Top 5 Sri Lanka Whale Watching Tours

1.2-Day Whale Watching & Southern Sri Lanka Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 6 reviews · 2 days · from $292Our pick

Travel from Colombo to Mirissa with stops at Bentota, Galle, Hikkaduwa, and a turtle conservation centre. The next day brings a whale-watching trip off Mirissa, where blue and humpback whales may be seen. Expect a full schedule, a night in a 3-star-compatible hotel, and extra charges for both boat trips.

“Tour delle balene come immaginavamo bellissimo anche se non abbiamo avuto la fortuna di vederle in maniera plateale. Abbiamo visto anche i delfini… Consigliatissima la spiaggia di hikkaruwa dove abbiamo interagito con delle tartarughe giganti selvatiche.. visto anche piccoli squaletti… spiaggia molto bella. Autista top e per nulla invadente. Piacevole la gita sul fiume, abbiamo visto scimmie, coccodrilli, e uccelli. Noi abbiamo evitato il tempio di Buddha perché abbiamo preferito fare un bagno a mare visto il poco tempo a disposizione, era l’unica tappa sacrificabile.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Whale & Dolphin Watching Day Tour including Handunugoda Teafactory

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4 reviews · from $137Best value

Dim Tours Srilanka picks you up in a private air-conditioned car or van from Bentota and nearby coastal areas for an early trip to Mirissa. A captain and crew share information about whale behavior as you scan the water for whales and dolphins. The route also includes stilt fishermen, Galle Fort and a moonstone mine, with breakfast on the boat.

“Arrivés sur le bateau à 6h, pour un départ à 7h. Nous n'avons pas vu la queue d'une baleine, seulement quelques dauphins. La matinée sur le bateau a été un peu longue (surtout que certains passagers arrivés après nous ont eu la chaRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Whales and Dolphins Watching Mirissa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews Top rated

This private outing pairs whale watching from Mirissa with a moonstone mine visit and time at Galle Fort. A driver-guide is included; Sameera is one named driver associated with the tour. Breakfast, water, and refreshments are provided, but the boat ticket is an extra $65 per person, and lunch is not included.

“The trip was awesome, we visited a lot of cool places through the tour. We saw some dolphins and awesome shark. Unfortunately, no whales came to us.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Whales Watching Mirissa Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4 reviews · from $260

Leave Colombo or Negombo at 4:00 am in a private, air-conditioned vehicle for a south-coast day trip. The plan names Mirissa, Galle Fort, and a turtle conservation project, with coastal stops also described at Weligama and Jungle Beach. Seafood lunch and snorkel gear are included. Guide Smokio has been praised for being considerate and flexible, though your assigned driver may differ.

“Our guide Smokio was really informative, kind and considerate. Also he took us where we wanted to visit, like market and specific restaurant. Thank you to Smokio for our perfect one day in Colombo.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Whale Watching Tour with Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 4 reviews · 10 hours · from $175

Ride from Colombo, Negombo, Kalutara, or Bentota to Mirissa for an early boat trip, usually setting out around 7am. A crew member gives a safety briefing, and a marine biologist or naturalist explains local wildlife. The 10-hour outing includes hotel transfers, boat fees, wildlife fees, and a packed breakfast. Whale sightings are possible, never guaranteed.

“Driver was on time and very polite, vehicle was comfortable for the drive. The whale watching trip was good and we did get to see some whales!”

Check availability →Read our full review