Kalpitiya beach
Kalpitiya is a picturesque sandy beach in the south of Sri Lanka, located in Puttalam lagoon near the resort of the same name. The beach, surrounded by mangrove, is especially popular among extreme water sports enthusiasts and ecotourists. People come here to enjoy exciting underwater swimming, take boat tours and have an opportunity to look at dolphins and, rarer, whales, or ride the waves with a kite of windsurfing board.
Photos
Beach description
Kalpitiya's lagoon is a great place for beginner kitesurfers, as the shallow water combines well with wind. The numerous kitesurfing schools and rental stores make this place even more convenient for partaking in extreme sports. You can get to Kalpitiya by bus from Colombo or Negombo.
From December to April, when the water is calm and the days are very sunny, Kalpitiya becomes a popular sea safari spot and grants an opportunity to look at whales. Even sperm whales can be seen from February till March. Tours to Bar Reef - the biggest reef of the country located about an hour away - are also very popular, as Bar Reef is a perfect place for underwater exploration and swimming near rays and reef sharks.
When is the best time to go?
The best time to travel to Sri Lanka is the period from November to April, when the weather is dry. In summer, the rainy season takes place in Sri Lanka, however, the prices this season are much lower. So if you are not afraid of rainfalls (which commonly take place at night, and by morning the ground dries up), a trip in the summer can be a great option for a budget holiday.