I will strongly encourage you to do the wind dance on the balcony at 2 a.m., but try as you might, I can’t guarantee the wind. Luckily, there are many adventurous activities you can enjoy on those windless days. For the purpose of this post, I am going to assume you are staying with us at Kitekuda Kite Resort and so all directions will be given from the Duotone Pro Centre Kappalady.
Kalpitiya is just a short 30 minute TukTuk ride North of Kappalady. It will cost you approximately LKR 3500 (roughly €11 depending on exchange rate) in each direction, and Sameer (the best Paratha chef in town) can organise a pick up right from our front door. I’d recommend booking this an hour or two before you wish to depart, Sri Lanka time is a real thing.
As you speed into the sunrise glow, keep your eyes peeled for large pods of spinner dolphins, sperm whales and blue whales as they make their way along the migratory corridor up the coast towards the Southern Indian Ocean. The continental shelf drops off sharply in the Kalpitiya and Kappalady area, allowing us to access deep ocean areas close to shore. This is a truly awe-inspiring experience which provides a whole new perspective of our coastline!
Estimated price: Approximately €40 - €120 per person depending on the size of the group and length of the trip.
Best time to go: Early morning to increase your chances of sightings. November and March to increase your chances of whale sightings.
Where to book: Most hotels and guesthouses can arrange tours, or you can head to the Kalpitiya harbour and find a boat operator directly. We recommend reaching out to Kalpatiya Dive Centre or Elements Resort.
Here are some of the popular whale watching spots in Kalpitiya:
Kalpitiya Bay: This bay is a good place to spot sperm whales.
Bar Reef: This reef is a good place to spot blue whales.
For scuba diving and snorkeling in Sri Lanka, the North West coast provides unique rock formations and reefs which are quickly becoming popular at a global level. The best season for scuba diving in Kalpitiya and Kappalady is from November to April. The Kappalady reef, not far from the Kitekuda Kite Resort is a gem, boasting some of the most breathtaking scuba diving in the country.
Estimated price: Approximately €10 - €500 per person depending on if you are doing a day excursion or multi-day course.
Best time to go: Early mornings tend to have calmer waters with better visibility. I’d recommend trying to avoid the monsoon months of October and November, as the sea can be rougher, and visibility can be limited.
Where to book: There are multiple dive centres in the area and you can check google reviews to select the best centre for your needs, or reach out to Kalpatiya Dive Centre directly.
Here are some of the popular dive sites in the area:
Bar Reef: Sri Lanka's largest coral reef, teeming with colorful marine life.
Dutch Bay: Calm and shallow, perfect for beginners and families.
Kappalady Beach: Launch straight from the shore and explore the vibrant underwater world.
The Kalpitiya Dutch Fort and St. Peter’s Kerk Church (one of the oldest Protestant churches in Sri Lanka) built in the 17th century, serving as historical landmarks showcasing Dutch colonial architecture.
Where to try: No need to book an excursion, simply jump on a TukTuk from Kitekuda Kite Resort and get dropped at the fort. You can spend the rest of the day exploring Kalpitiya.
Estimated Price: Usually a small entrance fee, approximately LKR 500 (€2).
There are a few places in Kalpitiya that offer yoga classes, I’d recommend BNKR gym which is able to accommodate all experience levels.
Where to try: BNKR gym offers daily classes at 8am, 12pm, and 6pm.
Estimated price: Approximately €8 per 60 minute class.
My favourite evening activity, exploring the calm waters of the Kappalady lagoon at sunset, quietly observing beautiful birdlife alongside the mangroves. A fun activity suitable for all ages and skill levels.
Where to try: We have plenty of Stand Up Paddle boards (SUPs) and Kayaks available for use at Kitekuda Kite Resort.
Estimated price: If you are staying with us at Kitekuda Kite Resort, there is no additional charge. If you are staying off site, you can expect to pay approximately LKR 2,000 (€8) per hour.
Enjoy a scenic horseback ride along the Kappalady beach at either sunrise or sunset. Elements have 2 horses available Aquarius and Buddy, who can accommodate a maximum rider weight of 60 & 75 kgs. I recommend only taking part in this activity if you have had some experience on a horse previously, but you can reach out to Elements management team and discuss this in more detail.
Where to try: Elements Kite Resort offers horse riding experiences.
Estimated price: Approximately €44 per hour and €27 per 30 min.
Where to book: Before visiting Elements Resort for a horse riding excursion please inquire with management as their 2 horses (Buddy and Aquarius) have their off days.
Simply relax on the beautiful beaches of Kalpitiya and Kappalady. Enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and soaking up the peaceful atmosphere.
Kalpitiya Beach: This long stretch of sand is a classic Kalpitiya experience. It's great for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the lively atmosphere.
Kudawa Beach: Another popular kitesurfing destination, Kudawa boasts strong winds and challenging waves. It's a favorite among experienced riders.
Kappalady Beach: Just 300 meter paddle across the lagoon, is a safe, clean and uncrowded beach.
A must-do for wildlife enthusiasts like myself. The species list is long, allowing you the opportunity to spot elephants, leopards, sloth bears, mouse deer, and a large variety of birds. Wilpattu offers over 1,317 square kilometers of dense scrub jungle, open plains, and towering forests, with many scattered water sources. Its name, "Land of Lakes," will become apparent as you navigate your way through the park.
Where to book: I’d recommend you book directly through a local tour operator, such as Sri Lanka Safaris, otherwise a lot of our guests book directly through online platforms like GetYourGuide.
Estimated price: Entrance fees are approximately LKR 10,500 (€34) per person, and jeep safaris cost around LKR 8,000 - 12,000 (€32 - €48) per jeep.
How to get there: I can organise a direct transfer pick up from Kitekuda Kite Resort to the Wilpattu National Park entrance - Hunuwilgama for approximately €90.
This well maintained sanctuary, nestled in the Puttalam district, is the ultimate experience to immerse yourself in the tranquil surroundings and get closer to the birds. Spread across multiple habitats, Anawilundawa sanctuary creates an ideal environment for a wide array of birds such as the Sri Lanka grey hornbill, the colorful yellow-fronted barbet, black-headed ibis, herons, egrets, kingfishers to name a few. Depending on the season, you might spot a few migratory visitors from as far as Siberia, adding to the diversity of species.
Best time to go there: The best time for birdwatching is early morning or late afternoon when the birds are most active. I find the early mornings particularly magical, as the sanctuary awakens with a chorus of bird calls.
Estimated price: Entrance fee is approximately LKR 1,000 (€4) per person.
How to get there: Anawilundawa Bird Sanctuary is located approximately 30 kilometers from Kappalady, making it an easy day trip. I can organise a private transfer for approximately (€90) depending on length of visit.
Bargaining: It's common practice to bargain at local markets and with some tour operators.
Respect Local Customs: Dress modestly when visiting religious sites and be mindful of local customs.
Transportation: TukTuks are a common mode of transport for short distances, while hiring a car and driver is recommended for longer trips.
Hi, I'm Mike, a passionate Australian windsurfer and kitesurfer, also the owner of Kitekuda Kite Resort and the Duotone Pro Centre. I have called Sri Lanka home for the past 30 years and I love sharing my knowledge and experience of this beautiful island with all our visitors. I've been living at Kitekuda situated on the diverse Kappalady lagoon for the past 10 years, and I know this unique little ecosystem like the back of my hand. I'm committed to promoting sustainable tourism in Sri Lanka by building deep relationships in the local village and running initiatives that will lead to long term benefits in the area.
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