Kitesurfing in Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka

So people say that Kalpitiya is one of the best kitesurfing destinations in the world, huh?

Hmm, speaking of worldwide, it may not quite cut the mustard, but Kalpitiya should definitely be on the list of one of the best kite spots in Southeast Asia.

Located in the Puttalam district, North-Western province of Sri Lanka, this tiny fishing village and its 14 surrounding islands are well known for their natural, untouched beauty. In fact, Kalpitiya is nothing more than a pretty long and narrow strip of sand separating the lagoons from the Indian Ocean. For kitesurfing, this is a dream come true. It is definitely one of the windiest kite spots on the map; that’s a sure thing.

So what’s so special about this place? Well, for starters, there is this very unique Venturi effect that runs through. The wind gets sucked through the Palk Strait channel and picks up strength as it travels along the coast. By the time it reaches Vella Island, it’s almost doubled in speed.

Kalpitiya is on the map as one of the kite spots with just the perfect kitesurfing conditions during summer as well as winter, and it still remains one of the very few kitesurfing destinations that are unspoiled with resort chains, noisy nightlife and tourism. Is this still to come? Who knows, possibly, but for now, it is just the perfect tranquil hideaway for those who appreciate a bit of peace ‘n’ trees. Literally. This narrow peninsula jutting into the Indian Ocean genuinely delivers wind for nine months of the year.

Kitesurfing season in Kalpitiya

But here’s what makes it quite interesting: you get two completely different seasons, each with its own character, conditions, and ideal kite setup. Kalpitiya kitesurfing season is a double whammy, in a good way.
The winter kitesurfing season in Kalpitiya runs from December to March. The winter months bring a gentler side to Kalpitiya. From about mid-December through to February, you’ll find consistent north-westerly winds with an average speed of about 15-18 knots during the afternoons. Mornings will start calmer, giving you enough time for a champion breakky and all the things you need to do in the morning. Then around midday, the thermal effects kick in. The wind builds up nicely through the afternoon and blows until sunset.

If you’re planning a trip to Kalpitiya for Christmas or New Year’s, then bring the big kites. 15-17m is a must at this time, so you don’t spend your day waiting around (speaking from experience), or end up renting expensive gear. December can be a bit of a hit-and-miss, especially early in the month, whilst the season finds its rhythm.

January and February are generally the best months of the Kalpitiya kitesurfing season. You could expect wind on roughly 25 days each month, and you’ll be riding a 12-14m kite most days. March sees the wind taper off, and by mid-month you’re starting to gamble a bit – some years it holds, others it drops away early. Quick Tip? Full moon periods tend to kill the wind for about 3-5 days, so plan accordingly.

The summer kitesurfing season in Kalpitiya starts in May and goes all the way to September. This is when Kalpitiya shows its teeth. The south-westerly monsoon wind arrives in May and doesn’t let up until late September, bringing 20-30 knot winds that blow 24 hours a day. June through August is absolutely firing – you’ll be on a 9m kite most days, sometimes smaller if you’re light or it’s properly cranking. The wind in the summer season is definitely much stronger and more consistent than in winter, but it comes with trade-offs. The sea turns brownish from dispersed sand, and it can get choppy with waves reaching up to 1.5 meters on the outer reefs. The lagoon stays flat, but the wind can be gusty at times, particularly in the lagoon. In the summer kitesurfing season, most schools will organise trips to kite spots like Vella Island and Dream Spot. The wind here at that time of the year is much cleaner with more consistent flow.

July and August are peak season for a reason – you’re looking at 25+ days of wind each month, with only the full moon period offering a break (usually 3-5 days). September starts reliably but becomes less predictable as the month goes on. May and October still have a very decent wind, but less consistency.

The shoulder months are usually April and November. These two months could often be tricky and if you’re planning a dedicated kite trip, it’s best to drop the idea. These are the changeover periods, and honestly, they’re a punt. The wind becomes really unpredictable. April is usually a complete wash-out, the month of the rain in Kalpitiya and the beaches empty out. If you’re flexible and don’t mind a few flat days mixed with other activities, you might score some uncrowded sessions.

Kitesurfing spots in Kalpitiya

There are quite a few kitespots in Kalpitiya offering a range of conditions from waves to flat with a chop to butter flat. It’s just an awesome contrast of the flat water in the lagoons and the wave of the Indian Ocean just on the other side of the sand bank.

