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Venture into the ocean to see the giants

Sri Lanka, known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and diverse marine life. Among its many natural wonders, the opportunity to witness majestic whales in their natural habitat stands as a truly awe-inspiring experience.

Venturing into the ocean through the South, West, and East coasts of Sri Lanka unveils an experience that mere words can barely describe. Here, you will encounter nature’s grandeur in the form of blue whales, fin whales, and sperm whales. Picture this: these magnificent creatures, with their colossal tails raised high above water, swimming gracefully on the surface before diving into the depths. As they move, they punctuate the air with plumes of water, an enchanting symphony of nature’s wonders. Some whales, with an almost artistic flair, breach the surface, their immense bodies soaring into the air before gracefully reuniting with the ocean, creating splashes that resonate like applause from the sea itself. These moments, painted against the backdrop of the endless ocean, will be etched in your memory, and their magnificence will be immortalised through the lens of your camera.

Best Places for Whale Watching

Whale watching on the South Coast

Among the best places for whale watching, Mirissa on the South Coast of Sri Lanka is a hub for those in search of these oceanic giants. From this charming beach town (Mirissa Harbour), whale-watching tour boats venture into the ocean, promising a front-row seat to nature’s spectacle.

You can travel to Mirissa with Cinnamon Air via Koggala domestic airport. We offer both scheduled and charter flights to Koggala which gives access to Mirissa in 45 minutes from Colombo.

Whale watching on the East Coast

Trincomalee, noted for pristine Sri Lankan beaches and the natural harbour, is the town on the East Coast from which you can venture on whale-watching tours, into the ocean to witness these awe-inspiring creatures in their aquatic playground.

Cinnamon Air provides both scheduled and charter flight options to Trincomalee from Colombo. A flight to Trincomalee approximately takes 50 minutes from Bandaranaike International Airport.

Whale watching on the West Coast

For whale watching on the West Coast of the island, the ocean adjacent to Kalpitiya offers another opportunity to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

Best Times for Whale Watching in Sri Lanka

  • South Coast: The months from December to April offer the best chance to catch these marine marvels in action.
  • East Coast: From March/April to August/September, Trincomalee’s waters come alive with the presence of these magnificent creatures.
  • West Coast: The period between November and March/April (when the monsoon takes its leave) is the ideal time to experience the splendour of these gentle giants.

How to Get the Whale-Watching Experience in Sri Lanka

For those who crave an up-close encounter with these majestic beings, there are many ways to get the whale-watching experience in Sri Lanka—you can travel to Mirissa, Trincomalee, or Kalpitiya. Although these towns are situated hundreds of kilometres from Colombo, you can easily reach them (you can fly to the South Coast, specifically the Koggala airport, to quickly access Mirissa, and you can fly to Trincomalee via the Trincomalee airport) with Cinnamon Air scheduled flights and charter flights while enjoying mind-blowing aerial views of Sri Lanka. (By the way, you can also fly to Batticaloa on the East Coast if you would like to explore more of the exotic features in that part of the island.)  From any of those towns, you can embark on a boat tour, offered by numerous operators.

Things to Remember Before Getting into a Whale-Watching Tour Boat

  • Among the things to remember before getting into a whale-watching tour boat, selecting a safe and reliable boat operator with a vessel of significant size (avoiding fishing boats is recommended) is important. Since smaller boats will be more susceptible to undesired movements due to waves, venturing into the ocean on a larger vessel will provide a smoother experience.
  • Before venturing into the ocean, being prepared for sea sickness will be a smart choice. If you are prone to be seasick, be sure to use appropriate medications before the tour begins.
  • Keep plenty of drinking water because you will need to be hydrated, and many of the operators may not have a supply of drinking water aboard the vessel.
  • As the temperatures and sunshine can fluctuate during the tour, wearing layers (so that you can remove some if you get hot) and applying sunblock can keep you comfortable so that you will be able to enjoy the marvellous spectacle of the whales.
  • Since you will experience a substantial glare from the reflecting sun rays from the ocean that will surround you, make sure that you pack your sunglasses before you embark on the tour.
  • Wear comfortable shoes with a good grip.
  • And yes, if you have a telescopic lens for your camera (or smartphone), keep it handy because you are in for a mind-blowing show.

Whale Watching from Above with Cinnamon Air

In addition to touring by boat, there is a way to elevate your whale-watching experience even further: whale watching with Cinnamon Air. Imagine soaring through the skies, above the endless expanse of the ocean, and witnessing these oceanic giants from an unparalleled vantage point. Cinnamon Air offers a unique scenic flight that brings you astonishingly close to these magnificent beings. With a fraction of the time a boat tour takes, you can relish the spectacle from the comfort of the skies, without the uneasiness that sometimes accompanies ocean voyages. Cinnamon Air may also coordinate with groups that track whale movements to increase your chances of observing the wonder of these awesome creatures in the sea. This transcends the ordinary experience of whale watching in Sri Lanka, promising a perspective that is truly memorable.

A journey to witness these creatures is a journey into the heart of nature’s wonders, where majesty and luxury converge. From the deep ocean to the boundless skies, the experience unfolds as a celebration of the extraordinary that is found in Sri Lanka. With Cinnamon Air, the magic of these moments is brought closer and made more accessible than ever before. So why merely watch, when you can watch in absolute luxury and wonder?

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