Kitesurfing Sri Lanka, Kalpitiya
"The 'Secret Spot' (Vela Island) is the best place I've ever ridden by a long way! A boat ride mission through the bay or downwind with your crew and experience blow-dryer smooth wind a kilometre-upon-kilometre of butter-flat water!"
Craig Cunningham, Duotone pro rider
GREAT FOR:
Riding large expanses of warm, flat water with a very laid back cultural experience that’s unique among kite destinations.
THE LURE
Kalpitiya has steadily increased in popularity among kiters of all levels in recent years thanks to its huge lagoons, reliable windy seasons and adventurous downwind routes.
Flat water’s the key attraction around Kalpitiya and the hairdryer-like winds turn the warm, chest-deep lagoon into a natural cable park! There’s also some onshore wave riding across the sandbar at Donkey Point, as well as 100 kilometres of downwind-able space to investigate!
THE SET-UP
Kalpitya Lagoon, otherwise known as ‘Big Lagoon’ is just outside Kalpitiya town and it's the most popular kite spot in the area. Conditions are best in the dry season between November and early April when the northeasterly trade winds blow through. That time of year is very popular with beginners and freestylers alike because of the consistent and warm winds that turn the chest-deep lagoon into a perfect kiters' fun park.
Kappaladay Lagoon is close by and is a bit smaller, but turns on in the southwesterly winds that blow from May until early October. Both lagoons are enclosed and protected from the open ocean and there are rescue boats operating (not that you should need them because the wind isn’t offshore). The lagoons are free of rocks / obstacles and, although there can be the occasional sharp shell lurking in the shallows, most people don’t bother with wetsuit boots.
Both lagoons are enclosed and protected from the open ocean, but there are rescue boats operating to make things extra safe.
Photo / Kitesurfing Lanka
Photo / De Silva Windresort
Photo / Kitesurfing Lanka
Experienced riders should consider a trip up to Vella Island where you can camp overnight on an uninhabited island, before riding downwind back to Kalpitiya through crowd-free lagoons. It's only reachable by 4x4 and then boat, but Kitesurfing Lanka run daily trips to Vella as well as twice weekly overnight camping trips during the summer.
Kitesurfing Lanka also organise a weekly crew downwinder to Puttalam lagoon during the summer season and, for the really adventurous, they offer a 200 kilometre downwind trip from Mannar back to Kalpitiya with an overnight stay in the Wilipatu National Park. You’ll be accompanied by a safety boat with food, water and spare gear if you need to change kites along the way.
If you're looking for a shorter downwind experience, KiteWorldWide run weekly downwinders from the north end of Kalpitiya lagoon back to town during summer, which normally takes around 45 minutes. The wind can be a bit stronger up there, there's flat water as well as kickers across the sand bank and KWW will organise lunch for you on a small island along the route as well.
If you want to ride waves then Donkey Point can provide some fun conditions and it's a 20 minute drive from the main lagoon. Kitesurfing Lanka can provide safety boat cover if needed.
On the beach with Kitesurfing Lanka
Big ol’ raley!
One of the spots that Kitesurfing Lanka frequents!
Take a look at the Kalpitiya lagoons in these videos from Kitesurfing Lanka
WIND, WEATHER & WATER
The summer time tidal range is really small and, with 90%+ days over 20 knots, the conditions work perfectly all day long, so you’ll be blessed with lots of regular session time! There are two annual seasons: the summer runs from May until October and is the strongest of the two, with breezes of 25 knots or more five or six days a week. The winter season begins in mid-December and finishes in early April.
The winter season is less reliable and lighter, but if you have a 12 metre kite then you can still get plenty of sessions on the water. If it’s really light then there’s also the option of foiling on the open water or potentially in the lagoons with a short mast.
Weather-wise, Kalpitiya is extremely humid with air temperatures averaging 30°C / 86°F and water temperatures of 26°C / 79°F throughout the year. The sun is very strong in this part of the world, so make sure your skin is protected.
