Let’s discover our own country and its breathtaking sites in these columns dedicated to Discovering Sri Lanka. Before you embark on your next trip overseas on vacation we urge you to rethink if you have travelled our own country sufficiently. Discover Sri Lanka will spotlight on our own wonderful sites that locals and foreigners alike must visit – destinations that cannot be missed in your lifetime.
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While most people who visit Sri Lanka head towards the south coast or Arugam Bay on the east coast for a taste of tropical beach life, several other beach destinations in Sri Lanka remain relatively untouched.
Kalpitiya on the northwestern coast is one such destination. An exciting destination for kitesurfing and other water-based adventures, there are plenty of thrill-seeking and nature-based activities to do in Kalpitiya. If you are visiting Sri Lanka, Kalpitiya is also a great off-the-beaten-track destination to give the feel of the authentic life of locals.
Kalpitiya is a peninsula surrounded by the Gulf of Mannar, Puttalam Lagoon and the Dutch Bay. Because of its geographical location, the region receives plenty of solid, steady wind conditions throughout the year, making it the best place for kitesurfing, wing foiling, foil boarding and other water sports in Sri Lanka. Elements Beach & Nature Resort is in Kappalady, a quiet but beautiful village in the Kalpitiya peninsula, just south of Kalpitiya town. From the international airport near Colombo, it takes about three-and-a half hours to reach Elements.
Because of its relative proximity to the historic cultural triangle in North Central Sri Lanka, Kalpitiya is also a great starting and endpoint to combine ancient culture, wildlife with the beach vibe and the many watersports and outdoor activities. Kalpitiya is also famous for families of wild yet friendly donkeys roaming around freely. Sounds fun, right?
Kalpitiya is a small fishing town that started to develop into a tourist centre a few years ago. Now it is famous as a kitesurfing, dolphin and whale watching and scuba diving destination. The Kalpitiya peninsula is a 50-km—long sand strip which is home to many fishing or agricultural villages. Since the area is less developed, you can find empty wild beaches, sand dunes and plenty of mangroves.
Kalpitiya is 165 km north from Colombo. You can get here by bus or car for about 2½ hour drive. Public transport is available from Colombo to Puttalam following which you can take a three wheeler (tuk–tuk). You can also hire a taxi from the Bandaranaike International Airport. The main road which goes through the whole peninsula provides a fast route.
Getting around in Kalpitiya
Public transport is cheap, but very slow and may not be readily available. You could also use the omnipresent three-wheelers (tuk-tuks). Always agree on the price before you get in. Prices vary and it is best you get advice from your hotel about prices before you hail one.
Renting a car/van/bike could be a problem in Kalpitiya/Puttalam area. If you plan to get around with our own transport (a good idea), it’s much easier to rent one at the airport, Negombo beach area or Colombo area.
What to see
* Boat trip to see dolphins and whales
* Unique sand dunes (Alankuda area)
* Small uninhabitted islands
* Large mangroves in the lagoon
* Wild donkeys roaming around
* Wild birds
* Wilpattu national park
What to do
* Kitesurfing- Huge empty lagoons with flat water and some waves. Seasons starts in May and lasts till September. There are a few kite trip destinations, but you will need a boat to reach them.
* Diving- There are several diving operators in Kalpitiya, or diving can be arranged by better hotels, sometimes you can arrange a diving trip with the help of Colombo operators. The diving season here is from December to April.
* Dolphin and whale-watching – West of Kalpitiya, you can find megapods of dolphins most of the year, but tourist boats go from November to April only. The chance to see large schools of dolphins is the best within Sri Lanka. The chance to see whales is best in November or March/April.
There are tree kitesurfing schools operating:
* Kitesurfing lanka,+94 773 686 235. Kite school with accommodation
* Valampuri kite resort (valampuri resort), +94 776314144, [email protected]. Kite school accommodation, lessons, trips and rentals.
* Kitekuda kite camp, +94 722232952. Kite camp and accommodation
* Wind4Love Kite centre Sri Lanka, +94 71 554 0305. Kite school with accommodation
Food
There are many restaurants in Kalpitiya town and even in the peninsula as well. Some of them offer high standards and quality, while others are simple and cheap but offering the local atmosphere.
