Kite in Sri Lanka – Kalpitiya kite options

The Kalpitiya kite-spot: the ocean and the lagoon

• The Kalpitiya lagoon spans around 800 m wide and exceeds 2 km in length, giving you a giant playground of flat water to play in. The launch spot is located on the wide sandbar which separates the lagoon from the Indian Ocean. This is the opposite side to where you find the resorts and hotels, so you will need to take a quick scooter ride over (5-15 minutes, depending on where you are coming from) or use a ride with the bus or the boat of the resort you stay in (5-6 $ / ride). This is also the cost of the safety boat.

The water is shallow (1.5 m max) even in the center of the lagoon. Yet the bottom is muddy and there are those spiny seashells to be careful not to step on.

It is perfect for beginners to discover the kite-sport, improve their skills and become independent riders. The wind is side-on-shore so you get those 800 m large to do your line and you have 2 km long free-ride once you go upwind. All advanced riders can practice tricks on that warm nice flat water.

• The Indian Ocean is wide and nearby. The warm sandy beach is reachable from everywhere. A lot of resorts and hotels are located on the side of the ocean, so depending on your choice – 15mn to the lagoon by tuk-tuk could be also shortened to 5mn to launch your kite and reach the lagoon by free-riding in the ocean.

The water is deep fast because it is the ocean, but it is still warm. A little choppier – waves can be bigger still possible to ride. The wind is side-on or perfect onshore which allows even beginners to start kiting in the ocean. It is safe.

• Vella Island or any island north from the Kalpitiya lagoon is offering a great opportunity for some tricks and fun on perfect flat crystal blue water. Then a great downwind adventure back to the mainland at the end of the day. A one or two-day trip with a boat to the island is also a nice addition to the list of experiences to live on a kite-trip.

There are a lot of uninhabited islands north of the lagoon. Local fishermen use them for fishing and resting, yet the only food and water you get is the one you brought with you. It is a super opportunity for some skills-improvement on the offshore wind. Still, as the island is more of a sandbank 20-30 m large, the onshore beach is close too.

• The “Donkey point” we have not yet discovered, but it seems to be a good spot for riding on some waves!