SCHOOLS
SUN WIND BEACH KALPITIYA is an authentic community-based kite resort/school on the banks of Kalpitiya lagoon, two minutes from the main kite spot. Daily transfers to the sand bar are on offer or watch the action from the elevated chill-out area.
www.swbkalpitiya.com
swbkalpitiya@gmail.com
Red CORAL IKO accredited kite school with gear rentals available. There’s a safety boat, beach hut and lessons are taught in a broad range of languages.
www.redcoralkitesurfingresort.com
info@redcoralkitesurfingresort.com
KITESURFING LANKA is a popular specialist kitesurfing resort, offering all-inclusive packages for a hassle-free holiday, including airport transfers, holiday planning in Sri Lanka, equipment rental, lessons and kite repairs. Customised meal plans, activities for non-kiters, yoga and massage are available. They also offer guided downwinders to all spots and catamaran kite trips as well as advanced kite clinics, specialist kite trips and free use of their SUPs and kayaks.
www.kitesurfinglanka.com
info@kitesurfinglanka.com
DE SILVA WINDRESORT (and their new Palmresort) is the biggest watersports centre in Sri Lanka and last year it was given the award for Best Watersport Center in the 2018 Sri Lanka Tourism Awards. Awesome package deals are available if you learn together with a friend or partner and all instructors are VDWS or IKO qualified. Advanced tuition is also available. De Silva is also Kalpitiya’s official Duotone dealer and school with the latest gear (including foils) available for hire. They have kite storage on-site as well as a comfortable rooftop chill out area with 4G wifi and accommodation available at their two hotels, which are just next door. Safety boat cover is included with all lessons, rental packages and guided tours. They’re also well-stocked with windsurf gear!
Languages spoken by instructors: English, German, Singhalese.
Accredited by: VDWS
www.surfschool-srilanka.com
office@surfschool-srilanka.com
ALANKUDA KITE SCHOOL is based at the Dolphin Beach Resort and has IKO certified coaches, offering standard and tailormade packages to suit all levels. Their instructors speak a number of languages, equipment hire is available and they run downwinders and kite safaris!
www.kitesurfing.lk
info@dolphinbeach.lk
TRAVEL AGENTS
KITEWORLDWIDE specialize in delivering extraordinary kitesurf holidays to exotic destinations while avoiding the tourist traps.
www.kiteworldwide.com
info@kiteworldwide.com
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
www.planetkitesurfholidays.com
info@planettravelholidays.com
Sportif Kitesurf Holidays provide kitesurfing and multi sport holidays to the very best destinations worldwide. Sportif centres have the latest equipment and highly qualified, experienced staff. Whatever your level, you'll find a range of flexible rental or instruction packages, with a choice of accommodation from budget to luxury 5* hotels, right next to the centres.
www.sportif.travel
info@sportif.travel
ACCOMMODATION
RED CORAL KITESURFING RESORT is a boutique resort situated on the southern tip of the Kalpitiya lagoon, with eight rooms and an IKO accredited kite school with gear rentals available. There’s a safety boat, beach hut and lessons are taught in a broad range of languages.
www.redcoralkitesurfingresort.com
info@redcoralkitesurfingresort.com
SUN WIND BEACH KALPITIYA is an authentic community-based kite resort/school on the banks of Kalpitiya lagoon, two minutes from the main kite spot. A relaxed tropical village feel, accommodation is private cabanas or backpacker huts and includes breakfast and return daily transfers to the sand bar. Watch the action from the elevated chill-out area while ‘mama’ cooks up legendary seafood, vegetable dishes and curries every night.
www.swbkalpitiya.com
swbkalpitiya@gmail.com
KITESURFING LANKA
is a popular specialist kitesurfing resort, offering all-inclusive packages for a hassle-free holiday, including airport transfers, holiday planning in Sri Lanka, equipment rental, lessons and kite repairs. Customised meal plans, activities for non-kiters, yoga and massage are available. They also offer guided downwinders to all spots and catamaran kite trips as well as advanced kite clinics, specialist kite trips and free use of their SUPs and kayaks.
www.kitesurfinglanka.com
info@kitesurfinglanka.com
Beachfront feels at Kitesurfing Lanka / PHOTOS: Kitesurfing Lanka
KITEWORLDWIDE
Also check out the guest lodges like KiteWorldWide’s, which has a beautiful terrace overlooking the lagoon and Dolphin Beach Resort offer a real ‘glamping’ experience, with family and couple-sized tents that are more like fully equipped mini-villas that remain cool in the Sri Lankan heat, thanks to their canvas construction.
DE SILVA WIND RESORT
De Silva have two hotels right next to the lagoon with their eco-friendly Windresort and luxurious new Palmresort; both of which offer very comfortable accommodation. Windresort has more of a surf camp feel, with stylish ‘surf cabanas’ for couples and families, while Palmresort is newly-built and a little more chic, with air conditioned rooms and a swimming pool. The resorts are just 200 metres apart with international fare and full board available at the De Silva Restaurant. There’s also the fully stocked Surfbar for after-session refreshments.
