Sri Lanka is a paradise when it comes to whales and the east coast is no different! Here we look at Trincomalee whale watching plus loads more information!
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Whales & Dolphins 4 Hour
This is the best current Trincomalee whale watching experience as it is a decent amount of time on the boat, provides breakfast, and includes pick-up and drop-off to your Trincomalee hotel. Check it out right here!
- The Best Trincomalee Whale Watching Tours
- Whales & Dolphins
- Whale Watching Boat
- Whales & Dolphins
- Whale Watching Catamaran
- Whale Watching Yacht
- What Can You See Trincomalee Whale Watching
- Trincomalee Whale Watching Season
- General Information About Trincomalee Whale Watching
- Photography Advice
- Where To Stay In Trincomalee
- Other Things To Do In Trincomalee
- What To Take On Your Trincomalee Whale Watching Experience
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Packing List Essentials
The Best Trincomalee Whale Watching Tours
Whale watching anywhere in the world usually means that you have to book yourself onto a scheduled activity and this is the same for Trincomalee whale watching.
If you are looking for more general information about Trincomalee whale watching then scroll past our top recommendations which is where I go into much more detail about this gorgeous spot!
Read More: Whale Watching In Mirissa – The Best Place To See The Whales In Sri Lanka
Whales & Dolphins
This is a short 2-3 hour Trincomalee whale watching experience that has a maximum of 8 people on each boat. It’s a small boat that is nice and close to the water so you will be as close to the whales and dolphins as you are allowed to be!
Of course, only having 2-3 hours means that you have less time to see the whales but it also means that it is the cheapest Trincomalee whale watching tour available. Check out prices and availability here!
Key Information
- Tour Duration: 2-3 Hours
- Pickup Included: No
- Age Suitable For: All
- Need To Take: Camera
- Start Time: 6 am
- Tour Pace: Medium
Read More: 5 Day Sri Lanka Itinerary – JAM PACKED!
Whale Watching Boat
This is another very short Trincomalee whale watching activity which is around 2 hours long. If you are pressed for time then this may be the best option in this list. They will attempt to find the whales and get there as fast as possible.
At 2 hours long, you’ll be back at the harbour around 8 am with the entire day ahead of you. There really isn’t a better option to maximise your available time for other activities. Click here to see more information!
Key Information
- Tour Duration: 2 Hours
- Pickup Included: No
- Age Suitable For: All
- Need To Take: Camera!
- Start Time: 6 am
- Tour Pace Fast
Whales & Dolphins
This 4-hour Trincomalee whale watching activity offers hotel pick-up and a decent amount of time on the water! It is also one of the only tours on this list that offers complimentary food on board.
I think that 4 hours is a better amount of time to be on the water to maximise your chances of seeing whales in Trincomalee. It is also less expensive than some of the 2-hour tours on this list so for me this is a no-brainer!
Key Information
- Tour Duration: 4 Hours
- Pickup Included: Yes
- Age Suitable For: All
- Need To Take: Camera
- Start Time: 6 am
- Breakfast Included: Yes
Read More: The Best Elephant Safaris In Sri Lanka!
Whale Watching Catamaran
This is a very different type of experience than any of the previous Traincomalee whale watching tours on this list. It is 7 hours long but you only spend around 3 hours looking for whales and the rest of the time is spent swimming in a beautiful bay and eating freshly prepared breakfast and lunch.
Three hours is still a similar amount of time to the other tours for whale watching so you will have the same chance of spotting the whales but additional activities are also included. This comes with a slightly higher cost but if you are looking for a whale watching tour as well as a cool chill day on the waves then this is a fantastic option! Check it out in more detail here!
Key Information
- Tour Duration: 7 Hours
- Pickup Included: No
- Age Suitable For: All
- Need To Take: Swimwear
- Start Time: 6:30 am
- Lunch Included: Yes
Whale Watching Yacht
This is essentially the exact same tour as the one above. It is a 7-hour luxury Trincomalee whale watching tour with both breakfast and lunch served on board with stops to swim and snorkel as well as whale watching in the morning.
Both this and the Catamaran tour above are great options for anyone looking for a complete experience. Click here to see if this amazing yacht is available for your dates!
Key Information
- Tour Duration: 7 Hours
- Pickup Included: No
- Age Suitable For: All
- Need To Take: Swimwear
- Start Time: 6:30 am
- Lunch Included: Yes
Read More: The Complete Guide To Yala Safaris – MUST READ
What Can You See Trincomalee Whale Watching
Blue Whale
This is the most common whale whilst whale watching in Trincomalee and anywhere else in Sri Lanka for that matter. That doesn’t mean that you’re definitely going to see one but you have a really good chance! They spend most of the year down off the south coast but make their way up to the east coast as the year progresses.
Sperm Whale
Sperm whales also like to make an appearance in Trincomalee and they may actually look even more spectacular than the bigger blue whale. This is because you can see more of a sperm whale whilst they are on the surface whilst a blue whale, even though they are much bigger, hide most of its body underwater.
