Fin whales are among the rarest yet most spectacular whales occasionally sighted off Mirissa, Sri Lanka. Known as the second-largest animal on Earth, fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) are fast, powerful, and highly migratory baleen whales. While not as commonly seen as blue or Bryde’s whales, confirmed sightings in Mirissa highlight the extraordinary biodiversity of Sri Lanka’s southern waters.
Mirissa’s proximity to deep offshore waters and submarine canyons places it within the migratory corridor of fin whales moving through the northern Indian Ocean. When conditions align, Mirissa becomes one of the few places in South Asia where these giants may be observed from whale-watching vessels.
The species recorded in Mirissa is the Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus), a globally distributed rorqual whale found in both temperate and tropical oceans.
Fin whales are recognised for their:
Immense size
Streamlined body
Exceptional swimming speed
Fin whales are drawn to waters off Mirissa due to:
Deep offshore feeding zones
Seasonal productivity driven by ocean currents
Krill and small schooling fish availability
Sri Lanka’s position along major whale migration routes
Although fin whales are not resident, Mirissa lies within an important transit and feeding zone during migration.
Fin whales are the second-largest whales on Earth, surpassed only by blue whales.
Average length: 18–22 metres
Maximum length: Up to 24 metres
Average weight: 40–70 tonnes
Calves at birth: Around 6–6.5 metres
Fin whales sighted near Sri Lanka are typically fully grown adults, making encounters extremely impressive.
Their massive size allows fin whales to:
Store energy for long migrations
Efficiently filter-feed large volumes of prey
Maintain speed and endurance in open ocean conditions
Their streamlined form earns them the nickname “the greyhound of the sea.”
Sperm whales have a rugged, battle-scarred appearance that reflects their life in deep, challenging ocean environments.
Fin whales display a striking, asymmetrical colour pattern:
Dark grey to brownish-grey upper body
Lighter underside
Right lower jaw is white, left side dark
This unique jaw colouring is a key identification feature.
Notable characteristics include:
Long, slender body
Tall, sharply curved dorsal fin
Flat, V-shaped head
Smooth skin with minimal scarring
When surfacing in Mirissa’s clear waters, their elongated body often becomes visible just beneath the surface.
Fin whales can be distinguished from other large whales by a combination of size, shape, and movement.
Tall, vertical blow
Can reach up to 6 metres high
Less bushy than a blue whale’s
The blow is often the first sign of a distant fin whale.
Flat, pointed rostrum
Asymmetrical jaw colouring
Sleek, hydrodynamic profile
Prominent, falcate dorsal fin
Positioned far back on the body
Visible shortly after surfacing
Fin whales:
Rarely raise their tail flukes
Perform smooth, shallow dives
Travel long distances at the surface
This fast, linear movement pattern is typical of fin whales.
Fin whales are baleen feeders that consume:
Krill
Small schooling fish
Copepods
They can consume over one tonne of food per day during peak feeding.
In Sri Lankan waters, fin whales use:
Lunge feeding
Side-rolling to exploit prey density
Fast acceleration through prey patches
Feeding usually occurs offshore, which explains their less frequent sightings compared to coastal-feeding species.
December to March
Calmer seas
Increased offshore productivity
This period aligns with major whale movements through the Indian Ocean.
November and April
Sightings are rare but possible
Sea conditions may vary
Fin whale sightings in Mirissa are opportunistic rather than guaranteed, making each encounter especially significant.
Understanding their location helps:
Set realistic expectations
Support ethical whale watching
Protect migratory routes
Far offshore waters
Depths exceeding 1,000 metres
Along submarine canyon systems
Fin whales prefer open ocean environments, unlike Bryde’s whales that feed closer to shore.
Fin whales are usually:
Solitary
Seen in pairs
Occasionally in small groups
They are less social than humpback whales and rarely interact with vessels.
Short, shallow dives
Long-distance surface travel
Brief surface intervals
Their speed and directionality make them challenging but thrilling to observe.
No. Fin whales are rare visitors, but confirmed sightings do occur.
Fin whales are smaller, faster, and have a distinctive asymmetrical jaw colour.
Yes. Sri Lanka lies within an important migratory corridor for fin whales.
Yes, when vessels follow international whale-watching guidelines.