The opportunity to swim with whales is a privilege. The act of swimming with whales is an art. Every day is different on the water, and every encounter is unique. We swim with whales most days, but on some days this may only be briefly. Other days we swim for longer periods.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Next available
Fri, Oct 9
Adult (ages 18–60)
$349
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 8.
Tour Options
Snorkeling with Whales in Mirissa
Pickup included
What's included
Included
Bottled water
Snacks
Use of Snorkelling equipment
Pickup Locations & Times
We can pickup from any point around Mirissa
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.4
46 reviews
5
34
4
3
3
3
2
4
1
2
How it compares in Galle
No. 29 by number of reviews among 531 tours in Galle
Excurgo comparison of 531 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
If no whales are spotted, the booking can be reschedule
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Snorkeling with Whales in Mirissa take?
Snorkeling with Whales in Mirissa lasts about 4 hours.
How much does Snorkeling with Whales in Mirissa cost?
Prices start at $349 per person for this Galle experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Snorkeling with Whales in Mirissa run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day.
Can I cancel Snorkeling with Whales in Mirissa for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. We can pickup from any point around Mirissa
What languages is Snorkeling with Whales in Mirissa offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 10 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Snorkeling with Whales in Mirissa worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.4 out of 5 across 46 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by ZRI Adventures.
Reviews(46)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
C
Coastal43006623880
September 15, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Great whale snorkeling experience with them
Great experience snorkeling with the whales. The team was very professional and fun ! They knew how to spot the whales when going up to the surface and the right time to see them. I really enjoyed my morning out with them and would do it again
1 people found this helpful
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a great time snorkeling with the whales and enjoyed the experience with our team. 🐋
Our crew always puts a lot of care into spotting the whales and choosing the right moments to give our guests the best possible experience while respecting these incredible animals.
It was a pleasure having you with us, and we’d be absolutely thrilled to welcome you back for another adventure in Sri Lanka! 🌊
P
pamann55
May 3, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
A lifetime experience
Great, only 3 of us onboard, the guys really went out of their way to make sure we got to swim with as many whales and dolphins as possible.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the experience and that our crew made your trip special. With a smaller group onboard, we always aim to create a more personal and memorable adventure, and we’re glad you had the chance to encounter many whales and dolphins.
It was our pleasure having you with us, and we hope to welcome you onboard again for another unforgettable ocean adventure with ZRI Adventures.
M
Mariasalazar12
March 9, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
They do everything they can to make sure you spot the whales!
We were lucky to see the Pilot whales! Oshan and Sandeep did everything in their power to make sure we saw them. The booking process is very easy, they are friendly and professional. It was important for me that it was a totally animal-friendly experience which I can totally say it was. They even told us to not wear fins which I thought was excellent. We also saw dolphins from the boat.
Operator response
Thank you for your wonderful review! 🌊🐋
We’re thrilled to hear that you had the chance to see the pilot whales and dolphins — that’s always a very special experience. Oshan and Sandeep will be especially happy to know their efforts helped make your trip memorable.
At ZRI Adventures, we place great importance on responsible and animal-friendly encounters, so it’s great to hear that you appreciated our approach, including avoiding fins to ensure minimal disturbance to the marine life.
Thank you as well for your kind words about our booking process and team. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you again for more ocean adventures in the future! 😊
R
Rosatravellersun
February 4, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Totally overpriced!
ZRI hands the tour over to the local provider. On site it costs 200€ instead of 300€ ! And then didn't even see a whale.
Operator response
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We would like to clarify a few points.
The tour was not outsourced to a third-party provider. The dive center you visited is one of our sister companies and operates under the same management group, ensuring consistent standards, safety, and service quality.
Regarding the price difference mentioned, this is due to the fact that some guests booked their tour during a limited-time promotional offer. Prices may vary depending on the booking period and availability.
As for whale sightings, our team made every possible effort during your tour to locate whales. While sightings of wild animals can never be guaranteed, we were in fact able to snorkel with pilot whales during your tour, which is a rare and special experience.
We’re sorry to hear that your expectations were not fully met, but we truly appreciate your understanding of the unpredictable nature of wildlife encounters and hope you still valued the effort and experience provided by our team.
N
nastasia1990
January 25, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Great positivity!
