If you're looking for a destination where it's not just sunny and windy; but where impressive nature and overwhelming scenery capture your attention, then the island of Sri Lanka is the right place to go! Think temples, the tastiest curries, beautiful lagoons, and ever-smiling locals.
HIGHLIGHTS OF SRI LANKA
CABS & LAGOONS
Windy, warm, and hospitable. Those are the keywords when you search for kitesurfing in Sri Lanka. Take a typical tuk-tuk cab to one of the lagoons at Kappalady or Kalpitiya, where the locals will always help you with a smile.
NATURE
Whether national parks or tea plantations, the island's greenery is so diverse! You will simply run out of time when you want to see and experience everything.
WORLD HERITAGE SITES
Sri Lanka has eight World Heritage sites, so it’s safe to say that the relatively small island of (just over 65,600 km) is a bastion of extraordinary sights and places. For example, visit “Anuradhapura.” one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world with such stunning sights as the Sacred Bo Tree and Temple Ruwanwelisaya Stupa.
FROM NORTH TO SOUTH
Visit forts. The southernmost city, Galle, is an old Portuguese/Dutch colony in Sri Lanka with an ancient lighthouse and fort. Jaffna is the town in the North where you find a former Dutch Fort with a wide deep moat surrounding it. These cities are so different, yet: both charming and worth visiting.
KITESURFING IN SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka is known as a must-visit kitesurfing destination in Asia for those who love riding flatwater and lagoons, and maybe foremost for those who want to combine actual travelers-experiences with kitesurfing.
Yes: what you’ve heard is true: Sri Lanka has it all! Stunning nature, mind-blowing culture, impressive wildlife, and beautiful kitesurfing spots.
Even though this island is relatively small, it is diverse, to say the least. There are microclimates to be found so it can (torrentially) rain heavily in one place while you are lounging on the beach on the other end of the island (before grabbing your snorkel set to enjoy the extraordinary underwater life).
If you are a lover of culture and religion, then this is your vacation destination. If you love beautiful hikes or traveling (by public transportation) off the beaten path, then this place should be on your travel wishlist. And if you can't wait to spot special birds or impressive predators, and eat the most delicious (vegetarian or vegan) dishes afterward, then Sri Lanka is your destination.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO KITESURF IN SRI LANKA?
Depending on what you want to see and do besides kitesurfing, there are two seasons to travel to Sri Lanka. The summer season is most popular. From mid-May until October the wind will come on every afternoon and will blow between 18 to 30 knots. The winter season runs roughly from the beginning of December until mid-February with less consistent wind, but you’ll probably have some nice waves too and you can go kitesurfing on the ocean where the wind will be side-onshore during that period of time. Bring bigger kites during this time of the year, as the wind speed will reach an average of 15 knots.
It’s been said that wintertime is perfect to combine a little country roundtrip with kitesurfing but only few know that the summer months lend themselves extremely well to this as well!
WHAT ARE THE BEST KITESURF SPOTS IN SRI LANKA?
Kalpitiya
Probably the most well-known spot when it comes to kitesurfing in Sri Lanka is Kalpitiya, after the charming fishing village of the same name. The water is flat, some places shallow, and the wind is strong (yet sometimes a little gusty). Plenty of schools are to be found at this premium kitesurfing location of Sri Lanka.
Kappalady
You’ll find this perfectly flat waist-deep lagoon a bit over 15 km south of Kalpitiya. It’s a well-known kitesurf spot for beginners to learn and for freestyle riders to progress.
Puttalam
This 50 km long lagoon separates the peninsula Kalpitiya from the mainland. This huge lagoon is perfect for downwinders or a go-to to get in a nice freestyle session around the little islands that it has inside such as Ippantivu: butterflat conditions guaranteed.
ABOUT THE COUNTRY
A Brief History of Sri Lanka
In 1500, the Portuguese settled in Sri Lanka for trade. They were followed by the Dutch. Over time, they gained control of the entire coast of the island, while in the mountains inland was the Sinhalese kingdom of Kandy. To protect the monopoly on the trade, they established a number of fortresses, including in Galle.
In 1796 the British invaded Sri Lanka and in 1802 Sri Lanka became a British colony and was known as Ceylon. This name may look familiar to you, given the tea that comes from the region. The British influences of that time can still be clearly seen, for example, through the railroads.
In 1948, Sri Lanka became independent. Sinhalese became the official language of the island. Tamil was allowed in some areas.
Unrest between the Tamils and Sinhalese would be very contentious at times. These struggles between the Tamil minority and the Sinhalese majority exploded in the mid-1980s. Since then, tens of thousands have died in the civil war.
In 1987, a cease-fire was agreed upon after intervention by India. The country sent troops after this, but withdrew again in 1990 because it had failed to disarm the Tamil Tigers. After 20 years of fighting, the Tamil Tigers and the government negotiated a cease-fire in February 2002. Not long after, in 2004, Sri Lanka was hit by tsunamis, causing many deaths and injuries. This dealt a hard blow to tourism which was just rebounding after years of internal strife.
