Best Whale Watching Mirissa: Ethical Blue Whale Tour in Sri Lanka
In the distance you see a spurt of misty water, your excitement increases and the crew tell you to look towards 12 o clock, this is whale watching in Mirissa, Sri Lanka with Raja and The Whales. An ethical company who follows all international Whale Watching regulations and operates in Mirissa, one of the best places to see a variety of species as well as the iconic blue whale.
While travelling Sri Lanka with our trusty tuk from Tuktuk Rental we stopped off in the busy coastal town of Mirissa. A hotspot for whale watching, we couldn’t wait to get out on the boat and see what was out there, this is where we stumbled across the dark side to whale watching. A few companies disregarded the regulations and therefore the whales welfare while operating their tours, some offered diving & snorkelling with the creatures which is in fact illegal in Sri Lanka. After looking around and talking to a few locals, we found Raja and The Whales, which we think is the best whale watching company in Mirissa.
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Whale Watching In Sri Lanka
The hazy sunsets, speeding tuk tuks and endless stretching ocean is enough to draw any traveller to the island, but the wildlife tops the list for us. One of the best places in the world to observe these gentle giants in their natural habitat, we couldn’t miss whale watching in Mirissa.
Along with Trincomalee, Mirissa is a hot spot for whale tours and therefore shouldn’t be missed off your itinerary.
Raja and the Whales - Whales And Dolphin Watching, Mirissa Sri Lanka
The first locally run whale watching tour, Raja and The Whales is a family business that started in 2009. In this blog we recommend the company as 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.
What Can You See On Whale Watching Tours In Mirissa?
The sea is brimming with wildlife and there’s no shortage in the different types of species you can see. Of course for us the draw was the largest mammal on earth, the blue whale, but you can also see sperm whales, fin whales, orcas, whale sharks, spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, turtles, plus multiple fish species such as flying-fish and tuna.
Raja And The Whales - The Best Whale Watching Experience
Sleepily, we made our way to the main office at 6am to register ourselves, this was quick and easy. The tickets cost LKR 15k-20k each, depending on the season you go. We were then taken to the boat which is large and can hold up to 90 people, they informed us they only fill it to half capacity, this was really appreciated as on the water we saw other boats over crowded.
We were offered tea and biscuits and once we were on our way they brought round a plate of fruit and an omelette breakfast, this was delicious and well needed for the long tour ahead.
After around one hour we were lucky enough to spot a Fin Whale, the second largest whale in the world! We tracked the whale for a further hour and saw it swim alongside the boat. This trip we didn’t spot a blue whale, (apparently there is a 50% chance in Mirissa) but Raja and The Whales went above and beyond taking us to see a huge pod of spinner dolphins, there must have been around 200 which was magical. There were no other tours around and we’re extremely grateful for Rani and his crew to have taken us, although many boats left the dock at 6am, we were the last to return due to the crew's efforts to find the dolphins even though we had already seen a whale.
While returning back to the port we were given a king coconut before disembarking the boat. A great experience, albeit a long one. We were on the boat for 7 hours, something you may want to consider if you’re with children.
Frequently Asked Questions About Whale Watching Mirissa
What Is The Probability Of Seeing A Whale?
There is a 90% probability of seeing whales in Mirissa and a 50% probability of seeing a blue whale during the season. However, remember this is wildlife and nothing is guaranteed. If you don’t see a whale, Raja and The Whales team will give you a ticket for another day, you’ll just have to pay the government fees of LKR 6,000.
How Long Are The Whale Watching Tours In Mirissa?
They can vary depending on how much wildlife you see. Be prepared for a long day, our tour took seven hours.
Will I Get Sea Sick?
If you get travel sickness we highly recommend taking sea sickness tablets, Raja and The Whales supplied us with them (I guess they don’t want us throwing up either!)
Whale Watching Mirissa Price
In high season the tickets are LKR 20,000
When Is The Best Time For Whale Watching In Mirissa?
The Mirissa Whale Watching season is between November to April meaning this is the best time to head out on a tour. December brings the breeding season for blue whales so they can frequently be spotted in pairs at this time.
What To Pack For Your Day Trip?
Sun Hat
Camera (Raja and The Whales will send the best photos of the day to your email)
Final Thoughts On Our Whale Watching Tour
Although we didn’t see a blue whale we loved the experience, you can sense the power of the Fin Whale as it swims effortlessly by the boat. The 200-300 spinner dolphins transported us into a Disney movie as they jumped, spun and played behind the boat.
This is an experience you can’t do everywhere highlighting why Sri Lanka felt so special to us and why it is one of our favourite travel destinations. If you visit Mirissa looking for a whale tour please consider booking with an ethical company, one that will ensure these animals will be cared for and respected, we can recommend Raja and The Whales and we hope you catch a glimpse of the majestic giant, the blue whale.
Essentials You Need For Sri Lanka
 | Surfing Accessories
Sri Lanka is a surfers paradise and it's also great for beginners with multiple surf spots being a sandy bottom. Don't forget a zinc sun cream and surf hat!
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 | LifeStraw Filtered Water Bottle
Allowing you to fill up water whenever and wherever with peace of mind plus you’re helping the environment!
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 | Binoculars For Safari Home to leopards, elephants and crocodiles having a pair of binoculars is a must to appreciate the wildlife Sri Lanka has to offer! |
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Top Tips For Travelling Sri Lanka
If you’re visiting Sri Lanka here are our top travel tips:
Rent a Tuk Tuk as Transport - This made our trip! Not only did we have complete freedom and flexibility it allowed us to have authentic relationships with locals. Use our code "KandM" for 5% off Tuktuk Rental
Stay in Homestays - Staying in local homestays meant we experienced authentic food and the local way of life. Everyone was extremely friendly and happy to help.
Don’t Forget the North - Many tourists stick to the south coast but if you have time explore places such as Anuradhapura, Trincomalee and Arugam bay!
Embrace The Chaos and get stuck in, the locals are friendly and love to help and share information about their home!
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Thank you for reading and enjoy your Sri Lankan adventure. Reach out to us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels. We always love to hear from people who read our blogs!
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