What a great skipper staff- they were so adventerous, passionate, motivated and did everything they could do in order for us to see any sea animals! And eventually we even saw whalesharks, which were apparently a lucky strike! Thanks for this unforgettable memory and this positive attititute we experienced on your boat! 100% recommended :)
Operator response
Thank you so much for this amazing review! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the adventure and felt the passion and dedication of our skipper and crew. Seeing a whale shark truly is a lucky and unforgettable moment, and we’re so happy we could share that experience with you. Your kind words about our team’s positive attitude mean a lot to us. Thank you for recommending us — we hope to welcome you back for another adventure on the ocean soon! 🌊🦈
C
Charlie_E
January 23, 2026 · via Viator
Good, but overpriced
It was enjoyable, and we did swim with a Whale shark which obviously was very exciting, but I do think this trip is overpriced for what it is. Had the cost been less, I would have put 5 stars
Operator response
Thank you for sharing your feedback and for participating in this experience us. We’re really happy to hear that you enjoyed the experience and that swimming with a whale shark made it especially memorable — it truly is a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.
We completely understand your thoughts regarding pricing. Our trips may appear higher because we intentionally limit each boat to a maximum of four guests, ensuring a more personal, comfortable, and responsible experience. In addition, we travel far offshore into deeper waters and remain at sea for around five hours on average, which significantly increases fuel, crew, and operational costs. The price also includes all applicable taxes and fees, with no hidden charges.
Our priority is safety, ethical wildlife interaction, and quality over volume, and we believe this approach delivers a meaningful experience. We truly appreciate your honest review and hope to welcome you again in the future.
C
callumbV6001RQ
November 13, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Worth the wait
We were out there searching for hours but swimming with a 25 metre fin whale is something I’ll never forget and I’ll tell everyone I can about it. The company and the guys running it were professional, helpful and communicated efficiently. Would definitely recommend.
Operator response
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re incredibly happy to hear that you had a great time with us. It’s truly one of nature’s most magical sights. Our team will be thrilled to know their professionalism, support, and clear communication made your tour even better. We really appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for more amazing ocean adventures! 🌊🐋
J
jacklI1553II
April 21, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
An expensive gamble
Did not see any whales when I went out which was unfortunate considering the high price. Know it’s luck of the draw and the staff did a great job trying to make this a good experience. They also had a high degree of professionalism. My advice to ZRI: make the base fee lower (I.e. less than $100) and then increase the bonus fee based on the amount and types of animals you see. Paying $200 for a few Dolphins and a very bumpy ride simply wasn’t worth it to me.
1 people found this helpful
Operator response
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We truly appreciate your kind words about our team’s professionalism and effort to make the trip enjoyable.
We completely understand your disappointment regarding not being able to witness whales during your tour. As with all wildlife encounters, sightings can be unpredictable and are subject to nature’s timing. While we weren’t lucky enough to spot whales on this occasion, we’re glad you were able to see dolphins, which still offer a special moment out at sea.
We’ve carefully priced this activity to reflect the costs of operating a safe, responsible, and quality marine experience. While we understand the frustration of not seeing whales, we want to assure you that guests are always offered a couple of options if whales are not sighted on the day.
We also appreciate your suggestion regarding a results-based pricing model, and we’ll certainly take that into consideration as we continue to improve our offerings.
Thank you again for choosing ZRI Adventures. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future—hopefully with a few whales in sight!
A
alexoU6222JW
April 20, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Amazing experience
Amazing experience! We were lucky to see turtles, whales and dolphins - highly recommend. My friends and I had a wonderful time.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your kind words!
We’re thrilled to hear you had such an amazing experience and were lucky enough to spot turtles, whales, and dolphins — that’s a truly special day out at sea! It means a lot to us that you and your friends had a wonderful time.
We really appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you back for more adventures soon! 🐢🐬🐋
T
Toni D
April 20, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Turtles and dolphins
What an awesome adventure, first swimming and feeding turtles and then the boat ride to find dolphins, and dolphins we found
Operator response
Thank you for the lovely review!
We’re so happy to hear you had an awesome adventure with us — from swimming with turtles to spotting those beautiful dolphins out at sea. Sounds like the perfect day!
It was a pleasure having you onboard, and we hope to welcome you back for more unforgettable moments soon 🐢🐬🚤
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