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Kalpitiya
Placed 150 km north of the capital, Colombo, the Kalpitiya region is one of the most beautiful coastal areas located in the Western Province of Sri Lanka. Kalpitiya is a peninsular that separates the Puttalam lagoon from the Indian Ocean and is a marine sanctuary with a diversity of habitats ranging from bar reefs, flat coastal plains, saltpans, mangroves swamps, salt marshes and vast sand dune beaches.
There are many islands - small and large formed within both sea and lagoon. These islands are a treat to see. Most of these, especially the ones by the lagoon, are covered with green mangroves.
These unspoilt islands basking in the sun rimmed by the blue waters of the Indian Ocean and wide sandy beaches await to be discovered by the discerning visitors in all its glory!
Nearly twenty-four species of cetaceans are found along the coastal waters and five species of marine turtles nest in its beaches.
Dugongs inhabit the lagoon and the coastal habitats provide nesting and feeding grounds for hundreds of species of resident and migrant birds, with its diverse vegetation and blend of lush green giving different textures at different seasons.
Despite its natural beauty, this area is remarkably untouched by tourism. But for those lucky enough to visit, there's a plethora of things to see and do! With the small close-knit fishing community dominating the lives of the local people, visitors can get a real insight into working life away from the city. After watching the night fishing boats return in the morning, a visit to one of the fish markets offers the opportunity to choose the evening meal direct from the fresh catch!
Experience the magic from November to April :-
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Dolphin Watching
With Kalpitiya being home to a massive Dolphin population, you can head out to sea early in the morning and witness these amazing sea creatures. Every year from November to April, only half an hour boat ride away you can witness thousands of Dolphins dancing in the water glistening in the Sun light. This is attracting more and more nature lovers to Kalpitiya every season.
Kalpitiya has been identified as a hotspot to see several different varieties of dolphins. Unlike on the south coast where dolphins can be spotted between
25 – 50 kilometers out at sea, in Kalpitiya dolphin watching is possible 03 – 04 kilometers out. As such this location is ideal for half day excursions.
The fishermen consider dolphins as friends, who lend a hand to come to shore when they are unable to find their way. In addition, sea turtles and whales also frequent the sea. There is a great amount of bio diversity in the area.
The ocean off the coast of Alankuda is often still like a sheet of glass on calm days. The early morning light will be provide perfect conditions to capture these flawless acrobats on film as they show off their tricks with an eternal grin, as if posing specially for you. -
The Bar Reef
The Bar Reef is a large patch of reef off Kalpitiya, on the northwest coast of Sri Lanka. In 1992 the Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary was established, by the government of Sri Lanka, covering an area of 307 square kilometers that included shallow patch reefs, deep sandstone reefs and sea grass beds.
Bar Reef is the most un-spoilt reef in Sri Lanka at present. For many years the reef remained in a near pristine state due to the small human population and very limited fishing in the area. And although the shallow coral patches were completely destroyed by a large scale coral bleaching event in 1998, many of the corals have since recovered remarkably.
The Reef is simply world class and full of marine fish life including Butterfly fish, Banner fish, Parrotfish, Groupers, Manta Rays and even Black Tip Reef Sharks.
Bar Reef lays claim to being the home for 156 species of coral and 283 species of fish. -
Kite Surfing and other Water Sports
Kite surfing or kite boarding is an extreme sport which uses the power of the wind to pull a rider through the water and this is done on a small surfboard or kite board. Generally kite boarding refers to a style of riding known as freestyle or wake-style, whereas kite surfing is more "wave-riding" oriented.
These two styles usually require different boards and specific performance kites. The sport is still in its infancy, but is rapidly growing in popularity worldwide.
When it comes to Sri Lanka, our country being an island, kite surfing can be done all throughout the year. Kite surfing does require the highest possible wind conditions (monsoon). Two expatriate kite schools have been set up in Kalpitiya near Alankuda for one reason "High Wind Conditions ".
We reliably understand from serious kiters' that the area around Alankuda and Kalpitiya is probably one the best in the world which possibly accounts for so many wind power generating projects that have been undertaken there. -
Camping & Lagoon Safaris
A little known secret lies in the lagoons of Kalpitiya, 2 species of mammals, both on the endangered list. They have been residents in the Mannar area for decades or even centuries, but little is known about them or their behavior. They are known to exist only in this area of Sri Lanka (As per recorded data). They also have been known to spawn the legend of the mermaids. Boat rides along the coast will be a treat with fishing villages around the area offering you a glimpse of the local community lifestyle.
