Best time for whale watching in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is one of the few places where you can look for blue whales close to the coast. The country has two monsoon seasons that hit different coasts at different times, so the whale-watching season moves around the island.

South coast: Mirissa, November to April

From November to April, the south-west monsoon is over and the sea off Mirissa is usually calmer. Boats leave Mirissa harbour early in the morning and head to the deep water off the coast, where blue whales, sperm whales and dolphins are often seen.

• Start of the season (November): the sea can still be choppy on some days.
• Middle of the season (roughly December to March): usually the most settled weather.
• End of the season (April): often still good, with the weather starting to change.

From about May the south-west monsoon brings big waves to the south coast, and most whale-watching trips from Mirissa stop.

East coast: Trincomalee, the rest of the year

When the south coast gets rough, the east coast is usually calmer. Whale watching from Trincomalee runs for much of the rest of the year, roughly from May. Lanka Dive House plans to offer Trincomalee trips from May.

What to expect on any trip

• Sightings are likely in season but never guaranteed. Whales are wild animals and move freely.
• Trips start early, and you can be at sea for several hours.
• The open sea can be rough even on a sunny day. If you get seasick easily, read our seasickness tips before you go.

Shared or private boat?

Shared boats keep the price down; private boats give you more space and flexibility. Our guide on shared vs private whale watching explains the difference.