Mirissa Whale Watching: Small Group Tour on Queen Whale

Summary

Mirissa’s wild blue mornings whales dolphins & tea on deck

You’ll set out from Mirissa on Queen Whale with Captain Manoj and a small group, searching for whales or dolphins while sipping hot tea and sharing laughs on deck. There’s time for swimming in open sea and breakfast under the sky. Even if you don’t spot whales, you’ll remember that salty air and honest company long after.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the sound — not the engine or the waves, but someone laughing softly in Sinhalese as we stepped barefoot onto the Queen Whale in Mirissa. There was this faint smell of salt and pineapple from the breakfast baskets, and Manoj, our captain, gave us a nod that felt like he’d done this a thousand times (turns out, he actually has). The boat’s bigger than I expected — roomy but not crowded at all. They could pack it full, but instead it’s just forty-something of us leaning over railings, mugs of tea warming our hands while the sun tries to burn through morning haze.

I kept scanning the water for whales — you know how you think you’ll spot them right away? Not quite. Manoj told us quietly there’s only about a fifty-fifty chance. He said it almost like an apology, but honestly I liked that honesty. We did see dolphins though — so many! They zipped past in little groups and everyone started pointing and grinning at each other, even strangers. At one point someone tried to say “spinner dolphin” in Sinhala and totally butchered it; Manoj just laughed and shook his head. The air tasted sharp and clean out there, nothing like land.

About halfway through they stopped for a sea bath — which is basically everyone jumping off the side for a swim. The water was colder than I thought but felt good after sitting in the sun. I still think about floating there with my ears underwater, hearing nothing except my own breath. Breakfast was simple: egg sandwiches, sweet bananas, pancakes sticky with syrup — nothing fancy but somehow perfect when your hair’s full of salt.

I didn’t see a whale this time (some people did last week), but honestly? It didn’t feel like missing out. There’s something about being out there with people who care more about not chasing animals than ticking boxes. If you’re looking for a whale watching tour in Mirissa that feels real — not rushed or overcrowded — this is probably it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Whale watching boat tour in Mirissa

• Board luxury catamaran "Queen Whale"
• Enjoy whale and dolphin watching
• Stop mid-tour for 30-minute sea bath
• Return to shore after boat safari

Top questions

What are the chances of seeing whales on this tour?

The chance of seeing whales is around 50% according to Captain Manoj.

Are dolphins usually spotted during the trip?

Dolphins are seen about 90% of the time during these tours.

How many people are on board Queen Whale?

The boat can fit 150 but they limit tours to 45 people for comfort.

Is breakfast included on the whale watching tour?

Yes, breakfast includes egg sandwiches, fried sausage, banana, pineapple and pancake.

Can you swim during the tour?

Yes, there is a stop mid-tour for swimming in the sea (bring your own clothes).

Who is the captain of Queen Whale?

The captain is Manoj, who has over 25 years’ experience sailing locally.

Is this an ethical whale watching tour?

Yes, they do not chase or disturb whales; sightings depend on natural behavior.

Are seasick tablets provided?

Yes, seasick tablets are included if needed.

What’s included

Your morning includes bottled water, coffee or tea served fresh on board Queen Whale, seasick tablets just in case you need them (I did), plus a simple breakfast with egg sandwich, fried sausage, banana, pineapple and pancake before heading back to Mirissa after your swim stop at sea.