Kalpitiya
Sri Lanka
Why Visit
Kalpitiya is the new best kite destination in Asia, both in winter and summer. Kalpitiya 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 tourist, 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 south-west winds every day ranging from 18 to 30 knots. During this season the wind blows almost 24h a day.
Winter season from mid-December to 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 offer different spots making it a different riding place each time.
Getting Around
The best way to go around is by hiring a tuk-tuk (3 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. The cook a lot of curry dishes with a wide variety of vegetable. It's also possible to find in the many small street shop rolls and samosas but be careful, every time is a surprise, and you never know how spicy it is going to be! A few new places are opening 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 have 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).
Internet
The Internet is pretty fast in the village. It can be a bit slower and not very regular depending on the kite camp location.
Accommodation
There are a few guesthouses in the village, but it's pretty far from the kite spot. The kite camps located around the main spot offer accommodations for all budget mostly on 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.
Flights
Rating 4.0
Map
Sri Lanka
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20,966,000
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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 main spot in the area, with 800m wide and 2,5km long. It offers various kind of conditions from super flat water to small chop. It's also possible to cross the sandbank and go rider in the open sea to play with the shore break and small waves.
- Wind: Side to side on to side off to offshore depending were you are riding in the lagoon.
- Waves: Out at sea
- Shorebreak: Yes
Warning, world-class spot! In our opinion 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 located 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
0 ()
20,966,000
C
UTC+05:30