Sri Lanka plays a significant role in the kiteboarding industry as it is the home of the factories and testing ground for many of the big brand names we know and love. This and a robust offering of kite schools and camps have resulted in Kalpitiya’s tourism becoming largely centred around the sport of kiteboarding. Kalpitiya is a small fishing town sitting on the peninsula of Puttalam Lagoon on the north-west coast of Sri Lanka. It is known best for its strong seasonal wind and plentiful lagoons which provide butter flat water perfectly suited to beginners and freestyle riders. Most of the kite schools are close to Kalpitiya lagoon with a few at nearby Kappalady lagoon. They provide accommodation and have cafes and restaurants in house. There are also a few other schools which are linked to hotels. Even if you don’t want or need lessons, it’s worth being around the kite schools for the atmosphere. There are quite a few kitespots in Kalpitiya offering a range of conditions from waves to small chop to butter flat as the lagoons are separated from the Indian Ocean by a single sandbar. On and off the water, Kalpitiya offers an abundance of stunningly beautiful nature and rich wildlife as well as UNESCO heritage sites. Northern Sri Lankan waters are home to dozens of species of whales, dolphins, and manta rays and the nearby Wilpattu National Park can give you an excellent day trip viewing elephants, crocodiles, and leopard communities.

Kalpitiya and the surrounding areas are known best for their lagoons, which offer butter flat water perfect for beginners and freestyle riders. On the ocean side of the sand bar, there are also plenty of open sea spots which have wind chop forming small kickers, as well as some wave riding spots. Kalpitiya Lagoon (Winter & Summer Seasons) – The lagoon spans around 800m wide and exceeds 2km in length, giving you a giant playground of flat water to play in. At its deepest spot, the lagoon is around 1.5m deep making it perfectly suitable for beginners taking kitesurfing lessons. For the more advanced riders wanting to practice wake style manoeuvres, a slider and a kicker have been placed around halfway up the lagoon where the sand bar reaches slightly further into the lagoon, creating a butter flat section of water. Donkey Point — While Kalpitiya is undoubtedly best known for its lagoons, there are some waves to be ridden at Donkey Point. On a good swell, this spot can provide small to medium waves (1-2m). A 20minute tuk-tuk ride will get you to Donkey Point and, in the summer, it forms the starting point of a 7km downwinder back to Kalpitiya Lagoon. Kappalady Lagoon — This small and perfectly flat lagoon can host around 15 kiters on the water. A small sandbar separates the lagoon from the Indian Ocean; for riders wishing to adventure out, small clean waves can be found as they form off the reef which sits less than 100m away from the shore. Vella Island (Summer Only) – Vella Island is a long sandbar stretching around Portugal Bay. Located around 25km from the central lagoon, it is the perfect target spot for downwinders, and many schools will provide boat support for downwinders to this spot. Vella island’s curved sandbar creates an ideal expanse of flat water as it is sheltered from the outer ocean when winds blow from the south-west in the summer. Dutch Bay Point — South of Vella Island and overlooking the Wilpattu National Park, Dutch bay offers stunning views as you kite around. Ride past it on your downwinder to Vella Island or make an intentional stop there in the winter season for a session with butter flat water, mangroves and wildlife. During winter, this spot is offshore with winds blowing into Dutch Bay. As such, riders must be confident they can stay upwind. AMENITIES: Kite School, Gear Rental, Beach Assistance, Boat Shuttle, Showers, Toilets, Gear Storage, Kite Shop, Cafe/Bar, Accommodation.