Overview
See the largest animal on Earth on our private Trincomalee whale watching trip from Sigiriya, Dambulla or Habarana. Your English-speaking driver picks you up at about 4:00 am, so you reach the harbour in time for the morning boat, when the sea is calmest and the whales are most active.
Private return transport costs US$110 for 1 to 3 people in a car, or US$140 for 4 to 7 people in a van. A seat on a shared whale watching boat is US$40 per person, added in the booking box; a private boat can be arranged on request.
Whale watching Sri Lanka: the east coast season
The deep underwater canyon just off Trincomalee brings blue whales, sperm whales and pods of spinner dolphins close to the coast. Most people think of Mirissa in the south, but whale watching in Sri Lanka moves to the east coast from about March to August, when the sea here is calm and the southern season is over.
Trincomalee dolphin watching
Spinner dolphins are seen on most trips, often in large pods jumping and spinning beside the boat. Sightings of whales are likely in season but never guaranteed; your boat crew knows where to look and will keep searching for about three hours.
After the boat
Back on land, visit the cliff-top Koneswaram Temple inside Fort Frederick, where whales are sometimes seen from the rock, and enjoy lunch by the sea before the drive home. Read more about Trincomalee.
More day tours from Sigiriya and Dambulla
This is one of our private day tours from Dambulla and Sigiriya.
Highlights
- Trincomalee whale watching with hotel pickup at about 4:00 am
- Morning boat trip to see blue whales and spinner dolphins
- Best season about March to August
- Visit Koneswaram Temple on Swami Rock
- Private air-conditioned car (1–3 people) or van (4–7 people) with an English-speaking driver
- Transport from US$110 · boat US$40 per person
