Surrounded by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is ranked as the number one place in the world to see the planets largest ever creature – the Blue Whale. This is thanks to the very high encounter rates experienced off the coast of Sri Lanka, with the continental shelf being only some 3miles out from Mirissa, this provides the perfect conditions for spotting these amazing giants.

It’s not just the Blue Whale you’ll experience when whale watching in Sri Lanka. The island also boasts the highest encounter rate in the world for Sperm Whales – the largest toothed predator. A wide array of dolphin is also usually spotted, including the Bottlenose, Spinner and Striped dolphin.

Sri Lanka’s whale watching season runs from November through to April and offers an excellent chance to spot the amazing marine life.

If you’re looking to spot the majestic Leopard then Yala National Park is one of the best places on the planet to see the predator thanks to its very high population density. The amazing creatures can also be spotted in Wilpattu National Park which is located close to the historic city of Anuradhapura.

Plenty of big game animals can also be spotted across the island so a safari trip through the likes of Yala National Park (Yala is home to over forty varieties of mammal and two hundred species of bird!) is highly recommended if you’re looking to encounter an amazing array of animals.

Witnessing the stunning spectacle of “The Gathering” in Minneriya National Park is a must for any wildlife lover.

During the summer months up to three hundred Sri Lankan elephants converge on the grassy plains of Minneriya National Park, in the north central region of Sri Lanka, drawn to the area due to its food, water and shelter. The experience is a highlight of many of our travellers and is highly recommended!

Minneriya is also a paradise for birdwatchers, with painted storks, grey herons, grey white pelicans, lesser adjutants, Sri Lanka jungle fowl, brown-capped babblers calling the park home, just to name a few.