Do not Book Online - GO LOCAL instead for the same experience and deal for HALF THE PRICE
Good experience. Did spot fin whales … but don’t expect it to be National Geographic quality stuff that you see on images online or billboards ! You’ll see them from very far as the boats are not allowed close (which makes sense) You’ll basically see the spout so you know which direction to look and then very little movement over the water, almost like watching dolphins from a distance.
DO NOT BOOK ONLINE! All the tour operators seem to have a cut in the deal so literally no one tells you how best to go about this ! The tour operators will book the entire experience from pick up/drop breakfast on the boat and the whale watching tour for almost DOUBLE the price.
We learnt only after doing the trips through tour guides. Whatever hotel you stay at (Mirissa is where we stayed) just walk along the beach and every restaurant or shack has a tour option for every experience (whale/ snorkelling with turtles/ surf lessons/ safari’s etc). For HALF or Two-thirds the price you pay online, and it’s the same boating company like Chaminda or WWC with the same offer like pick up/drop and breakfast included on the boat for the whale watching tour.
Just go local and ask the hotel staff for directions to the best deals . Avoid big TOUR operator companies !
事業者からの返答
Thank you very much for your 4-star review! 💙 We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and had the opportunity to see fin whales and dolphins 🐋🐬.
Regarding the "National Geographic quality" expectation, we completely agree that whale watching in the wild is very different from professional documentaries. Those incredible images are captured by photographers who spend days, weeks, or even months waiting for the perfect moment with specialized equipment. If guests bring binoculars, the experience can be even more enjoyable. As this is a nature tour, every sighting is unique, and no operator can guarantee the same close-up views seen in magazines or documentaries.
We always put safety and ethical whale watching first 🌊. Our priority is not only the safety of our guests but also protecting the whales and their natural behavior. We strictly follow whale-watching regulations, maintain the required safe distance, and never use unethical methods such as sonar to locate whales. Our goal is to allow guests to experience these magnificent animals responsibly. Mirissa is one of the few places in the world where whales can often be found within about an hour from the harbor.
Regarding your comments about online bookings, we'd like to clarify a few points. There can be a small price difference between booking directly and booking through platforms such as TripAdvisor or Viator, but it is generally not half the price as mentioned.
Online platforms provide several important benefits, including:
✅ Free cancellation (usually up to 24 hours before the tour).
✅ Clear pricing with taxes and inclusions shown in advance.
✅ Verified operators with insurance, licenses, and required certifications.
✅ Genuine customer reviews to help travelers make informed decisions.
When booking through individuals or local agents, prices may sometimes appear lower, but mandatory government wildlife taxes or other charges are not always included and may be collected later. In addition, it can be difficult for visitors to verify whether an operator is fully licensed and insured.
We always encourage travelers to choose a safe, licensed, and ethical operator, as safety is far more important than saving a small amount of money. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for some agents to provide misleading information after making a commission-based sale.
Thank you once again for choosing us and for sharing your experience. We're happy you had an enjoyable day on the ocean and wish you many more wonderful wildlife adventures! 🐋💙
H
himakah
July 2, 2026
Positive
It’s was an amazing experience and the staff was very friendly and easy to talk and there customer service is outstanding so I highly recommend this service.
事業者からの返答
Thank you dear! ❤️😊 So happy you had an amazing experience with our team. Your recommendation means a lot to us. Hope to see you again! 🐋💙
S
Stella Bernadet... A
June 12, 2026
Whale watching at Merissa
Captain was very informative about whales n dolphins. We were very lucky to see both dolphins n Fin whales. Ferry was comfortable n clean. They collected our slippers n displayed them neatly after the trip. They provided sea sick tablets which we were happy to take as captain told us waters will be choppy in the Indian Ocean. Most who refused the tablet were sea sick n lay down lower deck, missing all the excitement . The crew kept busy helping everyone. They provided 2 rounds of fruit n buns , vegetarian 2 options n non veg 2 options plus water bottles. Trip was well organised n we were happy to have sighted both whales n dolphins
事業者からの返答
Aww, thank you dear! ❤️🥰 Really happy you had such a great trip with us. Hope to welcome you onboard again! 🐋💙
I
I3011QNalisonm
June 9, 2026
Don't buy in to it, it's not what you think.
The people were lovely, the boat was well equipped and clean. The food was fine.
We didn't see whales, although they were there. A mother with her baby. The whole experience was was awful, the way all the boats, and there's lots of them, chase the whale trying to get a glimpse of it. No wonder the whales keep moving, they must feel hunted. It was very sad.
