Whale watching in Mirissa – Everything you need to know

“Stefan I'm feeling so drowsy and dizzy!”

You also would after having taken a couple of seasickness pills, but it's worth it.

Whale watching in Mirissa, Sri Lanka, involves going out on a boat on some pretty choppy waters – prime ground for seasickness. The result? We saw two blue whales, several dolphins, and even a pair of turtles mating! Not bad for our first-ever whale-watching safari…

Mirissa is located on the southern tip of Sri Lanka and is where the whale watching tours start, thanks to the many blue whales heading to these waters to feed. Scientists have noticed that the waters around Mirissa are particularly rich in plankton (a group of microorganisms that whales feed on), so Blue Whales (and other kinds of whales) are attracted to the destination. These charming giant marine animals have made Mirissa so famous that it is now an internationally recognized place for whale watching and also where we rate to be one of the best places in the world for whale watching.

In this article, we describe our whale-watching experience in Mirissa and give all the practical information to help you plan your trip. But our big takeaway advice? Be sure to take your seasickness pill before that boat ride sets off!

When is whale watching season in Sri Lanka?

The whale watching season in Sri Lanka runs from November until April when the waters around Mirissa are relatively calm. During the rest of the year, it's monsoon season and the waters become too rough for the boats.

November to April is also when the whales migrate from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere in Mirissa. The waters around Mirissa during these months are a prime feeding ground for whales, hence its popularity.

The most common whales you're likely to spot in Mirissa in the November-April season are blue whales. You may also get lucky and also see sperm whales, humpback whales, and Bryde's whales. For us, the blue whale was the one we wanted to see in the wild…this is a creature whose tongue alone can weigh as much as an elephant!

Where to stay in Mirissa

Mirissa offers a wide variety of accommodation options, from budget to luxury. Whether you are looking for a hotel close to Mirissa Beach or hidden away in the hills with splendid views, you will find it. Below are the places we love because they fit every budget and have a unique charm.

All of these hotels will be able to help you with booking your whale-watching tour either by email before you arrive (recommended for the peak months of December/January), or when you're there in person.

What is the cost of a whale-watching trip in Mirissa?

The whale-watching tour costs around $50-70 if you pre-book it online with a company like GetYourGuide or Viator. The advantage of doing it beforehand is that you've secured your spot and have it all ready for when you arrive in Mirissa. This is particularly important during the high season months of December and January when tours get booked out pretty quickly.

Alternatively, you can book it in person when you arrive, which works out slightly cheaper. For example, the most reputable local company offering whale-watching tours is Raja & the Whales which charges $54 for adults and $27 for 5-11-year-olds (under-5s are free). This includes the local government tax, breakfast, water, snacks, and a professional photo souvenir.

What's the duration of a whale-watching trip?

The trips usually depart early in the morning around 6:30 am and usually take a few hours to go out and another few hours to return. On average the round-trip tour takes around 4-5 hours but can take longer if the boats have to head further out to spot whales.

If no whales are spotted after several hours of searching, the boats have to head back. In this instance, we highly advise booking with a company that offers a partial refund or the chance to go on another tour for free.

Which company to choose for your whale-watching trip?

There is a vast choice of whale-watching tour companies in Mirissa, all of them charging more or less the same price. However, we strongly advise booking with an ethical company that practices responsible whale watching.

So, for example, many companies will try to get close up to the whales, which frightens them and stresses them unnecessarily. A good ethical tour company will keep a careful distance from the whales to prevent this from happening.

One of the best tour companies we found that prides itself on being ethical and responsible is Raja & the Whales. We initially found them on Tripadvisor when searching for a good tour company. But a quick Google search of whale-watching tours in Mirissa will almost always lead to these guys because they are renowned for their excellent conservation efforts.

What animals do you see on a whale-watching tour?

