Here’s a detailed guide to whale watching in Mirissa, Sri Lanka — when to go, what to expect, what it costs, and tips to get the best experience.

What & Where

• Mirissa, on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, is one of the prime places for seeing large whales (especially blue whales) because the continental shelf drops off sharply just a few nautical miles out to sea. That brings deeper, nutrient‑rich waters close to shore, which attract whales and dolphins. 

• Departures are from Mirissa Harbour (Fisheries Harbour). 

Timing / Season

Schedule & What Happens on a Trip

• Normal departure time: about 6:00 ‒ 7:00 AM from the harbour. You’ll need to arrive ~30 minutes earlier. 

• Duration: approximately 3 to 5 hours, depending on how far whales are, sea conditions, etc. 

• What the tour includes: safety briefing, life jackets, sometimes morning tea / light breakfast, snacks, water. Boats are usually shared, some operators offer private / larger boats. Restrooms on board in many cases. 

What You Might See

• Blue whales (often the highlight) — among the biggest animal species in the world. 

• Sperm whales, Bryde’s whales, fin whales etc. Depending on season and luck. 

• Dolphins (spinner, bottlenose etc.), sometimes flying fish and turtles. 

Prices & Costs

• General cost for a shared whale watching trip (adult) is about US$ 40‑50 (or roughly LKR 5,000‑10,000 depending on the operator, season, and inclusions). Children often discounted; very young children sometimes free or lower fare. 

• Additional costs might include wildlife taxes, transfer from hotel to harbour etc. Some tours include breakfast & snacks. 

Things to Check / Choose Wisely

• Ethical / sustainable operators: those who respect distance, don’t harass whales, minimize noise, follow regulations. Some operators list their practices.

• Safety features: life jackets, boat conditions, crew experience.

• Weather & sea conditions: early morning is best; if sea is rough, sightings and comfort will suffer.

• What’s included: food, water, insurance, speed / size of boat.

• Cancellation / refund policy: in case no sightings or weather issues. Some operators allow rescheduling. 

Tips to Make the Most of It

• Stay in Mirissa the night before your whale trip so you’re ready early.

• Bring sunscreen, hat, sunglasses; light clothing; a jacket if it’s windy on the water.

• If you are prone to seasickness, take medication ahead of time. The early morning sea is calmer, but still can rock.

• Camera + binoculars help. A zoom lens is useful since whales may be some distance off.

• Be patient. Wild animals aren’t predictable; sometimes you see a lot, sometimes less.

• Respect the marine life. Don’t shout, avoid loud noises, avoid throwing garbage etc.

If you like, I can pull up a list of well‑reviewed operators in Mirissa (names, phone numbers, prices) so you can choose in advance. Want me to do that?