I felt so foolish after. What did I expect the trip to be like? I obviously hadn't thought it through. In my mind I'd be on a lovely boat trip moving leisurely through the bay, eating my lunch, loving life, and then we would see a whale or two playing in the sea not too far away. So foolish. Instead we were in a group of boats, all hurtling through the water trying to be the first to 'spot' the whale.
We did experience dolphins playing around the boat which was magical, and sea turtles, but we did not see whales, or should I say a whales fin.
事業者からの返答
Thank you for sharing your honest feedback. We appreciate your kind words about our crew, boat, and refreshments 🙏💙.
We completely understand your concerns regarding whale watching and the number of boats in the area. However, we would like to clarify that all licensed operators are required to follow whale-watching regulations, including maintaining safe distances and respecting marine wildlife 🐋🌊. Our captains and crew are trained to follow these guidelines and avoid disturbing the animals.
Whales are constantly moving through a vast ocean, and boats must travel to the locations where sightings are reported. This is standard practice in whale-watching destinations around the world. We do not use sonar or any methods that could harm or disturb whales, and we always prioritize ethical observation.
We're glad you were able to enjoy the dolphins and sea turtles 🐬🐢, which are also wonderful parts of the marine ecosystem. While we understand that seeing only a brief glimpse of a whale can feel disappointing, this is often the reality of observing wildlife in its natural habitat.
We would also like to apologize for any noise caused by the baby on board. As this was a shared tour, we do our best to ensure a comfortable experience for all guests. However, we must also be considerate of families traveling with children, and it would not be appropriate for us to ask a mother and child to leave or move away. Thank you for your understanding in this regard 🙏.
For guests who prefer a quieter and more exclusive experience, we also offer private whale-watching tours 🚤✨. These tours are designed for guests who would like to enjoy the ocean without sharing the boat with larger groups.
Thank you again for sharing your perspective. Feedback like yours helps us continue improving both our service and guest experience 💙🐋🌊.
4
476theekshanap
April 30, 2026
Friendly and experience team
Good company and good service
事業者からの返答
Thank you so much for your kind words about our company and service! ❤️🙏
T
tcnttravelsrilanka
April 28, 2026
Highly recommend
It's fabulous I like it I highly recommend it thanks all chaminda's crew god job
事業者からの返答
We truly appreciate your kind words and recommendation for our whale watching tour in Mirissa. Thank you from all of Chaminda’s crew! ❤️🙏
N
Nadeeshani D
April 13, 2026
High recommend whale watching place
There are many whale watching places in Sri Lanka, but you are the best. I can say from my experience. I was not treated unfairly in any way. It was very good. The whales are shown very well. You make a great effort to show the whales. I respect you for that too.
事業者からの返答
We’re truly happy you joined our whale watching tour in Mirissa and had such a fun-filled and beautiful experience beyond your expectations. ❤️🙏
G
G7310GSedgarm
April 5, 2026
Super trip
Great excursion, very many dolphins seen and whales also discovered. Pickup service also worked flawlessly.
事業者からの返答
Vielen Dank, dass Sie Whale Watching Mirissa besucht haben! ❤️🙏 Wir freuen uns sehr, dass Ihnen der Ausflug gefallen hat, Sie viele Delfine und sogar Wale sehen konnten und unser Abholservice reibungslos funktioniert hat. Wir hoffen, Sie bald wieder für ein weiteres unvergessliches Abenteuer auf See begrüßen zu dürfen!
I
Ian_D
March 29, 2026
Good cruise and good value but safety instructions poor.
The time given by Viator when booking (0700) did not correspond to the time given by the company (told to be there by 0615 for an 0645 departure though we were sailing by 0640.
No security instructions given on board as to eg where life jackets were to be found so rather disconcerting.
Food provided as stated except for the tea or coffee (though that would have been very difficult to drink).
Only one toilet for men and women so long queues.
Crew really did make an attempt to see a whale as cruise was scheduled for 3-4 hours and we were out for 7 hours. So maybe best not to plan anything else in case that happens.
Crew did tell passengers if anything seen on the right side then only passengers on the left should stand up (and vice versa). But instructions only in English and perhaps singala but as many people spoke neither language it had no effect and many stood up. So not great for safety. So on safety grounds I wouldn’t recommend but cannot vouch for other companies.
P
pc1911
March 22, 2026
Fun whale watching with friends!
Good experience while in Sri Lanka. With polite and professional staff on board, we were in the waters till every one of us was able to spot the whale. They took care of F&B, gave us bags in case we threw up, and carried medication including those for sea sickness.
事業者からの返答
Thank you for joining our whale watching tour in Mirissa! We’re glad you had a good experience and appreciated our polite, professional staff who ensured everyone could spot the whales while taking care of food, drinks, and sea sickness needs. ❤️
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