One of the best blue whale hotspots on the planet — a non-migratory population lives year-round in the deep waters just off the southern Sri Lankan coast, where the narrow continental shelf allows boats to reach krill-rich feeding grounds within 30-60 minutes. Peak sightings from late December to mid-March, with February-early March as the absolute highlight. Choose only licensed operators — unregulated harassment of whales is a real concern here, and boats should maintain distance and cut engines as animals surface. Swimming with the whales is illegal and any operator offering it should be avoided.
