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Legal distance rules for blue whale watching photography

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Sophia M.•8665 rep•2

I am going on a whale watching tour in Mirissa. How close are the boats legally allowed to get so I know which lens to bring.

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beacheswildlifephotography

7 Answers from travellers

✓Accepted answer

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Under Sri Lankan Coast Guard and DWC regulations, boats must stay 100 meters away from a whale, reduce speed to a no-wake crawl, and approach parallel to the whale, NEVER from behind or head-on. A 70-200mm or 100-400mm lens is perfect, as blue whales are massive. Do not support boats that chase them closer than 100m.

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Amali D.•9530 rep•1

I went on a cheap boat and they chased a whale until it dove deep to escape. It was horrible to watch.

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Oliver B.•10320 rep•2

Leave a terrible TripAdvisor review if they break the rules. It hurts their business.

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Oliver B.•10320 rep•2

Are drones allowed if I launch from the boat.

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Sophia M.•8665 rep•2

I will book with Raja and the Whales, they seem to follow the rules.

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Sophia M.•8665 rep•2

Absolutely not. Drones are strictly banned over marine mammals. It distresses them severely.

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Amali D.•9530 rep•1

If your boat breaks the rules, take a photo of the registration number and report them to the Coast Guard.

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Suresh K.•5810 rep•1

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