Whale Watching by air

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Overview

Whale watching by air in Sri Lanka – A win-win for the whales and you.

At Fozoo Travel we always seek out sustainable ways in which Sri Lanka and its magic can be explored. With the waters off Sri Lankan being considered some of the best in the world to see all kinds of whales, the demand for whale watching tours have been staggering. Kalpitiya, Trincomalee and Mirissa all offer a multitude of whale watching excursions. Unfortunately this means heavy traffic in those areas frequented by whales.

A lot of travellers are put off by the experience when you see far too many boats and the environment is being polluted by fuel fumes, smoke and noise pollution. More importantly, all this traffic is distressing to the gentle giants and maine life in general. This is why Aerial tours for whale watching are a spark of genius!

Flight details

We work with a provider that offers two Cessna 172 aircrafts and engage in whale watching excursions that are safe for both you and the whales. Flights operate from Koggala airport (arrivals/departures via Koggala Air Force Camp) with scheduled flights starting from, 8.00 am to 3.30 pm

Ticket cost per person is $150 ($100 per kid between age 3-14) and the flight will be 45 minutes.

All content here is courtesy of pir partner F-airways.

“Long advocated by marine biologists, the aerial tours have the benefit of not disturbing whales in their natural habitat, which is a worrying trend in Sri Lanka, where dozens of vessels chase down whales and create a large stress burden for the world’s largest mammals, in addition to marine pollution from lubricants and fuel. As compared to a 4-5 hour trip by boat, the aerial excursion takes just one hour and can also operate when sea surface conditions are not ideal for boat journeys” – Daily FT

“Whales are generally located between 5 to 15 nautical miles (8 to 25 km) off the coast and as we fly overhead amidst a cluster of tourist boats below – also on the same whale-watching expedition – we spot a blue whale. The boats are closing in like a race, the fastest to get there gets the best (camera) shot. We drop down to 700 feet and clearly see a large, majestic blue whale squirting water as it breathes on the surface of the water. As everyone up and down scramble for their long-range cameras, another one is spotted. Then at different times, single and whales moving in groups are spotted or breaking away probably due to the sounds, gliding through the turquoise blue waters. It’s easier to see them from the top as small aircrafts are less noisy than boats. As a boat nears one, the whale takes a huge dive and sinks into the ocean without a trace. Sanjaya says it would take 10 to 15 minutes for that creature to surface again because it dives to the depth of the ocean before rising.” – Sunday Times

To find out more about Whales, and the amazing work done by Sri Lankan Marine Biologist, Asha De Vos, please visit Oceanswell: www.ashadevos.com

Sigiriya Village Tour

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OVERVIEW

Discover the secrets of Galle Fort on a fascinating tour with Shanjei

The Galle Fort is a visual metaphor for Sri Lankan history. Ancient Sri Lankan culture collides with colonial architecture in ways that can only be described as mystical. It is why this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a favourite among tourists coming to Sri Lanka, today and in days past. Our Galle Fort Tours are carried out in partnership with Shanjei.

Shanjei is a former advertising executive from Colombo who quit his job after being intrigued by the magic and mystery Galle Fort had to offer and a desire to not be confined to the concrete jungle of Colombo. His tours are interactive, fun with decidedly less history and more story. Want to learn more about the little nooks and crannies that make Galle Fort less a fort and more a home for its many residents? What about the many cultures that mingle seamlessly within the fort’s confines? Its people? Then this tour is for you.

Standard Tour

90 min tour: The best way to get a quick outlook on the UNESCO world heritage site. This conversation will bring you highlights that best suit your interest in the fort. From Architecture, culture to people, this walk touches all aspects that best define and describe the fort.

Extended Tour

150 min tour: The session covers colonial History, its effect on our Sri Lankan people, the comedy that surrounds colonization, detailed insights on the history of the fort and how it has evolved to be the living site it is, a brief brush with craft and trade and all this ends with the perfect ice tea/ice cream or a sundowner inside the fort.

Night Tour

The night is when the Fort becomes calm and lit up. Walk the cobblestone roads that glitter under the moonlight while having conversations about the Colonial era. You’re lucky if you bump into a ghost, listening to black comedy wielded by a storyteller. Torches for light sabers and you’re guaranteed to feel like a Jedi time-traveling through the 17th Century. Ask yourself, are you afraid of the Dark? This walks end with homemade ice cream or a beer at a layman’s bar which tells an interesting colonial story. Walks starts at 7pm

Galle Fort Tour

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Kitulgala is a small town in the wet zone rainforest areas of Sri Lanka. Although it is located in one of the wettest places in the country, it is famed for its stunning beauty, adventure sports and outdoor camping. The Academy Award-winning The Bridge on the River Kwai was filmed on the Kelani River near Kitulgala, although nothing remains now except the concrete foundations for the bridge (and, supposedly, the submerged train cars that plunged into the river in the climactic scene).