Pixie
Sri Lanka, over the last few years, has become popular among nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts as one of the best destinations to spot whales such as the giant blue whales and sperm whales.
The two main spots that are well-known for whale watching in the country is Mirissa, located on the southern coast and Trincomalee, which is on the eastern coast.
Mirissa is mostly sought-after due to it being closer to Galle, a city that is easily accessible from Colombo. A 2.5 hour train ride along the coastline or 1.5 hour drive from Colombo will get you to Galle. From there, Mirissa is only less than an hour away. It is a very popular spot among tourists, surfers and whale-watchers and the city is constantly thriving to make it a more tourist-friendly place.
Trincomalee is where the sperm whales and blue whales tend to congregate in large scale. It is also where you have the highest probability; about 90%, of spotting whales. You can choose from either short harbour cruises, short cruises or long cruises which lasts one hour, three hours and five hours respectively.
Whale watching is usually done in the morning as the sea tends to get rough towards the afternoon and therefore, requires an early start to the day. It is recommended to arrive at the destination the previous night so as to ensure you are well rested before the big day.
In Mirissa, the whale watching season is during the winter months; November to April, while Trincomalee is preferred during summer; between the months of May and September. Therefore, it is safe to conclude that the peak months are either during December or April.
It can be quite easy to book a whale watching tour in Sri Lanka, but it's always best advised to rely on a reputed tour agency. Book a whale watching tour with one of the travel agencies in Sri Lanka like Esna Holidays.
If you have sea sickness, make sure you take your medicines at least an hour or two before you get into the boat. In case you forgot to pack them, you can easily find them in any pharmacies.
It is best to carry your own water and your favourite light snacks for the trip as you are bound to get peckish while on the sea.
Do not forget your camera and spare batteries! You will want to capture this moment and treasure them forever.
Keep yourself protected; wear and carry your sunblock lotion and sunglasses with you.
