Sri Lanka, a tiny island paradise, boasts of the world’s longest and finest whale watching season in any part of the world. The speciality of Sri Lanka being Blue Whales has a sighting period that extends from March to August in Trincomalee and December to April in the small town of Mirissa. In both these areas, blue whales, sperm whales and dolphins, be it spinner dolphins or bottlenose dolphins can be seen in large numbers. Sometimes sightings of even 200 or more have been seen at one spot.
Travel just 6-8 nautical miles from Trincomalee and you can spot these magnificent creatures of the sea. With the world’s 5th largest natural harbour, famed Koneswaram Temple, hot water springs and its association with the legend Ramayana, Trincomalee has more than enough attractions on land to delight any tourist. The added chance to watch wonderful whales is the cherry on the cake. In fact the rocky outcrop on Koneswaram Temple has the fame of being the world’s best on-shore whale watching sight.
Your encounters with whales and dolphins will be very close and many have enjoyed spontaneous performances by the dolphins, untamed friends of the sea doing stunts for our entertainment. The site is also great for snorkelling and scuba diving, which means you can experience more of the rich and colourful marine life that is unique to this country.
Many tour operators as well as the Sri Lankan navy offer cruises to watch the whales, ranging from luxury to more modest choices. However it is important that you choose one that is not only cost effective but also is authorized to engage in such activity. Responsible tourism in this case is very important not only for your safety but to also ensure the survival of these endangered creatures.
You can always ask your hotel to arrange a cruise for you or opt for one of the many sri lanka tour packages. There are many Sri Lanka tailor made tours that can be arranged for your specific needs. Shanti travel Sri Lanka is among the island’s foremost tour operators with strong emphasis on eco tourism.
Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry. Google+