The highlight of any whale-watching tour in Mirissa is, of course, whales! Specifically blue whales. But you're also likely to spot quite a large number of other gorgeous beasts during your boat ride. Here's a summary of what you can expect to see:

• Blue whales: the largest ever creature to have existed on our planet. They're huge, measuring almost 100 feet (30m) in length and upwards of 200 tonnes – far bigger than any dinosaur! Seeing them in the wild in Mirissa is a truly incredible experience.
• Orcas: orcas are toothed whales and the largest member of the dolphin family. They have long, rounded bodies, which have white patches on the underside and near the eyes. They also have distinct dorsal fins on their backs.
• Sperm whales: the largest of the toothed whales and also the largest toothed predator. They're incredible divers – they can hold their breath for up to 90 minutes and go as deep as 3,280 feet (1,000m) searching for squid. They're recognizable because they only have one blowhole, (baleen whales have two), which is at the front of the whale's head (while most whales' are further back) and also placed slightly to the left.
• Bryde’s whale: named after Norwegian commercial whaling pioneer Johan Bryde (pronounced “BROO-dus”). These guys are baleen whales, belonging to the same family as blue and humpback whales. Their distinct feature is three long ridges on the top of their heads,
• Whale sharks: they're not sharks! They are the world's largest fish and a very slow-moving one! Whale sharks swim at a speed of around 3mph. They share similarities to whales in their size and the way they feed – filter feeders!
• Bottlenose dolphins: the most common dolphins you'll see in Mirissa. They have a short, thick snout, hence their name. They are generally grey/black on top and grey/white on their belly. They have curved mouths which makes them look like they're smiling all the time.
• Striped dolphins: another common type of dolphin you're likely to see chasing your boat in Mirissa. They are instantly recognizable from the dark grey stripe that runs from their beak, above the eye, across the flank then down to the underside of their body.
• Green turtles: the largest species of shelled turtles and the second largest of all sea turtles. They grow up to 4 feet (122cm) long and weigh up to 350 pounds (160kg). On our boat trip, we saw two turtles adorably mating on the water's surface!

How to spotting blue whales

The way your guides spot blue whales is extremely fascinating. It's all about following their breathing pattern!

Remember, whales are mammals, not fish. So unlike fish, they have lungs instead of gills. This means that they have to take in oxygen from the air (like us!). They hold their breath in their lungs to then dive down for food before rising to the surface to release/spit out the old air through their blowhole and then gulp in a new breath. Repeat.

Blue whales can hold their breath underwater for an average of 30 minutes before they have to surface for air. When they surface, they then stay onshore dipping in and out of the water 3-4 times, breathing in and out. Then they take one last final long breath before making that beautiful dramatic money shot dive back down to search for food.

Can you snorkel with whales in Mirissa?

It is illegal to snorkel by yourself with whales. You need official government permission to get in the water with the whales. This territory is heavily protected, and for good reason! Just don't even think about doing it by yourself as you not only risk getting into a lot of trouble but also risk stressing and upsetting the whales.

There are a handful of companies offering diving or snorkeling tours but we urge you to query if they have a government permit to allow this. It's regarded as a very irresponsible activity locally. Put it this way, a good ethical whale-watching company like Raja & the Whales will steer clear of offering snorkeling tours in Mirissa waters, which says a lot!

How to deal with sea sickness?

Whether or not you think you suffer from seasickness or not, just take a few seasickness pills on the morning of your whale-watching trip, around 1-2 hours before getting into the boat. I am very sensitive to boat movement, Stefan less so, but we've both had previous diving trips ruined because of this. Take it from us, just take these pills and everything will be fine!

We've heard stories of some travelers hating their whale-watching trip because they spent most of the boat journey vomiting and feeling miserable!

You can buy sea sickness pills from any local pharmacy in Mirissa. A good brand to use is Avomine.

Other things to do in Mirissa

The main thing people head to Mirissa for is, of course, whale watching! There are, however, several other awesome things to do here, which we've set out below:

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