How to spot a Blue Whale in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is famous for many things, and whale watching is one of them. Surrounded by the sea, this island is a major tourist destination that attracts tourists from across the globe. Tourists are offered a unique set of activities and expereinces. Along the coastline are several resort towns that offer various attractions. The southern part of Sri Lanka is known for whale watching.

1. Sri Lanka as a beach destination

It's no surprise that Sri Lanka is loved by beachgoers. Nothing is more inviting to a tourist than the Sri Lankan coastline combined with the Indian Ocean. The island is known for offering unique experiences, which include whale watching, and more specifically, blue whale watching. Blue whales are the biggest creatures in all of the world. This magnificent creature is, unfortunately, an endangered species. This is due to the abhorrent practice of whale hunting. Whale watching Mirissa Sri Lanka is particularly popular with tourists. Many hotels and resorts, including places like Heritance Ahungalla, arrange whale watching trips for their guests.

2. When to go whale watching

You can see nearly ten different marine life species off the southern coastline of Sri Lanka; this includes humpback, Bryde's, sperm and minke. You can also see a range of dolphins. You have the best chance of seeing these creatures during the period of late November and mid-April. To see the humungous blue whale, the interval between February and mid-March is the best time – what makes this possible is the migratory crustaceans named krill. Blue whales are known to survive on them while they roam the ocean. If you want to throw a wildlife safari into the mix, the months of February, March and May are the best time. The period from December to January is the high season; however, the Sri Lankan coastline is crowded during this period. If you don't like the idea of crowded beaches, visit between February and March, the season that brings the best chance of seeing blue whales.

3. Where to go whale watching in Sri Lanka

The southern coast of Sri Lanka isn't the only place where you can go whale watching, though it is the best place. You can get to this part of the country by train from Colombo. Galle and Mirissa are popular whale-watching destinations. Galle is a UNESCO Heritage Site that offers not only whale watching but also a collection of cafes, hotels and boutiques. The famous Dutch Fort is another highlight of Galle.

4. Other wildlife wonders

Only a few tourists visit Sri Lanka for whale watching and miss out on other wildlife adventures in the country. Sri Lanka is dotted with many national parks where wildlife species thrive. Yala National Park is a wildlife sanctuary found in the southern part of the country, known for its high concentration of leopards. Due to its convenient location, tourists can combine whale watching with a safari tour in Yala. In addition to leopards – the main attraction of the park – the park is also home to sambar deer, sloth bear, wild buffalo and elephants. The best time for a Yala National Park safari is the period from late May to September, the dry season in Sri Lanka. This is also the hottest period of the year, so bring your sunscreen and a sun hat. Make sure you pack some light clothing for your wildlife adventures. Udawalawe National Park is another wildlife reserve famous for its elephant population; you can also see a selection of migratory and endemic birds here. Wilpattu National Park is another idea for your Sri Lankan wildlife adventures.