Even—or perhaps especially in— more recent history, Sri Lanka has gone through an eventful time. The beautiful country with many different cultures (and populations) is working hard to put its name on the map as a popular tourist destination again.
Other Attractions in Sri Lanka
Take your time to explore the country because, without exaggeration, there is almost too much you must have to see.
Yara and Minneriya national parks are well worth visiting, but less known but at least as beautiful: the Horton Plains National Park. This beautiful ‘hikers’-highland leads to the 880m high cliff "end of the world." Spot toy-tea plantations, and toy-villages in the valley below: astonishing. Another (literal) high is Sigiriya; a stunning rock surrounded by gardens or Adam’s Peak; a beautiful historic hike.
Visit the cultural capital of the country, Kandy. And if you do so, take the train through the (tea-)countryside but take it in reverse: start from Ella and finish in Kandy. Book first class and you’ll be able to make those scenic from-the-train-hanging pictures but not in a crowded compartment with, if you're unlucky, peeing children and vomiting adults.
For the ocean enthusiasts: whale watching, beachin’, and surfing can be done on the east coast respectively at Trincomalee, Nilaveli, and Pottuvil (Arugam Bay).
Getting to Sri Lanka
The way to get to Sri Lanka is by plane. Flights are operated by Sri Lanka Airways. Often you will fly the first leg to a major city in India for example, Deli. From there you transfer to fly on to Colombo airport (which is actually north of the capital of the same name near the more charming town of Negombo).
In Sri Lanka itself, you can take public transportation. Many buses go from more luxurious air-conditioned vans to big old school buses, and there is a train track that allows you to get to many important places. Still, many people choose to hire a personal driver when traveling around the country. For the smaller stretches, you often take a typical tuk-tuk (cab). If you drive yourself, note that you have to drive on the left side of the road.
USEFUL RESOURCES
SIMILAR KITESURFING DESTINATIONS
- Boracay - Philippines
- Mui-ne - Vietnam
SKAPPALADY
If you’re looking for a kitesurfing spot that will offer more steady winds, fewer crowds, and yet also flatwater which is mostly waist deep, then Kappalady is your go-to. This lagoon is a well-known kitesurf spot for freestyle riders who are looking for a place to progress and also for beginners to learn the sport.
HIGHLIGHTS
FLATWATER
The circumstances for kitesurfing here are similar to the famous Kalpitiya lagoon: flat water, and good winds. But because this lagoon is (a lot) smaller, it’s not only more scenic and quiet it’s also cleaner!
NOT TOO MANY TOURISTS
Due to Sri Lanka’s turmoil, this area in general is relatively unexposed to tourists. You’ll mainly find kitesurfers here in summer. During the ‘second (wind) season’ in winter Kappalady is gaining popularity amongst wildlife spotters.
MARINE LIFE
Kappalady Beach has become the most well-known starting point for dolphin watching. Hop on a boat and enjoy the view of hundreds of dolphins passing by during this activity which usually takes about an hour and takes place daily from December to February. If you are lucky, you might spot a big blue whale too!
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS TO KITE
Kappalady is a perfect base to visit multiple spots. Go to the Puttalam Lagoon or to Vella Island. The latter offers super-flat water conditions along with strong winds: perfect to take a downwinder to and enjoy some epic freeriding afterward.
KITESURFING IN KAPPALADY
Kappalady is a small lagoon situated on the Kalpitiya Peninsula. This spot tends to have slightly more constant winds because the wind is not obstructed as it enters the lagoon.
Kappalady is popular with those who come for kitesurfing. Those who like partying, for example you are less likely to find here.
It is also a perfect place for beginners. Because the lagoon is hip-deep, if things go wrong you can quickly get up and catch your breath after which you can quickly resume learning at this perfect kitesurf spot.
From Kappalady, a world opens up to you when it comes to discovering other spots. Take a boat to Vella Island, go to Dreamspot, or go on another kite safari to one of the kitesurf spots at (or around) the peninsula.
Tourism is more and more conscious here. That is, there are many eco-friendly accommodations to enjoy your stay at!
Wind, weather, and water
With two wind seasons, you can be on the water most of the year in Sri Lanka at Kappalady! During the summer months, you can expect winds from the South West between 18 and 30 knots. In the second wind season, during winter, the winds are a little less stable and a little less strong (on average, about 15 knots from the northeast). Note that the moon can sometimes throw a spanner in the works in terms of wind reliability both in summer and winter. In winter, by the way, the wind only comes up in the afternoon. One constant is the sun and with it the wonderfully warm temperatures.
Sri Lanka, and thus Kalpitiya where the Kappalady lagoon is located, is close to the equator. The air temperature is between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius. The water temperature is on average about 28 degrees.
Despite not being a very large island, you have to deal with many different types of weather in Sri Lanka. A heavy rainy season with downpours in the interior of the country is something to plan your vacation around when you also want to visit other places like cultural attractions.
The altitude of the mountains/high plains also bring a different climate. Will you be hiking as well? In addition to sunscreen and a lycra, bring long pants and rain jackets.
