Kitesurfing in Kalpitiya

Kalpitiya kitesurfing season

Kalpitiya offers kitesurfing opportunities during the summer and winter seasons. So besides the exception of a few months (April, October, & November), Kalpitiya remains open for the whole year!
Summer kitesurfing season in Kalpitiya consists of the following months: May, June, July, August, and September.
Winter kitesurfing season in Kalpitiya consists of the following months: December, January, February, and March.
For the winter season, it would be wise to go there from mid-December as that’s when the wind starts to get more consistent and ideal for kitesurfing. Similarly, the month of March is also only good for the first 15 days, and after that, the wind quality drops.
The best thing about both of these kitesurfing seasons in Kalpitiya is the dry and warm temperature which is nothing short of a blessing for those coming from the cold European areas! In addition, the wind quality remains very good throughout the two major seasons, so you can jump right into action! 

History of Kitesurfing in Kalpitiya

Kalpitiya has a lot of history and goes all the way back to the Arab merchants who used to frequently visit these Islands. In 1544, this area was invaded by the Portuguese, who named it “Kardiv Island.” After the invasion, a small garrison was stationed in the area to defend it.
Then in 1659, the area was finally freed from the Portuguese invaders and fell into the hands of the Dutch. Within the next few years, the Dutch started building a fortress in the area, which was finally completed in 1667. Even at that time, Kalpitiya was a major trading hub through which the Dutch East India Company controlled the trading routes to various places around the world. Finally, in 1795, the fort fell into the hands of the British, which then continued till 1859.
If we talk about the historical fort in Kalpitiya, it will show a blend of Portuguese, Dutch, and British cultures since it remained in their control. This is the reason why this fort is considered to be one of the major spots to check in the Kalpitiya.

But these first settlers did not land in Kalpitiya with their kitesurfing equipment and it took a few years for Kalpitiya to become a world kite top destination! Kitesurfing in Kalpitiya didn’t really arrive until much later when some of the first adventurous kiters discovered the Kalpitiya Lagoon in 2008 and took to the water. One of the very first kiters that landed in Kalpitiya was Fabrio Ingrosoo. So actually Kalpitiya is quite a new kitesurfing destination compering other destinations!

Kalpitiya is located on the northern side of Sri Lanka, and beyond it lies the vast sea. Overall, this area is made of 14 Islands, all of which are great spots for kitesurfing and other water/wind sports.
However, the best spot to learn kitesurfing is the Kalpitiya lagoon, without any doubt as it is surrounded by land from two sides, with only one side facing the sea. On one side of the Kalpitiya lagoon lies the shore and the Kalpitiya beach, while the other side is surrounded by the rest of the Kalpitiya town.

But you do not have to limit yourself to the Kalpitiya lagoon though… As mentioned above, Kalpitiya has 14 small Islands, and all of them present countless opportunities to enjoy wind and water sports. The name of these 14 Islands are given below:

1.Periya Arichchalai
2.Sinna Arichchalai
3.Ippantivu
4.Uchchamunai
5.Kakativu
6.Eramutivu West
7.Dutch Bay
8.Vellai II
9.Palliyawatta
10.Vellai I
11.Baththalangunduwa
12.Sinna Eramutivu
13.Vellai III
14.Eramutivu

Kalpitiya is the ideal location for kitesurfers or any other type of water/wind sports since it is just next to the sea! In addition, its 14 distinct Islands provide enough opportunities for everyone to enjoy a lot of different spots.
So without wasting time, let’s look at the best kiting spots you should check in Kalpitiya:

3. Vella Island

Vella Island is also a popular spot which is a short distance from the Kalpitiya lagoon. To reach the beautiful Vella Island, you can take a 45-minute boat ride while also enjoying the iconic scenery and blue water along the way.
When compared with other kiting spots in Kalpitiya, this one is a rather quiet spot, as there are only a few locals living in the area. In addition, Vella Island also has kitesurfing schools which is ideal for beginner kitesurfers!
During the summer season, Vella Island offers butter-flat water conditions along with strong winds making it a deal for the downwinders. As for the winter season, kiting trips are usually less frequent, but you can still go kiting as the conditions remain favorable even during the winter.

If you are looking for an easy-learning kitesurfing spot, Kalpitiya is the best choice to take your kitesurfing lessons! The lagoons and the islands around Kalpitiya offer super flat and shallow waters! 

Best kites sizes for kitesurfing in Kalpitiya

The ideal kite size for kitesurfing in Kalpitiya will depend on whether you are going in the summer or the winter season. During the summer season, you can do fine with small kites but would need bigger kites for the winter season.
Summer season: 9-meter kites
Winter season: 12-meter kites
But if you are planning to join a kitesurfing school in Kalpitiya, then do not worry about bringing your own kites or buying them! In Margarita kite school we can also will provide the kites along with other required equipment.
In addition, you can also rent out kites if you are not in the mood to bring your own equipment.

