Mirissa offers a few very different ways to get in the water, from swimming alongside whales to a gentle, family-friendly snorkel with sea turtles, right through to certified scuba diving on the reef. Here’s how each one works, so you can pick the right fit.
Whale Snorkeling
Our Whale Snorkeling trip pairs a scenic boat cruise with a guided, in-water snorkel alongside blue and sperm whales, at a safe, respectful distance of at least 15–20 metres. Basic swimming confidence is recommended, and every trip runs in small groups with an experienced guide. It runs on the same November–April season as our whale watching tours, with February to April typically offering the clearest water.
Snorkeling with Turtles
A more relaxed option, our Snorkeling with Turtles trip heads out to a turtle feeding site just off Mirissa. Life jackets are provided, so non-swimmers can safely take part, and the guide keeps a respectful distance (1–2 metres) so the turtles aren’t disturbed. It’s a good fit for families or anyone who’d rather ease into snorkeling.
Reef & Fun Diving
If you’re a certified diver and want to go beyond snorkeling, our Fun Diving trips run daily to Mirissa’s reef dive sites, with single dives, two-tank morning trips, night dives and refresher sessions all available. This is scuba diving rather than snorkeling, so it requires a recognised certification (Open Water or higher). Never dived before? Our Discover Scuba Diving trip is a guided, 1:1 first experience that needs no certification at all.
Which Snorkeling Experience Is Right for You
- Want to swim with whales? Whale Snorkeling — basic swimming confidence needed, available November to April.
- Snorkeling with kids or non-swimmers? Snorkeling with Turtles — life jackets provided.
- Already certified to dive? Fun Diving — reef sites, no snorkeling involved.
- Never dived before but curious? Discover Scuba Diving — no certification needed, 1:1 guided.
Safety & What’s Included
Every one of these trips includes life jackets or full equipment as standard, and is led by an experienced guide or a PADI/SSI-certified instructor. Whale Snorkeling and Snorkeling with Turtles both maintain a respectful distance from marine life at all times.
Compare full pricing across every tour on our pricing page, or head back to all packages to see everything we offer.