Travel Hikkaduwa

"During the season, a Blue Whale is easier to see to the south of Dondra, than a leopard in Yala", so says Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, one of Sri Lanka's leading wildlife experts. Sri Lanka's south coast between Galle and Mirissa may be one of the most reliable sites in the world for seeing Blue Whales and Sperm Whales, two of the most sought after marine mammals, as well as large pods of Long-snouted Spinner Dolphins. In fact, it may even turn out to be the best location in the world for seeing both Blue and Sperm Whales together. The calm seas between December and April offer an outstanding opportunity for observing Blue and Sperm Whales close to shore, with sightings peaking in November and April due to the seasonal migration of the whales.

The Blue Whales are seen in three locations off the coast of Lanka–Mirissa, Kalpitiya and Trincomalee. Mirissa being the prime spot out of the three, sandwiched between the towns of Weligama and Matara, is a 35 km or one hour drive south of Galle.

The Sri Lankan Navy is pioneers in the whale watching industry with their safe practices and the ship 'Princess of Lanka' is scheduled to sail on every Wednesday and Saturday at 0700 hrs from Naval Base at Galle harbour.