Safety rules for ethical whale watching on the East Coast

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Michael R.5690 rep2

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

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5 Answers from travellers

Accepted Answer

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.

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Nayani W.6805 rep2

Are drones allowed if I launch from the boat

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Michael R.5690 rep2

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

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Chaminda D.4965 rep2

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

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Samantha L.7840 rep2

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

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Nayani W.6805 rep2

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