FAMILY ADVENTURE - Whale of a Time
Spot the giant mammals by the coast of Mirissa
The lustrous Pearl of the Indian Ocean -Sri Lanka is home to two
of the giant species namely the elephant and the whale. Every year, the island
nation bears witness to these gentle giants migrating from one end of the
country to the other. Between November to April, Mirissa, located on the
southern tip of the island, sees an abundant population of whales as they
migrate downward. The reclusive nature of these creatures make them a rare and
a rather treasured sight. Mirissa's warm and calm current, abundance of food
source and well-developed infrastructure as per the international
whale-watching norms, mark a 90 per cent chance of spotting at least one
species. No wonder, many wildlife enthusiasts from over the world flock to
Mirissa to go whale watching. Visitors have a chance of spotting a school of
killer whales, sperm whales, bride whales, pigmy killer whales, sei whales,
sperm whales, orcas (killer whales), dolphins, flying fish, turtles, manta rays
and whale sharks too.Although, blue whales are more abundant in nature and easy
to spot too. In some instances, whales may also leap out of the water, into the
air, and fall back into the water making for an awe-inspiring spectacle. Photos
and videos captured of such moments can be treasured.
But that's not all. Situated between Galle and Matara, Mirissa's
crescent shaped beaches make it a tourist spot that it is. If you've had enough
of Mirissa, head to the quiet fishing town of Weligama, a popular destination
with the surfers. Weligama, deeply rooted in the local culture, offers an
unadulterated local charm. Besides, the numerous local delicacies offered at
the many seafood shacks make it a food lover's paradise.
Furthermore, take back a piece of history along with the natural
delights that the country has to offer; head to the Galle Fort, on a half-day
guided expedition. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, a few hours away from
Mirissa, wraps together a spellbinding mix of Dutch, Portuguese and British
history along with Sinhalese flavours.
You must not miss a chance to visit the Unawatuna Beach. The
blue hue of the waters here is so mesmerising that tourists sit by the sea for
hours while basking in the sun.
Nov 02 2017 : The Economic Times (Mumbai)
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