Weligama Bay
Situated on the picturesque coast of Sri Lanka, the quiet and peaceful town of Mirissa is arguably the best location from which to experience whale and dolphin watching. Tours usually depart from the fishing harbour at around 6.30am and last between 3 to 4 hours subject to sea conditions. All of the official tour boats are registered with Ministry of Ports and Aviation, have insurance through Sri Lanka Insurance Cooperation and have seats/toilet facilities as well as safety equipment.
The best time to go Whale and Dolphin watching from Mirissa is between November and April. This is the breeding season when these amazing marine mammals pass through this stretch of calm water close to the southern Sri Lankan coast as they migrate between the Bay of Bengal in the southern hemisphere and the Arabian Sea in the northern hemisphere.
There are believed to be around 26 different species of Whales in this region and a 98% chance of seeing them during the breeding season. These gentle giants including Blue Whales, Bryde’s Whales, Sperm Whales, Fin Whales, Short Finned Whales, Humpback Whales, Blue Nose Dolphins and Spinner Dolphin all grace the Indian Ocean here and can be found just 8 to 10 nautical miles from Mirissa Harbour. In addition to Whales and Dolphins, you may see turtles and flying fish too.
Sri Lanka ranks in the top 2 or 3 countries in the world to see Whales and has attracted several marine research projects including those documented by The Voyage of Odyssey. Scientists have discovered that the waters around Mirissa are particularly rich in plankton (a group of microorganisms that whales feed on), so these charming giant marine animals are attracted specifically to this area, making Mirissa famous as an internationally recognised place for Whale Watching.
Mirissa itself is a quiet, hidden away, peaceful coastal town boasting unspoiled beaches, a fishing harbour and a lively nightlife with welcoming bars/ restaurants. A beautiful location from which to explore the stunning south coast of Sri Lanka.