Overview

Spot with fantastic conditions for freestyle kitesurfing due incredible wind statistics and flat water. Nothing to do except kiting. In a few years small lagoon will be overcrowded and not worth visiting. We stayed 3 months in 2012 and really enjoyed there.

Spots

There is small lagoon (google "kitekuda" or "kappaladi lagoon"), which is best (more flat and less gusty). Only one small piece is perfect flat, not more than 5 kitesurfers at given time.

And there is big lagoon (Sethawadi lagoon). Wind is really gusty, water is not that flat. Area is much bigger, it can suit lots of kitesurfers.

There are islands to do kite trip, really nice, but far away (1 hour by boat). Nice to visit 1-2 times.

Conditions

Lagoons are perfect flat near shore, tiny chop in general. Shallow from knee deep, waist deep (mostly), overhead (only small parts).

Wind

May to September almost every day. Strongest in May. We arrived in mid-April, wind was blowing every single day! 2-3 days for 12-14m², half for 9m², half for 7m². Little gusty, but I don't care, since its ideally flat.

There is wind in winter time too, season in October-November, 2-3 days in a week, thermal wind in afternoon for 12m² kite.

Wind is blowing offshore in lagoons, but since its shallow, its not a problem.

Sleep

Overpriced in general. Don't expect AC, hot water, only basic things.

There are few kitecamps (KiteKuda - clients complaining, Kitesurfing Lanka - better, Unhooked — new one with good food). There are few guesthouses/hotels with prices like 35-40€ per day with full board (3 meals, which is good, since there is no food around).

There are plenty of $100+ "luxury" accommodation.

There are rooms for rent in houses for $12 (crappy houses).

Food

Nothing. Only street food ("roti"), 2 shitty restaurants (not tasty). Its better to find good accomodation with full board and good cook. Another option is to rent a house with kitchen and cook for yourself (we did that).

Next supermarket is located in Puttalam.

"Unhooked kite camp" can serve you good dinner, if you ask them beforehand.

Going around

You can rent three-wheeler (tuk-tuk) for small distances (5-10 km). If you want to go longer distances (say go to supermarket every week), if you want to get out everyday, you can rent a van/jeep/lorry or tuk-tuk/motorbike. Its really difficult to find someone to help you with personal transport. Much easier to rent transport in Negombo, so if you plan long time stay, its better to rent vehicle there.

Roads are shit, lots of places with sand. Its better to think about jeep/truck 4x4.

Internet

3G dongle was showing good speed (up to 1 mbps) in summer 2012. "Mobitel" provider has best coverage of Kalpitiya. Its clever to buy dongle and sim card in airport, so you won't waste lots of time on arrival.

Flights

AirArabia is flying really cheap to Colombo. AirAsia flies from asian destinations too.

No wind?

Nothing to do [in Kalpitiya], except going around for sightseeing. Temples, national parks, that's it.

Photos

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 087&type=1

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Feel free to ask questions about the spot.

Hey!

Thanks for your report. It is very interessting to read about your experiences in Kalpitiya / Sri Lanka. One big question, where did you stay at the end? Did you stay in one of the expensive kite camps? We are 6 people, do you have some tips or contacts to find accomodation which is cheaper than the prices in Europe? We think, the price per person should be definetly under EUR 30,-- We don't need much comfort, we are just students and we are used to very simple an basic living. Also we will rent a car as you suggested. So we don't need to be directly on the spots.

Thanks for every advice and tip!

We have rented one good house, which is pretty hard to find there.

ask this guy for short-term accomodation in house https://www.facebook.com/sudesh.fernando1?ref=pymk
and also this girl https://www.facebook.com/aina.renolen

Thanks a lot

we have fantastic wind 24/7 and Kalpitiya lagoon is the happening place for kiters.
I have been living in this awesome country for 13 years now, i can tell you there's LOADS of things to see and do.The kiting has NO cons my friends, all pros. Find a nice place next to the lagoon, (for example my brand new one! www.rascalskiteresort.com or www.kalpitiyakitesurfing.com ) and have the blast of a lifetime. There are wonderful islands to be visited, breath-taking downwinders which can stretch for miles, passing very interesting reef wave spots, endless flatwater lagoons, sand spits, you name it, it's here! If you want wind, you might even get tired of it, it blows CONSTANTLY day and night, from May to around middle of September. Full moon lagoon sessions are common practice at our lagoon.
There are many comfortable flights nowadays and it's 3 hrs approx from the airport. The people in our village are very friendly and helpful. It is truly amazing here for kiters!
I hope the info was useful for all, if you have any questions i'll be happy to answer any. we want this place to grow!
ciaoaoaooaooo,
mondy info@rascalskiteresort.com

Very nice review dandaka, how were the downwinders , worth doing?

Yep, downwinders in waves are nice and fun. You can start south from Kappaladi lagoon and go to Kalpitiya lagoon about 15-20 kms.