Don’t miss the local street food egg or coconut roti, you can find it in every corner.
If you want to cook for yourself, there are several new supermarkets from Norochcholai to Kalpitiya town where you can make your grocery purchasers and dive into cooking.
Accommodation
Compared to the very tourist-friendly Negombo and down South, Kalpitiya is relatively underdeveloped as far as tourism is concerned but within the last few years, finding comfortable accommodation in Kalpitiya is easy.
* Rest house in the centre of Kalpitiya- A three-bed dorm won’t cost a fortune. The restaurant serves reasonably okay food.
* Dolphin Eco View Lodge – Nice bungalow style resort on the Dutch Bay lagoon.
* Ruwala Nature & Aventure Park Resort, Kalpitiya Road, Thihaliya, Eththale (on the way from Pulatam to Kalpitiya), The resort is a fusion of a rustic eco-retreat and adventure-park on the banks of the Puttlam lagoon.
* Kalpitiya Guest House on the Muhathuwaram Road. Plenty of hammocks and opportunities to laze around. Dining areas and a cozy environment.
* Kite Bay Resort Kalpitiya, Sethawadiya. Kite lessons, island tours, snorkelling, dolphin watching available at this hostel-type place.
* Dune Towers (behind Christopher land), Alankuda Beach Rd (from Palavi-Kalpitiya main road turn west (towards Ocean) at Alankuda Junction),
* [email protected]. Family-run boutique guesthouse opened from 2022 at the coastal sand dune in the middle of coconut estates. Offers rooms, meals, large garden, dolphin and whale watching, yoga lessons and retreats, mangrove boat trips, scuba diving, Wilpattu safari, beach volleyball, table tennis.
Now you must be wondering what to do in Kalpitiya. Let’s dive in.
Kitesurfing and Wing Foiling at Kappalady beach and lagoon
Kite surfing is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Kalpitiya, as the area is known as one of the top kite surfing destinations in Asia. Over the years, tourism has grown by leaps and bounds in Kalpitiya which means that in the big lagoon there is quite some traffic in the waters. However, if you want to kite surf in a pristine lagoon in front of an authentic, little fishing village, best wind conditions and with the guidance of a great kite school, you are in lucks way. The kite school, Kite center Sri Lanka in Kappalady, right by the beach and the kite lagoons allow you to make the most of your holiday.
With flat water lagoons and steady-fast wind conditions, for about 300 days of the year, you can engage in kitesurfing, winging and foil boarding in Kappalady. Check this out if you want to know about the kitesurfing seasons in Kalpitiya.
Kitesurfing tours and safaris could also be organised to other nearby islands in the Puttalam lagoon, Dutch Bay, Portugal Bay and Vella island.
Dolphin and whale watching
Dolphin and whale watching in Kalpitiya is by far the best area to spot the spinner dolphins in large shoals. From December to April, the continental shelf of the Kalpitiya peninsula is the most promising spot to see dolphins and whales in Sri Lanka. Elements Resort organises dolphin watching tours for in-house guests. About three nautical miles off the coast from Elements Resort, you can spot hundreds of spinner dolphins in Kalpitiya. If you get lucky, another two nautical miles away, you would come across the occasional blue whale, the largest mammal on earth.
Horse riding in Kalpitiya
Elements lately celebrated the arrival of two beautiful horses – Aquarius and Buddy. The horses have been trained by the Ceylon Riding Club and have been in very good private hands. Well looked after, the horses are well balanced in character and temperament. Skilled riders can enjoy horse riding on the beach in front of Kappalady Lagoon, beginners and children can experience the feel of sitting on a horse or when guided by a skilled team member of Elements. This is one of the best things to do in Kalpitiya.
Visit St.Anne’s Church in Thalawila
One of the most worshipped and historical Christian shrines in Sri Lanka, visiting St Anne’s Church is not to miss and it’s one of the best things to do in Kalpitiya. At certain dates, the local pilgrims come here in large numbers. The history of the church dates back to the 17th century when the island was under Portuguese colonial rule. Today, Thalawila is a village dotted with palmyrah palm trees and sits next to Kappalady. In Thalawila, you can also see what looks like a lighthouse but in fact it’s the majestic St. Anns statue in front of a beautiful pristine beach. Kitesurfing trips and downwinders to Thalawila could be arranged through our in-house kite school.