Read More: The Definitive 7-Day Sri Lanka Itinerary
Brydes Whale
These smaller whales are quite a common sight in Sri Lanka but no less spectacular when you see one. They spend most of their life quite close to the surface so that is going to maxmise your chances of seeing one even more!
Dolphins
Trincomalee whale watching tours often agree that the chance of spotting a whale is around 50%, however, that shoots up rapidly to a 90% chance to see dolphins. This means that even if you are not lucky with the whales you should still see some dolphins up close!
Orca
Everyone knows the famous killer whale but these are exceptionally rare sightings for Trincomalee whale watching tours. If you see one of these then let me know in the comments section below!
Trincomalee Whale Watching Season
Best – July
The best months to jump on a Trincomalee whale watching tour are from June – September, This is when the whales are starting to come up from the south to the east coast.
It is generally agreed that the best month is July as this is when the whales are here in their greatest numbers.
General Information About Trincomalee Whale Watching
Mirissa has always been the place in Sri Lanka to see whales and for good reason; you’re almost guaranteed to see the whales down there. You can see from our guide and video how good it is.
Because Mirissa had such a monopoly on whale watching, nowhere else really pushed it that hard as they could not compete with such high chances.
However, Trincomalee is trying to be the exception and push whale watching as one of its main activities. It may be slightly harder to see the whales here but if you’re in Trincomalee, it’s the only choice you have.
Sea Sickness
The Indian Ocean is NOT a calm ocean, there is always going to be a medium swell at the least. If you get even mildly seasick then get yourself some sea sickness medication and take it 2 hours before you get on the boat.
You are able to buy seasickness from any pharmacy in Trincomalee.
Photography Advice
I know the shot that you’re looking to get, the tail high up in the water as it dives deep into the water. Well, luckily this is very easy to prepare for!
Basically, whales do this epic tail swoop as they dive vertically down to find their prey. You can tell when a whale is about to dive deep as their backs will come up and down 2-3 times before they commit to the dive. Your guide will be able to tell you exactly when they are going to do this.
Then, simply, get your camera ready and snap as the tail comes up high out of the water!
You will need to have a decent amount of zoom as you are not allowed to get super close to the whales due to the law.
If you don’t have a camera then I HIGHLY recommend the Panasonic Lumix ZS70K. It is an affordable point-and-shoot camera that can be picked up and used by anyone of any ability. The camera captures gorgeous images and surprisingly excellent video whilst fitting in your pocket. The main difference between this and your phone’s camera is that it also has an incredible optical zoom so you won’t miss any of the shots you need to take. Check it out here.
Where To Stay In Trincomalee
Other Things To Do In Trincomalee
Snorkel Pigeon Island
Jump on this 4-hour activity up to Pigeon Island where all of your equipment will be provided and you will get to snorkel the best spot in all of Trincomalee. Check out prices and availability here!
Dutch Bay Beach
Trincomalee has some of the nicest beaches in all of Sri Lanka and, as Trincomalee is less visited than the south coast, the vibe is much more chill and relaxed. Remember to check the beach out and maybe catch up on some sunbathing!
Diving
There are plenty of diving companies in Trincomalee that will take you to some of the best spots in Sri Lanka. You can learn to dive here or experienced divers can hire equipment and a guide for a good price.
Even More Things To Do
There are loads of things to do in Trincomalee so check out this blog for even more great suggestions.
What To Take On Your Trincomalee Whale Watching Experience
Here is a list of all the things that I think you should be taking on a Trincomalee whale watching experience. In the end, I have also added some essential travel accessories that I think all travellers should have!
Our Top Pick
If you don’t have a camera then I HIGHLY recommend the Panasonic Lumix ZS70K. It is an affordable point-and-shoot camera that can be picked up and used by anyone of any ability. The camera captures gorgeous images and surprisingly excellent video whilst fitting in your pocket. The main difference between this and your phone’s camera is that it also has an incredible optical zoom so you won’t miss any of the shots you need to take. Check it out here.
Our Top Pick
Don’t even think about stepping out in the sun without protection! This factor 50 sun cream from Sunbum is vegan, reef-safe and smells like summer, as well as being dermatologist approved! It’s non-greasy, easy to apply and doesn’t leave a white cast so you can quickly rub it in and get on with your adventures! Take a look on Amazon here.
Our Top Pick
If you need some sunglasses then take a look at our recommended pair right here. Kev has just done 7 months without a pair because he couldn’t find any he liked on the trip and it was just a lot of complaining about the sun. Don’t be a Kev… Find out the price of not being a Kev right here.
Packing List Essentials
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Trincomalee Whale Watching Worth It?
The chances of seeing whales in Trincomalee are around 50% per tour. If you will be going to Mirissa during your trip then definitely go whale watching there. If not, then Trincomalee is still very worth it.
When Should I Go Trincomalee Whale Watching?
The best month is July however you can go from June – September.
How Long Is A Trincomalee Whale Watching Tour?
They range from 2-7 hours although the whales are not that far away from the harbour so you shouldn’t be on the boat for too long.
That’s our entire guide to Trincomalee whale watching! Let us know if this was helpful or if there is anything else we can add to make this article even better!