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The whale watching season in Kalpitiya and Mirissa is in full swing by January every year with whales and dolphins parading their presence in the Sothern and North-Western oceans of Sri Lanka.
In the oceans around Kalpitiya sperm whales, Blue Whales, pigmy sperm whales and pilot whales gather in large pods of fifty to hundred members, some in water as shallow as 30 meters, with large concentration gathering around Dutch reef. The whales are accompanied by large pods of Spinner Dolphins who could be found within a just one hour boat ride from Kalpitiya harbour. Other than the most common, the spinner dolphins, other species including Risso’s Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin and Striped Dolphin too makes appearance although not as frequently or in such large numbers.
Meanwhile Blue whales, Bryde´s whales, Sperm whales, Fin whales, bottle nose dolphins, common dolphins and spinner dolphins grace the waters of Southern Seas of Sri Lanka from Weligama to Mirissa and can be found within just eight to ten nautical miles from Mirissa harbor.
Mirissa is an ideal destination for those who wish to catch a rare glimpse of those beautiful and gentle giants of the Cetacean Order. Situated at the southern coast of Sri Lanka from beyond Mirissa coast lies the Indian Ocean its vast majesty right up to the Antarctic land mass. It comes as no surprise that these amazing marine mammals migrate through the vast and fertile stretch from December to April during the annual breeding season. Mirissa itself is a quiet and peaceful coastal town boasting unspoiled beaches.
Sri Lanka is situated within the International Whaling Commission's protected zone in the Indian Ocean. Of the 80 species of cetaceans observed and identified worldwide, 26 are found in the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal, which we can access freely.
Sri Lanka now has become one of the Hot Spots in the world for sperm whales, and blue whale sightings. Sri Lanka is also fast becoming a popular destination to see spinner dolphins, bottle nose dolphins, common dolphins, striped and risso’s dolphins. The blue whales are frequently seen in South and West Coasts of Sri Lanka, which is a part of their migration pattern. Dondra point Mirissa is the best place for such sightings in Sri Lanka, where highest probability of seeing whales and dolphins are a guarantee!
It is an exhilarating, enlightening and life-changing experience to see these miracles of the ocean face-to-face.
Sri Lanka Coast Guards assures a safer season of whale watching at Mirissa.
With the whale watching season in Mirissa being in full swing and many local and foreign tourists gathering to the Mirissa harbor, The Sri Lanka Coast Guards had increased their vigilance in monitoring the implementation of Sea Mammals Observation, Regulation and Control Regulations.
To ensure that the Regulations are adhered to by boat operators and tourists engaged in whale watching, the members of the Coast Guard base had been observing whale and dolphin watching activities in Mirissa since last year. The coast guards also make sure that the boat operators; crew and the tourists abide the safety precautions and regulations before and during their tour of observation.
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