TRAVEL AGENTS
KITEWORLDWIDE specialize in delivering extraordinary kitesurf holidays to exotic destinations while avoiding the tourist traps.
www.kiteworldwide.com
info@kiteworldwide.com
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
www.planetkitesurfholidays.com
info@planettravelholidays.com
Sportif Kitesurf Holidays provide kitesurfing and multi sport holidays to the very best destinations worldwide. Sportif centres have the latest equipment and highly qualified, experienced staff. Whatever your level, you'll find a range of flexible rental or instruction packages, with a choice of accommodation from budget to luxury 5* hotels, right next to the centres.
www.sportif.travel
info@sportif.travel
NO WIND
Discover the roots of Buddhism and Ayurveda as well as lots of UNESCO world heritage sites. The Wilpattu national park (midway point on KSL's marathon downwinder from Vella to Kalpitiya) features Leopards and is just two hours away. Recommended trips include the ‘Cultural Triangle’ of Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa and Dambulla. Take a few days to journey to the east coast from Kandy to Ella on one of the most scenic train journeys in the world, through the Ceylon tea highlands. Hit the famous Arugum Bay on the east coast for incredible surf. During the winter dolphins and whales can be seen close to the west coast as they migrate south. Alternatively snorkel the reef, SUP in the mangroves, play volleyball or relax by the pool.
Kitesurfing Lanka also run a weekly beach party out front of the camp with DJs or live music and, although there are no bars or nightclubs around Kalpitiya, there’s still a good social scene at KSL with BBQs and gatherings. Kitesurfing Lanka have lodgings to suit all tastes and wallets with beachside bungalows, deluxe tents, a family-sized four room villa apartment and even a catamaran!
For non-kiters, the Red Coral Rsort will fit the bill: read a book, snooze on cozy couches, play board games in the shade or enjoy a drink out on the verandah. Also, the chef is ready to cook a meal for you at any time!
Also check out the other guest lodges, like KiteWorldWide’s, which has a beautiful terrace overlooking the lagoon.
Kandy to Ella train ride / PHOTO – Stan Kiteworld
Ceylon tea mountains / PHOTO – Stan Kiteworld
Ceylon tea picking / PHOTO – Stan Kiteworld
Arugam Bay / PHOTO – Stan Kiteworld
SUPing the flats / PHOTO – De Silva Windresort
GET AROUND
There is no mass tourism and kiting tourism only really developed in the last three years. A very native region, it’s a relaxing escape (but it helps if you kite!). The nearest small village with convenience store etc. is three kilometres away and the nearest big village with pharmacies, banks ATMs and telecom shops is ten kilometres. Take taxis or tuctucs to wherever you need to go. Hiring a car is possible from local companies, but driving is a bit different to what you may be used to!
Kaplitiya main road / PHOTO – De Silva Windresort
Local petrol station / PHOTO – Stan Kiteworld
Paradise red sand roads / PHOTO – Stan Kiteworld
CURRENCY
Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) - £1 = LKR200 / €1 = LKR150 / $1 = LKR13
FOOD & DRINK
There are a few very simple restaurants in the villages and only basic shops. People usually eat in the resorts, hotels or kite camps. Be warned that when eating out the food is very hot, especially the curries and Kottus.
Local fruit store in Kalpitiya / PHOTO – De Silva Windresort
Local cuisine / PHOTO – De Silva Windresort
AIRPORT
The Colombo Bandaranaike International airport (CMB) is 2.5 – 3.5 hour transfer. Your accommodation will organise your transfer.
TRAVEL AGENTS
KITEWORLDWIDE specialize in delivering extraordinary kitesurf holidays to exotic destinations while avoiding the tourist traps.
www.kiteworldwide.com
info@kiteworldwide.com
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
www.planetkitesurfholidays.com
info@planettravelholidays.com
Sportif Kitesurf Holidays provide kitesurfing and multi sport holidays to the very best destinations worldwide. Sportif centres have the latest equipment and highly qualified, experienced staff. Whatever your level, you'll find a range of flexible rental or instruction packages, with a choice of accommodation from budget to luxury 5* hotels, right next to the centres.
www.sportif.travel
info@sportif.travel