How to move around Kalpitiya

Since Kalpitiya is close to the shore, you will have the option to travel both on water and land. On the water, you can take boat rides to visit the different Islands, and on the land, you can take local tuk-tuk rides or book a private taxi.
There are many resorts in Kalpitiya that also include transportation in their package, so that’s also a thing you can check.
In addition, you can also rent out bikes from the resorts and nearby shops, which is also a healthy and cost-effective way to move around.
And if you are in the mood for an adventure, why not explore the Kalpitiya on foot while sipping on your favorite drink?

Activities to do in Kalpitiya a part from Kitesurfing

Besides sunbathing and kitesurfing, there are also tons of other activities to try in Kalpitiya as well! So if you want to make your visit to Sri Lanka a lot more special, remember to try these activities in Kalpitiya:

Alankuda Beach

Alankuda beach is close to Kalpitiya beach and is famous among tourists for its dolphin pods and exotic bird-watching tours. And the best part is that you will be accompanied by local experts who can help you with bird watching!

So if you want a true hint of nature while in Kalpitiya, remember to visit the Alankuda beach as well!

 

A part from kitesurfing there are many activities that you can do in this rural an authentic environment! Kalpitiya offers for those kiters more adventorous many super beautiful mangroves for Kayaking around! Furthermore, the calm waters of the ocean are very suitable for diving. Very recently, the Coastal conservation department from Kalpitiya have launched a coral protection and development program. Snorkeling is again a very interesting activity to do in winter season.

And when the wind forecast in Kalpitiya is not good, you can always take some time to visit these interesting places as well;

1. Anuradhapura – 2 hours drive from Kalpitiya

When you are in Kalpitiya, remember to visit Anuradhapura, which is home to a lot of ancient ruins, temples, and exotic history. In addition, this place is also ideal for tourists as you can easily find tons of accommodation and eating options in the Anuradhapura. This place is so good that many people end up changing their 1-2 days trip to Anuradhapura into 4-5 days!
Due to its historical significance and tons of historical places to visit, Anuradhapura is also known as the ancient capital of Sri Lanka!

2. Wipattu National Park – 1, 5 hours frive from Kalpitiya

Wipattu National Park is around 97 KM away from Kalpitiya, and you can reach here by taxi (around 2 hours’ drive). And once you are in the Wipattu National Park, its iconic beauty and wildlife variety will make you forget all of that traveling!
Being the largest and also the oldest national park in entire Sri Lanka, there’s no reason not to visit this place. In this national park, you can enjoy bird watching along with the sights of elephants, deer, water buffalos, and so on. However, its fame is for its leopards, and on an average day, there’s a 50% chance of seeing this amazing animal!
So if you have a thing for exploring the wildness and watching animals in their natural habitat, remember to add Wipattu National Park to your list.

3. Sigiriya – 4 hours drive from Kalpitiya

Sigiriya is basically a giant rock that dwarves everything around it… Also known as the Mount of Remembrance, it has been picked as a world heritage site which is enough of a reason to speak for its importance and popularity!
You will have to spend some time reaching the top of Sigirya, but it will provide surreal panoramic views of the area surrounding it! And besides watching everything from the top, this place is also home to an ancient civilization… So you can also check out the ruins of an ancient city in Sigiriya!

How to get Kalpitiya from the airport

The easiest and most affordable way to reach Kalpitiya is to land at the Colombo Airport. From here, you can book a private taxi to the Kalpitiya (costs around $70 on average) – The total ride duration will be around 3 to 4 hours at best, depending on the traffic conditions.

Another option is to book a chartered flight from Colombo Airport to Kalpitiya via Cinnamon Air, but it will cost you around $2000 (a lot more expensive than taking a taxi!).
And the cheapest option of all is to take a bus from Colombo to Kalpitiya… It will take around 5 – 6 hours to reach Kalpitiya from Colombo if you take the bus rate, but it will only cost around $30 on average! 

Kalpitiya Recommended Restaurants

When you go to a new location, one of the first things that come to mind is to try the local find! One of the best things about Kalpitiya is that it offers both international and local foods. So it doesn’t matter whether you need a pizza or coffee or want to try the local Sri Lankan food – You get to enjoy and experience it all in Kalpitiya!
Some of the best restaurants in Kalpitiya are given below:
> Coco Breeze Restaurant – A great place for your lunch, dinner, and breakfast. In addition, they also offer good quality snacks, fresh juices, and seafood.
> Government Resthouse – They offer dine-in and takeaway local and international food. According to tourists, one of the major highlights of this restaurant is that it offers tasty and healthy food.
> Welle Wadiya Beach Restaurant – They offer seafood, grilling, local food (Sri Lankan), and European cuisine.
You can find the exact location of these restaurants by putting their name on Google Maps.

Conclusion

If you look around, you will not find any places that are as good for kitesurfing as Kalpitiya… But Kalpitiya doesn’t end here as it is also home to a lot of historical places nearby and packs a ton of activities one can enjoy. You can think of it as an overall place where you can truly enjoy your vacation while partaking in kitesurfing.
And when compared with other kiting destinations, everything in Sri Lanka (transportation, food, accommodation, etc.) is way more affordable!
So, in a nutshell, there’s no better place to book your next kitesurfing destination than Kalpitiya (Sri Lanka)!