Searching for the Blue Leviathan and Spinner Dolphins.

There are 19 Fishing Harbours around the coast of Sri Lanka, and Mirissa in the south is one of the busiest.

Apart from the fishing boats, in all shapes and sizes, Mirissa is the main starting point for Whale-watching trips. Each day, between November and March, a small fleet of Whale-watching boats head out at sunrise for a warm morning spotting Blue Whales, Dolphins and other Cetaceans. Often turtles and dolphins are seen and even rarities like Orcas and Whale Sharks (the biggest fish in the sea).

It is a well-organised operation with comfortable boats offering plenty of shade. Life-jackets are compulsory, morning coffee, breakfast and anti-seasickness tablets are complimentary.

There can be few more pleasant reasons to go to sea than Whale-watching in these endlessly warm blue waters. Boarding a boat in a bustling fishing harbour. Cruising out of the harbour and turning seaward past the rocky promontory. The slightly bouncier water as you round the headland and feel the pleasant south-westerly winds coming off the Ocean. The calmer water further offshore. Searching the horizon for the misty breath of the surfacing whales.

Then the Leviathan itself. The long spine of blue-black rising and ploughing through the swell. The steady rise of the tail flukes and finally the vertical dive into the unknown. Leaving just a flat pool “tail-print” to still the waves for a minute.

Sri Lanka. So much more than you can see in a lifetime.

Hover over the pictures below for links to the rest of the site.

Or click on the drop-down Menu at the top of every page.