Visit the Dutch Fort in Kalpitiya
A significant landmark of the Dutch East India Company during the Dutch rule in Sri Lanka, the Dutch Fort in Kalpitiya was built using limestone and coral. Used by the Sri Lankan navy today, access to visitors remains free here, but make sure to bring your passport and/or identity document.
Biking – Cycling in Kalpitiya
Biking or bicycling is one of the best ways to explore and feel the authenticity of rural Sri Lanka. The area surrounding Kappalady and Kalpitiya remains relatively untouched compared to the busy Southern and Eastern coasts of the country.
This means that you are left with plenty of rural villages to visit. Grab a bike at Elements, and go through Sri Lanka’s wild but stunning countryside. You can also pay a visit to the local markets in the area.
Scuba diving in Kalpitiya
Kalpitiya is only about to be discovered for scuba diving. Luckily the big scuba tour operators are not here yet. The many stunning dive sites and the rich fish life of Kalpitiya will make it a hotspot for scuba diving in the years to come. It is home to plenty of marine life from sea turtles, to dolphins, tuna, barracuda, moray eels, stingrays and colourful tropical fish. Elements Resort organises PADI diving courses and scuba diving tours with certified diving schools in the region. Read our blog post to know more about scuba diving in Kalpitiya.
Enjoy some beach time
Kalpitiya is home to some of the best beaches in Sri Lanka and Kappalady is undoubtedly one of the most untouched, secluded, beautiful and cleanest beaches in the area and it has the coolest and best beach bar all around by no doubt. Elements is located right at the beach, allowing plenty of time to sit back, relax and unwind. Eco-friendly sunbeds and umbrellas are available as well as a beautiful infinity pool overlooking the ocean, which is the perfect place for a mid-afternoon swim.
Kayaking and Stand Up Paddling (SUP)
The entire Kalpitiya region is home to many lagoons. The largest untouched lagoon system though is to be found in Kappalady, there is a nearly endless flatwater lagoon system surrounded by mangroves.
Rent a kayak or a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) from our watersports centre and explore the lagoons at your own pace. When the sun rises over the palms it is the best time to head out to explore these tropical backwaters while indulging in the absolute morning tranquility. At this time the lagoons come alive with chirping birds and a few local fishermen throwing their nets for the daily catch.
Bird watching and wildlife
As it remains untouched, the surroundings in Kalpitiya and Kappalady are home to abundant wildlife. Some of these include families of donkeys, while the lagoons provide feeding and nesting grounds for native and migratory birds, sea eagles, all types of herons and kingfishers. During the winter season in Europe, many migratory bird species come to the tropical countries for a warmer climate, which means that December-February is an ideal time for bird watching in the Kalpitiya region. If you make a trip up north to Mannar, you could also spot groups of flamingos in the waters.
Deep sea fishing in Kalpitiya
The traditional livelihood of most people in Kalpitiya is fishing. Being a local fishing hamlet, you could see fishermen head to the sea every morning and evening in Kappalady. If you fancy a beautiful sunset or sunrise fishing tour to bring your catch of the day could be organised.
Candlelight dinner at the Beach
The in-house beach restaurant serves authentic Sri Lankan rice and curry. The chefs organise amazing beach fire barbecues, serve authentic local rice and curry or prepare definitely the best pasta in the region.
Breakfast consists of various fresh tropical fruits. Sri Lankan staples such as appa or hoppers, bowl-shaped pancakes that could be enjoyed with a spicy onion sambal known as lunu miris and at times self-baked croissant au chocolat.
Magic coconut palm
The coconut palm is in fact a magical plant as it is, because every and anything of it could be used. It has therefore been a much-desired crop for thousands of years. And from this valuable family of plants we have one very special plant.
This is the magical triple palm tree! Among 1.2 million palm trees there is a single double tree and a tree with three crowns is even rarer! Come and visit the most unique palm tree in Sri Lanka.
-Courtesy wikivoyage
-Courtesy Eliments Beach and Nature Resort
