Kalpitiya
Sri Lanka
Why Visit
Kalpitiya is Asia's new best kite destination, both in winter and summer. It offers a variety of huge flat spots with strong and consistent wind. The main spot is perfect for learning, with flat, shallow water and safety boats ensuring the best conditions to become an independent rider. As kitesurfing is very new in Kalpitiya, the area is not spoiled with big resorts and tourists, and it's the perfect gateway for kiters who love peace and nature, with some crazy parties sometimes happening as well!
Wind and Weather
Summertime, from May to October, delivers strong southwest winds ranging from 18 to 30 knots daily. The wind blows almost 24 hours a day.
The winter season runs from mid-December to the end of February, with lighter north-west winds from 12 to 20+ knots. Both seasons are very sunny, and with the changing of wind direction, different spots are offered, making it a different riding place each time.
Getting Around
The best way to get around is by hiring a tuk-tuk (a three-wheeler with a back seat). They are very cheap and an exotic way to visit the place. It's also possible to rent bicycles, motorbikes, or scooters.
Food and Drink
Sri Lankan food is pretty basic but very delicious. They cook many curry dishes with a wide variety of vegetables. You can also find rolls and samosas in the many small street shops. But be careful—every time is a surprise, and you never know how spicy it is going to be! A few new places open every year, and now it is possible to get Thai food, pizzas, and burgers if you get tired of the local cuisine.
No Wind?
The kite camps offer a good range of no-wind activities, such as SUP, kayak, yoga, crafts and food workshops, safaris, clam fishing, snorkelling, and dolphin watching (only in the winter).
Recommended Businesses
Internet
The Internet is pretty fast in the village. Depending on the kite camp location, it can be a bit slower and not very regular,
Accommodation
There are a few guesthouses in the village, but they're pretty far from the kite spot. The kite camps located around the main spot offer accommodations for all budgets, mostly on a full-board basis.
Srilankakite has the best location being the only one right on the kitespot with a nice lounge area facing the lagoon. When staying at other kite camps you either have to go downwind to the main spot or use their truck shuttle.
DeSilva Windresort
Flights
Rating 4.0
Map
Sri Lanka
LKR (Sri Lankan rupee)
Sinhala Tamil
21,919,000
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
UTC+05:30
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By Stephane Decenciere
Stephane has been kiting since 2001 and working in the kite industry since 2006 in Martinique, Brazil, Vietnam. Now settled in Sri Lanka where he runs Srilankakite with 3 partners: Fabio Ingrosso, Philippe Bracher and Bao Perrenoud.
Been to Kalpitiya? What did you think?
Where are the Best Kitesurfing Beaches in Kalpitiya?
This is the central spot in the area, 800m wide and 2.5 km long. It offers various conditions, from super flat water to small chop. Crossing the sandbank and riding a horse in the open sea to play with the shorebreak and small waves is also possible.
- Wind: Side to side on to side off to offshore, depending on where you are riding in the lagoon.
- Waves: Out at sea
- Shorebreak: Yes
Warning: this is a world-class spot! In our opinion, it is one of the best spots in the world. Vella is a long, flat, and arched stretch of sand in the middle of the sea, located 25 km downwind of the main lagoon. The consistent strong wind blows offshore over it, creating a huge flat lagoon over 2km long. Vella only works in the summer season.
- Wind: Offshore
- Waves: No
- Shorebreak: No
At the end of the peninsula is a long, arched, flat beach 10km from the main lagoon. During the winter season, the wind comes over it and blows offshore in the lagoon. This is another huge, super flat spot.
- Wind: Offshore
- Waves: No
- Shorebreak: No
When is the Best Time to go Kitesurfing in Kalpitiya?
The windy months to go kitesurfing in Kalpitiya are January, February, May, June, July, August, September, October, December
Statistics
Map
Sri Lanka
LKR (Sri Lankan rupee)
Sinhala Tamil
21,919,000
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
UTC+05:30