Imagine you are sitting on a boat with nothing around you but the blue waters of the ocean stretching as far as the eyes can see, and suddenly, you see a humpback whale breaching and spouting water from its blowhole, just existing freely in its natural habitat. Just the idea of witnessing something like this may feel like a dream, but the truth is that many places worldwide have become famous as whale-watching destinations where you can see these majestic creatures without disturbing them in the wild.
Whale-watching is a safe water activity, and it needs to be done responsibly. According to the World Wildlife Fund, six out of 13 great whale species are endangered or vulnerable, and it is essential to preserve their species by not disturbing them in their natural habitat. Hence, strict guidelines for whale watching have been created by several organisations to promote ethical and safe whale watching. The destinations mentioned below are where you can witness whales in their natural habitat, breeding and nursing their young ones without disturbing them. However, it is crucial to remember that the tour operators you choose for your whale-watching expedition prioritise the whales’ safety over everything else.
Mirissa, Sri Lanka
The humpback and the blue whales are what you can see when you head to Mirissa, a quaint town on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Several tour boats operate from Mirissa, taking hopeful whale-watchers off the coast to spot these beautiful whales. The biggest mammal on Earth, the blue whale, can be observed from December to March. You can even see Bryde’s whale and sperm whales swimming in the water while looking for the blue whales.
While Mirissa is the top spot for whale-watching in Sri Lanka, Galle and Trincomalee have special whale-watching tours organised by the Sri Lankan Navy! You can even spot whales from the shore at Dondra Head, the Southernmost point in Sri Lanka, just 20 km from Mirissa.
How to reach: Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport is the closest to Mirissa, roughly 92 km away.
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