Being an island that is in the middle of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka gets many visitors – both humans as well as animals. The whales at Mirissa are such visitors who frequent the ocean around the island during the months of December to April. Thus, whale watching in Mirissa is among the things to do in Kalutara, Galle, and the vicinity. There are several species of whales to be seen here. They include sperm whales, killer whales, Bryd’s whales as well as fin whales. On a good day, you will also be able to see striped dolphins, common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins and Risso’s dolphins. There are other sea creatures you might happen on as well, like turtles and varieties of fish.
The good thing about spending your vacation on an island as small as Sri Lanka is that you can cover several areas from one fixed spot. If you want to go whale watching – which you must – it does not matter whether you are staying at Anantara Kalutara Resort, within the Galle Fort, or right next to the Mirissa harbour. You can take part in the activity. However, you must take care to opt for a responsible tour group to go with. There are some guides who ignore the need of personal space of these creatures. Then there are certain visitors who demand that they are taken closer to the whales or let down into the waters to “Swim with dolphins”. None of these activities are allowed during your tour, and you must inform the authorities if you see humans disrupting the sea creatures. As visitors, you are responsible for ensuring that your money and your patronage goes to an ethical company. After all, we are the ones invading the home of the whales and the dolphins.
Filled with wanderlust that seeks to explore distant shores and captivated by the colors and vibrancy of exotic cultures, Kanya Mae writes on the beautiful, exciting, and enchanting wonders of the world. She is a writer who not only has a passion for travel, but also has a background in fashion, art and media.