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Safety rules for ethical whale watching on the East Coast

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M
Michael R.•5690 rep•2

We are in Trincomalee for whale watching What are the legal safety distance rules the boats must follow to protect the whales

26
beacheswildlifesafetytrincomalee

5 Answers from travellers

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Under the Department of Wildlife Conservation guidelines, boats must maintain a minimum distance of 100 meters from the whales. They must reduce speed to a no-wake crawl and approach parallel to the animal. It is highly illegal to approach head-on or cut off their path. Ensure you book with a large, reputable operator in Trincomalee or use the official Navy boat tours.

23
N
Nayani W.•6805 rep•2

Are drones allowed if I launch from the boat

47
M
Michael R.•5690 rep•2

Do not book the small fiberglass speedboats. They are the ones that constantly harass the animals and break the rules.

29
C
Chaminda D.•4965 rep•2

If the captain starts revving the engine to chase them, yell at him to stop. Tourist pressure works.

27
S
Samantha L.•7840 rep•2

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

2
N
Nayani W.•6805 rep•2

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