The 15 Best Whale Watching Trips in Sri Lanka

1.Whales and Dolphins Watching-Luxury Super Grade Cruiser(Hotel Pick up offered)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,268 reviews · from $65Our pick

Morning whale and dolphin cruise from Mirissa with Galle pickup, a restroom-equipped cruiser, breakfast, and small-group comfort up to 40.

“Firstly and in fairness - we did see whales. Two fin whales swimming together and they were beautiful to watch. However, the trip itself was very disappointing. Firstly, we booked for collection in Galle and heard nothing and, so I chasRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Whale Watching Mirissa with ( WWC )

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 252 reviews · from $55

Early 6 am whale watching from Mirissa on the Queen Whale catamaran with snacks, breakfast, a swim stop, and ethical spotting focus.

“This was an excellent tour . Manoj and his team were great, courteous and kind . They provided tasty snacks and we go to see many dolphins , turtles and a Fin whale. Well done 🙏🏼🙏🏼👍🏼👍🏼”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Whale Watching Mirissa with Eagle Eye

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 128 reviews · from $70

See blue whales from Mirissa on a stable trimaran with pickup, breakfast, snacks, Wi-Fi, and safety gear, early in the day.

“Watching whales is not guaranteed to have recognized a whale from a distance three times by the water fountain. Lots of dolphins in groups and a few turtles were there to see.Auto-translated”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Sports Boat- Private Whale Watching Trip( free breakfast & paid pick-up)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 93 reviews · from $700

Private sports boat whale watching from Mirissa near Galle, with breakfast, naturalist commentary, fast rides, and responsible spotting for groups up to 8.

“Great whale, dolphin and turtle spotting experience. Wonderful staff and an excellent, clean boat. We had a whale of a time :)”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Whales Watching and Navy Island Snorkeling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 81 reviews · 5 hours · from $84

Whales and dolphins offshore, then guided Navy Island snorkeling in Trincomalee with free underwater photos. 5-hour small-group tour.

“No whales and not likely it seems, lots of dolphins though. Good safety on the boat and snorkeling. Could have been clearer on the snorkeling so we knew where the group was going and being picked up.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Whale & Dolphin Safari Tour with Expert Guides

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 53 reviews · 1 day · from $71

Trincomalee whale and dolphin safari on a small speedboat, early morning chances for blue whales, dolphins, turtles, plus temple views.

“Trincomalee Whale Watching at Its Best, Safe, Scenic, and Spectacular! From start to finish, this whale watching tour in Trincomalee was outstanding. We left early to catch the sunrise and soon after saw a pod of spinner dolphins followed by a giant fin whale! The boat was clean and comfortable, and the staff made us feel so welcome. Loved the eco-conscious approach and small group size. If you’re in Trincomalee, don’t miss this magical experience!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Snorkeling with Whales in Mirissa

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 42 reviews · from $348

Small-group whale snorkeling from Mirissa, Sri Lanka. Search for blue whales, swim when conditions allow, with gear, snacks, pickup.

“The individuals were friendly and the excursion well organised. However, they indicate a 90% success rate with the whales, which I think is a misrepresentation. I went during peak season, and they hadn't seen a blue whale for a couple oRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Dolphin & Whale Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 37 reviews · 2 hours · from $40

Early morning dolphin and whale watching from Nilaveli near Trincomalee, with expert crews, safety gear, and real chances to see blue whales.

“Great activity. Loads of Dolphins, unfortunately no sighting of wales, but then again I understand it was out of season”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.All Inclusive Mirissa Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 29 reviews · 4.5 hours · from $90

Dawn whale and dolphin boat ride from Kotapola near Mirissa, with hotel pickup, snacks, water, and 4.5-hour cruising.

“Kaikki järjestelyt toimivat todella hyvin. Henkilökunta oli myös todella mukavaa porukkaa. Iso suositus tälle matkanjärjestäjälle!”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Whale & dolphin Watching Boat Tour with Breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 8 reviews · from $71

Mirissa whale and dolphin watching from Mirissa Harbour with breakfast, bottled water, fruit, and safety gear. 3 hours.

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Whale & Dolphin Watching Tour in Trincomalee | Scenic Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 8 reviews · from $30

Whale and dolphin watching off Trincomalee from Nilaveli. 3-hour cruise with safety gear and water, strong dolphin odds, weather matters.

“Wasn’t deep sea fishing and kept taking the line off my son everytime he caught something. Guide spoke zero English”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Great Whales Education Programe Dolphins and Whales are in SL

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $25Best value

Learn about Sri Lanka’s dolphins and whales in Matara with a 1-hour education program, tea and snacks, plus local souvenirs.

“We were book Great Whales education programme month of May 2025. At that time live Dolphins and Whales watching by boat was not operating due to bad weather conditions. The according to our understanding Great Whales education Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.2-Day Whale Watching & Southern Sri Lanka Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 6 reviews · 2 days · from $292

Two days of whale watching off Mirissa plus Bentota river wildlife, Galle Fort, beaches, turtles, and temple stops, with small-group guiding.

“The tour was everything I had expected and envisioned it to be - we had a very friendly and knowledgeable guide, who explained to us certain histories and information about the places we passed, or was going to. He made sure we were well settled into our hotel for the night, and was ready to help us at any of the other excursions. I really enjoyed the river cruise - as I did not know what to expect, and saw the amazing wildlife the mangroves had to offer us! My only complaint is that the hotel room we stayed at had very little air conditioning, and the room and bathroom…”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Whale Watching Experience in Mirissa

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · from $70

4-hour whale watching from Mirissa with tuk-tuk pickup, snacks, and a crew searching for whales, dolphins, turtles, plus more sea life.

“Well organized and good crew. Had a good ride and got to see some dolphins but unlucky as we couldn’t site whales today.”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.1 · 5 reviews · 6 hours · from $70

Mirissa whale watching cruise from Kotapola with hotel pickup, life jacket, English guide, and breakfast. See blue whales if conditions cooperate.

“It was ok and we did see a little bit of a whale, but was underwhelming - I may have expected too much.”

Check availability →Read our full review