Pick-up from your hotel
To Mirissa harbour.
~15 min
Whale and Dolphin Watching in Mirissa
Sail at dawn to look for blue whales and spinner dolphins with a responsible operator.
One day. Unforgettable.
Overview
Mirissa is one of the best places in the world to see blue whales. Head out at dawn with a responsible operator to look for blue and sperm whales and pods of spinner dolphins.
Tour highlights
- Blue whales, the largest animals on Earth
- Sperm whales and Bryde's whales
- Pods of spinner dolphins
- Sunrise over the Indian Ocean
- Breakfast on board
- Flying fish and seabirds
- Responsible, no-chasing operators
- Total tour time
- ~6.25 hrs (06:00–12:15)
- Road transfers
- ~30 min
- Sailing out & back
- ~2–2.5 hrs
- Whale & dolphin watching
- ~2.5–3 hrs
Timed around the best light and the smallest crowds
How your day unfolds
-
06:00
-
06:30
Depart Mirissa harbour
Sail out to the deep water beyond the continental shelf, breakfast on board.
~1 hr -
07:30
Experience
Whale & dolphin watching
The crew scans for blows and pods; boats keep a respectful distance.
~2.5–3 hrs -
10:30
Sail back to the harbour
~1–1.5 hrs -
12:00
Transfer to your hotel
~15 min -
12:15
Back at your hotel
Afternoon free: Coconut Tree Hill, Parrot Rock or the beach.
We'll collect you from your hotel
Pick-up points & travel time
| Starting from | One-way travel | Pick-up | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mirissa | ~10 min | 06:00 | As shown |
| Weligama | ~15–20 min | 05:45 | |
| Galle / Unawatuna | ~45 min | 05:30 | |
| Hikkaduwa | ~1 hr | 05:15 | |
| Bentota | ~1.5 hrs | 04:45 | Long early start |
Before you go
What to bring
- Seasickness tablets (take them the night before and the morning of)
- Hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
- Light jacket for the early start
- Waterproof bag for your camera
Good to know
- Whale watching runs Nov–Apr only. Trips can be cancelled in rough seas.
- Sightings are likely in season but never guaranteed.
- We use operators that keep their distance and don't chase whales.
- Times are a guide and may shift with traffic, weather and the group's pace.
Optional add-ons
- Coconut Tree Hill at sunset
- Beginner surf lesson in Weligama
- Galle Fort in the afternoon
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