WHAT ARE THE BEST BEACHES FOR KITESURFING IN KAPPALADY?
KAPPALADY
Kappalady Lagoon is the smaller, more tranquil, and eco-friendly kitesurf spot on the Kalpitiya peninsula where waist-deep, flatwater is to be found making it the number one choice of many to go (and learn) kitesurfing.
- Wind direction: Summer: SW 18-30 knots. Winter: NE around 15 knots.
- Water conditions: flat, waist-deep
- Discipline(s): beginner, freeride, freestyle
- Skill level: beginner to advanced
- Watch out for: Every now and then, it can be crowded during summer. Always mind the ROW and the kitesurfing students.
- Getting there: A two-hour drive from the capital Colombo by taxi or (hotel-arranged) transfer. Most hotels and resorts offer transfers if not located at the spot.
- Tip: Take food/water to the spot, as there are no real facilities.
KALPITIYA
At the Northern end of the peninsula, you’ll find this kitesurfing spot on the long spit of sand. Like at Kappalady, there are few facilities here. Apart from the dozen of kitesurfing schools, you’ll find some tuk-tuks with their drivers waiting to bring the kitesurfers back to their hotels if they didn’t come with the hotels’ organized transport.
- Wind direction: Summer: SW 18-30 knots. Winter: NE around 15 knots.
- Water conditions: flat, waist-deep to deep enough to go hydrofoiling
- Discipline(s): beginner, freeride, freestyle
- Skill level: beginner to advanced
- Watch out for: Some occasional gusts and wind holes plus it can be crowded during summer.
- Getting there: A two-hour drive from the capital Colombo by taxi or (hotel-arranged) transfer. Most hotels offer transfers, by boat across the Kalpitiya lagoon, for example.
- Tip: Take food/water to the spot, as there are no real facilities.
PUTTALAM
This town on the mainland across Kappalady and Kalpitiya offers a huge lagoon connected to the ocean, where many fish (and therefore many fishermen) thrive. Puttalam has no real beach; it is often the starting point for a downwinder to Kalpitiya. While going on this wind-driven little journey you’ll encounter little islands and beautiful untamed little places.
- Wind direction: Summer: SW 18-30 knots. Winter: NE around 15 knots.
- Water conditions: flat, deep to shallow depending on the tide as Puttalam is connected to the ocean
- Discipline(s): freeride, freestyle (downwinder)
- Skill level: intermediate, advanced
- Watch out for: Due to the connection to the ocean, the tides are very much present here thus some parts can get too shallow during low tide. Some parts may be gusty.
- Getting there: take a cab/tuk tuk
- Tip: Arrange yourself a little downwinder/kite safari with one of the kitesurfing schools or hotels in the area.
TRAVELING TO KAPPALADY AS A KITER
Getting There
For those who like a little challenge, public transportation (the bus) is a good and especially inexpensive option. There is a direct bus from Negombo (near Colombo). More buses go if you choose Puttalam as your terminus. Most popular is to book a transfer at the hotel or to take a cab from for example the airport (near Negombo). This is because the roads in Sri Lanka can be quite hectic. Plus, they drive on the left side of the road.
Accommodation
You have quite a lot of accommodations to choose from nowadays at the Kalpitiya peninsula. If you also like a drink and a chat after your session, choosing a slightly larger resort is highly recommended. Like KSL they have a sociable bar and not infrequently host (beach) parties.
If you come to Kappalady as a kitesurfer, you probably want to mostly kitesurf. That's why you might want to opt for Margarita Kiteschool which offers nice, clean, Waterfront Bungalows and Wooden Tropical Chalets. Another great choice would be Elements Resort.
Getting Around
Immerse yourself in Sri Lankan culture. Not really, but still a little: because when you take a tuk-tuk (the three-wheeled-mini-cabs) you do what many locals also do. Getting from A to B in a fun way where you support a local small business owner.
Food and Drink
Because Kappalady and its area are still quite unexposed to tourists, foodies who love to eat from beach restaurants are probably a bit let down here. But don’t be fooled: there’s great food around in this area for sure. Most hotels offer a stay based on full board with extensive lunches involving freshly made papadum and curry and cozy beach BBQs for dinner to end a day well spent on the water.
Good to know: lots of places offer vegetarian/vegan food that conforms to their religion and culture.
If you happen to stay in Negombo after arriving in the country or before leaving, make sure to visit Lords Restaurant; fine dining including a fish spa.
Last but not least, if you visit Nuwara Eliya, If you really want a high-end dinner without paying top-dollar, go to the Grand Indian (come early, you might have to wait in line). Try the Pallek Paneer. Trust us: You will not regret it.
No Wind?
Travel around the island for a few days (or more). There are so many sights and activities. If you only opt to go away for a few hours a day and you visit during winter, make sure to go dolphin/whale watching. Snorkeling and scuba diving are also gaining popularity in the region.
Visiting Wilpattu national park is a great option for a day trip as well as a trip to one of the cultural highlights of the country: Anuradhapura.
USEFUL RESOURCES
Sri Lanka
