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A whale’s dark tail lifting out of the sea as it dives
On the water · South coast

Mirissa whale watching day trip

An early start from Colombo for a morning boat trip out of Mirissa harbour to look for blue whales, in season from November to April.

Duration
Full day, about 14 hours
Pickup
Pickup from your hotel or home in Colombo; Negombo on request
Group
Private car; shared whale-watching boat
Languages
English and Sinhala; Tamil on request
Cancellation
Free up to 24 hours before pickup
Confirmation
Within a few hours, once the boat is checked
  • Coconut palms on a red-earth headland above a turquoise bay at Mirissa
  • Colourful fishing boats moored in a harbour on the south coast
  • A whale raising its tail above the deep blue sea
  • The bay at Mirissa from above, palm trees along the shore

Highlights

  • A morning boat trip out of Mirissa in search of blue whales
  • A chance of sperm whales and spinner dolphins as well
  • Light breakfast and water on board
  • Time on Mirissa beach and at Coconut Tree Hill
  • A quick drive each way on the Southern Expressway

Why you’ll love it

  • Blue whales close to shore

    Deep water lies close to the south coast, which brings feeding blue whales within a short boat ride of Mirissa.

  • More than whales

    Spinner dolphins, sperm whales, flying fish and turtles are all seen on some trips.

  • An easy run to the harbour

    The Southern Expressway gets you from Colombo to Mirissa in about 2.5 hours, with your own car and driver guide.

  • An afternoon by the sea

    After the boat, time on Mirissa beach and the short walk up Coconut Tree Hill for the view along the coast.

How the tour runs

  1. 3:30 am

    Pickup

    We collect you from your hotel or home in Colombo for the drive south on the Southern Expressway, about 2.5 hours.

  2. 6:30 am

    Boarding

    Check in at Mirissa harbour and board your boat. Life jackets are on board.

  3. 7:00 am

    Out to sea

    The boat heads out to deep water off the south coast, where the crew watches for whales and dolphins. Trips usually last 3 to 5 hours, depending on where the whales are.

  4. 12:00 pm

    Lunch stop

    Back on land for lunch at your own expense near the beach.

  5. 1:30 pm

    Mirissa beach and Coconut Tree Hill

    Free time on Mirissa beach and a short walk up to Coconut Tree Hill for the view along the coast.

  6. 3:30 pm

    Return to Colombo

    Drive back on the expressway, with drop-off at your hotel or home around 6:00 pm.

What’s included

Included

  • Pickup and drop-off in Colombo
  • Air-conditioned car with an English-speaking driver guide
  • Whale-watching boat ticket
  • Light breakfast and water on board
  • Expressway tolls

Not included

  • Lunch
  • Seasickness tablets
  • Personal expenses and tips

Good to know

What to bring

  • Seasickness tablets, taken before boarding
  • A hat, sunglasses and strong sunscreen
  • A light jacket for the early, windy start
  • A dry bag for your phone and camera
  • Swimwear for Mirissa beach afterwards

Not suitable for

  • Pregnant travellers
  • People with back problems (the boat can pound in a swell)
  • Babies and toddlers (several hours at sea)
  • Travellers who get badly seasick

Know before you go

  • This trip runs in the season, from November to April. From May to October most Mirissa boats stop for the monsoon.
  • Sightings are likely in season but never certain: whales are wild animals.
  • The 3:30 am pickup is needed to reach the harbour in time to board at 6:30 am.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup. Cancellations after that, and no-shows, are charged in full. If the boat does not sail because the sea is too rough, you choose a full refund or a new date. Trips that sail are not refunded if no whales are seen.

Questions

When is the whale-watching season?

Boats sail from Mirissa from November to April, when the sea is calmer. From May to October the south-west monsoon makes the sea rough and most boats stop. Outside the season, ask us about whale watching from Trincomalee on the east coast.

Are whale sightings guaranteed?

No. Sightings are common in season, but whales are wild animals and no boat can promise them on a given day.

What if I get seasick?

The sea can be choppy even in season. Take a seasickness tablet before boarding, eat a light breakfast and stay out on deck in the fresh air.

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