Observation des baleines à Sri Lanka 2024-2025

On peut observer plus de 26 espèces de cétacés comme les baleines bleues, les cachalots et les baleines fines de la côte sri-lankaise. Les baleines bleues sont les hôtes les plus fréquents dans les eaux du Sri Lanka. Les sites d'observation des baleines les plus populaires sont Dendra Point, Mirissa et Trincomalee.

Dendra Point est la pointe la plus méridionale du Sri Lanka. En raison de l'étroite plate-forme continentale, les baleines peuvent être vues aussi près que quelques milles de la rive. On peut parfois les voir à 54 m (176 pi) du phare de Dendra. Dendra Point est l'endroit le plus fiable pour l'observation des baleines en raison d'une chance de 90 % de voir des baleines bleues et d'une infrastructure bien développée. Les visites à Dendra Point partent de Galle et Hikkaduwa.

Blue whales are the largest creatures to have ever lived on Earth. They primarily feed on krill, filtering massive amounts of ocean water through their baleen plates, which act like a sieve. Some of the largest blue whales can consume up to 6 tons of krill daily. Their blue-gray, mottled skin takes on a light blue hue underwater, giving them their name. While blue whales are sometimes seen in small groups, they are typically solitary or found in pairs.

Mirissa propose des excursions régulières d'observation des baleines et des dauphins. Les bateaux partent à 7h du port de Mirissa et passent trois ou quatre heures en mer. Les chances de voir des baleines et des dauphins en haute saison sont supérieures à 90%. Le meilleur moment pour observer les baleines sur la côte sud est de novembre à avril.

Une autre option est d'observer les baleines à Trincomalee, située sur la côte nord-est. La plupart des visites d'observation des baleines commencent à 6h30. Selon les conditions de la mer, il peut prendre jusqu'à 3 heures. Dans le nord, le meilleur moment pour observer les baleines est généralement de juillet à septembre.

Due to the narrow continental shelf, whales can be seen as close as a few miles from the shore here. Sometimes, they can be seen 54-m (176 ft) from the Dondra Lighthouse. Dondra Point is the most reliable place for whale watching due to a ninety percent chance of seeing blue whales and a well-developed infrastructure. Tours to Dondra Point leave from Galle and Hikkaduwa.

Mirissa is another great place for whale and dolphin-watching tours in Sri Lanka. It is a fishing village located on the southern coast between Matara and Galle. Known for its stunning scenery, unspoiled beaches, and delicious cuisine, it’s one of the most accessible spots for viewing majestic whales and pods of dolphins. The town is easily reachable from Colombo and other major cities, making it a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts.

Mirissa offers regular whale-watching excursions. Boats leave at 7 am from Mirissa Harbor and spend three or four hours at sea. The chances of seeing whales and dolphins during high season are over 90%. The best time for whale watching on the southern coast is from November to April.

An alternative option is to watch whales in Trincomalee, located on the northeast coast. Home to one of the world’s finest natural harbors, the town is celebrated as the most picturesque coastal areas on the island. Most of the whale-watching tours there start at 6:30 am. Depending on the sea conditions, it can take up to 3 hours. From May to August, blue whales remain as close as 6-8 nautical miles (about 30 min by boat) east of Trincomalee.

Trincomalee, situated approximately 2 hours from Pasikudah, is renowned for its whale-watching opportunities, with Nilaveli and Uppuveli beaches being the most frequented spots.

This pristine, untouched beach on Sri Lanka’s west coast, just north of Colombo, is ideal for spotting both whales and dolphins. Kalpitiya is renowned for its impressive pods of dolphins and sightings of sperm whales. Watching hundreds of dolphins swim alongside your boat, diving under the waves, jumping, spinning, and leaping out of the water, creates a breathtaking experience you won’t soon forget. The prime season for dolphin and whale watching in Kalpitiya runs from November to March, offering unforgettable marine wildlife encounters.