes and will take you where you can get the best possible views! You can book the whale and dolphin watching tour easily online and get 10% discount for advance bookings!

If you are travelling on the south coast, Mirissa is one of the best spots for whale watching with high chance of spotting whales (fin whales, sei whales, sperm whales, pilot whales), 50/50 chance of spotting blue whales, the biggest animals on earth. You can also see turtles, whale sharks or even orcas (killer whales) on a lucky day! A number of different organisations offer whale watching in Mirissa. Groups typically head out early in the morning on big boats (for approx. 30-60 people) to get a glimpse of these magical creatures. Raja and the Whales organises whale watching tours in an animal friendly and sustainable manner, respecting the animals’ boundaries and space so as to avoid incidents of harassing or disturbing the animals. The trip duration is around 3-5 hours. This is the only company we can recommend for whale watching on the south coast of Sri Lanka. The best time for whale watching on the south coast is between November to April.

Kalpitiya is located at the north west coast, around 170 km north of Colombo. Kalpitiya has seen whale gatherings and migrating whales over the years, thus growing as a popular whale watching destination. Dolphins are also frequently spotted on whale watching tours around Kalpitiya. Whale watching here is a humbling experience with potential sperm whales and pilot whales flocking these waters. Their presence itself reminds you of how smalland new we are to this age old planet.

Be mindful of choosing the right company as some of them tend to chase the whales which can be a highly disturbing experience for the animals.

Kindly note that snorkelling, swimming and diving with whales is illegal in Sri Lanka! These activities can only be carried out with special permissions from the wildlife department. There are organisations violating this and offering in water activities with whales which can be harmful for the animals and also land customers in trouble with the authorities.

Always inquire thoroughly before booking your activity and ensure that it is being conducted in the most sustainable way possible with proper permissions.

We hope this article helps you plan your whale watching activities in Sri Lanka and if you have any questions please feel free to write to us!