1. Kalpitiya Lagoon

The lagoon is about 800m wide and well over 2km long, so that just gives you quite amazing space with nearly flat water and just a few chops here and there. The lagoon is a great spot for both wind seasons. If you are planning to take kitesurfing lessons in Kalpitiya, then the lagoon is where it all starts. If you are staying with a kitesurfing resort, and there are heaps to choose from, then it’s very likely they will offer a free transport to the lagoon every day. The lagoon is quite shallow, perfectly suitable for all skill levels. Make sure to pack a pair of booties. There are sharp shell fragments and sea urchins at the muddy bottom that you don’t want to step on, and don’t expect a blue lagoon, the water gets quite murky.

The lagoon does get quite busy, sometimes with around 30 kites at the time, but there’s still enough space for everyone, so nothing to worry about. There are few waves out in the open ocean from the other side of the sand bar. The ocean side gets a few kiters during the winter season, but in summer you will hardly ever see someone kiting there. The water is just too choppy and not very pleasant to ride on.

2. Donkey Point

This kitesurfing spot is about 20 minute tuk-tuk ride down South-west from Kalpitiya. It offers a few good sized waves here if the swell is good, so if you’re into wave riding then you could hang around here for the day. The wind here is mostly on-shore which makes Donkey Point relatively safe and suitable kitespot even for the beginners. Once you’re done here, this kitespot is a perfect starting point for the 7km downwinder (summer season) back to the Kalpitiya lagoon. This ride will require some skill though as you’re going through the ocean, so if you’re still a bit shaky on your board, opt-in for tuk-tuk instead.

3. Ippantivu Island

The setup here is very similar to the Vella Island. In fact the locals call this little island “Mini Vellai”. The bay in the middle is quite protected, so you get a nice flat water conditions with quite stable offshore winds.
In the summer season, you can take an awesome downwinder to the Dream Point, but the water can be a bit choppy.

4. Dream Spot

This kitesurfing spot is just a short trip away from the Kalpitiya Lagoon. It sits just at the opening of the lagoon and it works great during both summer and winter seasons. It is basically a sand bar separating the Indian Ocean and the lagoon, but it offers perfectly flat water surface on one side and a friendly waves on the other.

5. Vella Island / Magic Spot

This is an epic kitespot, the best in Kalpitiya, if not the best kitespot in the entire Sri Lanka. Vella Island is a long sandbar stretching over the Portugal Bay located around 25km from the main lagoon. In fact the island is nothing more than a sandy cay with a few sun huts on it, but the wind and water conditions here do the magic. It is about 45 minutes boat ride up North through the Dutch Bay right into the Portugal Bay.

The curvy shaped sandbank creates the perfect flat water lagoon protected from the outer ocean. The water is perfectly flat with no chop and as the wind travels through the channel and picking up on strength, you’ll get fantastic 20+ knots stable, predictable wind here. It is much stronger breeze here than the lagoon.

This spot is pretty much only kitable during the summer season when the wind blows off-shore to the Vella Island. So if you’re thinking a ‘downwinder’, yep, we’re on the same boat.
In fact, make sure, you’ll get one of the kiteschools around to organise a safety boat to follow.

6. Kappalady Lagoon

This tiny lagoon only fits about 15 kiters at the time, so it’s good for a warm-up session or to practice a few tricks before it gets too busy. It has pretty calm flat surface with good and steady wind and about a waist deep water. The lagoon is not directly connected to the ocean making this kitespot pretty safe for the beginners, but as you can guess it’s just not anywhere near the other local spots.

Kalpitiya definitely offers some great spots, the only negative is that most of them are only suitable for more experienced riders. So if you’re a total beginner, unfortunately you’ll be stuck with the muddy lagoons for starters.

No wind, no kite!

There are several UNESCO world heritage sites you can visit in Sri Lanka. The closest to Kalpitiya is the so called ‘Cultural Triangle’ of Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa and Dambulla.
Check out the Wilpattu National Park for an awesome day trip.
If you have a few days to spare, venture out to the East coast of the Island and take a train trip from Kandy to Ella through the Ceylon tea highlands. It is meant to be most scenic and beautiful out of all the train journey in the world.

If you happen to be in Kalpitiya during the winter season, go check out the popular Arugam Bay on the east coast, not only for an epic surf, but also to watch the dolphins and whales as they migrate south during winter.
There are several diving and snorkeling sites out in the reef worth visiting, or just take a SUP session in the mangroves.

Are you planning kitesurfing holidays to this wonderful part of Asia? Check out this list of the best kitesurfing spots in Rameswaram, India and put it on your list.