Whale Watching in Mirissa, Sri Lanka
The sea off the South coast from Dondra Head is one of the best places in the world to see Blue Whales and Sperm Whales. The continental shelf is at its narrowest near Dondra Head, the southernmost point in Sri Lanka. As a result both Sperm and Blue Whales can be seen relatively close to shore. December to April are good months in which to observe whales. There is a theory that the numbers may be higher in December and April because of a migration of whales passing by during those months.
Getting There
Wild Life
in April, sightings of Blue Whales are almost certain, for those setting out from Mirissa, Sperm Whales are seen in deep water. Other marine mammles to be seen include Long-snouted Spinner Dolphins. With the advent of the South-west Monsoon (May to September) large numbers of seabirds can be observed. These include Pomarine Skuas, Flesh-footed and Sooty Shearwaters and vaious species of Petrels and Terns. For snorkelling, Unawatuna Beach is good. Hikkaduwa has a number of dive operators.
Park Accomodations
The coastal strip from Galle to Mirissa has a very wide range of accomodation from simple guest houses to up-market boutique hotels and villas. The area around Galle has the greatest concerntration of stylish boutique hotels and villas in Sri Lanka.
Source: Sri Lanka National Parks & Reserves by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, published by Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.’
