Whale and dolphin watching boat trips are one of the most popular things to do in Galle. Sri Lanka, known as the pearl of the Indian Ocean, is surrounded by the blue seas home to the largest living mammals as well as the spinning dolphins.
The southern Sri Lankan coastline is lined with beautiful beaches frequented by tourists and locals alike. The steady influx of tourism has given way for various establishments that offer accommodation such as Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort and a large number of others to open in the area. During the months of December to April, travellers can take a one and a half hour drive down from the hotel to the nearby Mirissa Harbour and embark on their nautical journey along the Weligama Bay.
Amongst the many different types of sea creatures to observe are blue whales, fin whales, sperm whales as well as the bottle-nose dolphins and spinner dolphins. The journey allows passengers to revel in some snorkelling, take a dip in the ocean and even engage in some hand-line fishing before settling down for a picnic lunch along the turquoise bay.
Whale watching and dolphin boat trips usually begin around 7:00 in the morning as in the afternoon the ocean tends to be rough. The tours tend to last a good 3-5 hours, depending on what the passengers want as well as your luck in spotting any marine wildlife. The season down south usually begins around November/December and goes on until around April. The reason behind this is that the seas are usually calmer and warmer during this time of year.
Several types of vessels are available for such tours, carrying a different range of numbers of passengers. It is advisable that you carry your sunglasses, perhaps a cap/hat and some sunscreen with you. You can capture the majestic creatures of the ocean with your camera. If you are prone to sea sickness, you should ideally take any motion sickness medication about an hour before boarding.
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.Google+