Whale Watching & Coastal Bliss: Mirissa Escape

En-route visit to Madu river boat safari

Get up close to the nature and culture of Sri Lanka’s coastal River Madu on this shared boat safari. Travel independently to the departure point, board a skippered motorboat, and absorb the idyllic surroundings on an approximate 2-hour cruise around wildlife-rich mangroves and islands. Look for monitor lizards, monkeys, crocs, and kingfishers, stop at a Buddhist monastery set on an islet, visit a fish pedicure spa, learn how cinnamon is used in local cooking, and more—all in one effortless trip.

Visit to Turtle Hatchery

On your city tour, you will enjoy a boat ride along the Madhu River. It is a scenic tour relaxing and interesting while passing many islets forested with mangroves and experiencing the natural rhythms as well. Then visit to turtle Hatchery which gives an unforgettable experience. The Turtle Hatchery is the prime turtle nesting site which was opened by the Wild Life Protection Society in 1981. Here you can see huge tanks filled with newborn turtle hatchlings. After being fed, the baby turtles are taken to the sea and released when they are 2-4 days old, usually during the safer hours of darkness.

Visit Stilt fisherman’s 

Stilt Fishing is a traditional style of fishing practiced by local fishermen in Sri Lanka, especially on the southern coast. With a perfect balance and an insurmountable amount of patience, fishermen perch themselves on cross-shaped beams and wait for their catch of the day!

Early morning leaves for whale watching tour at Mirissa harbor

Whale and dolphin watching in Mirissa is one of the most exciting water activities you can do during your holiday in Sri Lanka. Often spotted blue whales are the biggest animals in the world and Mirissa is the best place for whale and dolphin watching tours in Sri Lanka.

Whale watching boat trip starts at 7 am – to be at the harbor at 6.30 am

(The round trip takes 3-4 hours, including whale-watching time)