One of the best places to go to spot these amazing creatures are the waters near such Southern beaches as Hikkaduwa and Mirissa. With a recently opened expressway linking Colombo to the city of Galle, it takes just a little bit over an hour to reach the sun kissed beaches and great waves in the south coast of this Island nation.
Mirissa is well known for whale watching activities. It is located close to the Hikkaduwa beach area known for its rave nights and nonstop parties during the tourist season. There are many boat-based expeditions that are provided to visitors and the best time to go there is between the months of November and April. This is the time when the seas are calm and there are lesser waves making it a wonderful setting to spot these giant species. There have been many instances when tourists have sighted humpbacked whales, blue whales and sperm whales in the region. There have even been occasional instances when massive species between 40 feet and 60 feet have floated ashore.
An added bonus for outdoor enthusiasts is the many schools of long snouted spinner dolphins that most often swim along with the boats, making it an even more memorable experience. To indicate the frequency at which these creatures can be seen in this area, it is said that it is easier to spot blue whales in Dondra and Mirissa than spotting a leopard in the Yala National Park during the season!
For any visitor planning on a whale watching tour, there are many beach hotels in Sri Lanka where one can stay at in the south coast region. Staying at a Hikkaduwa hotel makes for an ideal base from which to set out on such tours and one such accommodation option is the recently built Chaaya Tranz Hikkaduwa that provides its guests an unforgettable holiday by the beach.
