Kite Surfing

TOP SPOTS FOR KITESURFING IN SRI LANKA

KALPITIYA

This is widely considered to be the “main” kitesurfing spot in Sri Lanka. Kalpitiya, as well as being the name of the town, is the name of the famous kitesurfing lagoon. With quite shallow, flat water and strong wind, it’s a favourite spot for free riders, wake style kiters, as well as beginners (just watch out for the very shallow areas!). The wind during the high season blows strong- 25 knots average- and can become quite gusty. With close to a dozen schools set up on the edges of the lagoon, this is the easiest place to find lessons and kitesurfing camps in Sri Lanka.

KAPPALADY

Kappalady Lagoon is located just 16 kilometers south of Kalpitiya. The water inside the lagoon is perfectly flat and waist deep, which makes it a comfortable spot for beginners to learn. Wind-wise, it’s similar to Kalpitiya- although arguably somewhat less gusty since its direction of exposure isn’t obstructed by anything big. Kiteboarding at Kappalady is fun as part of a downwinder from Kalpitiya or as a day trip on its own.

MANNAR

This is Sri Lanka’s new dream spot to ride. It’s an island off the northwest coast, one that’s part of a larger archipelago that sits in between Sri Lanka and mainland India. The real magic of this place is Adam’s Bridge, an underwater limestone shoal that trails between the two mainlands. Since the water is crystal clear (and the wind is strong and perfectly stable all around the area) you can kite along the shoal and see it glimmering below you. There’s close to 20 square kilometers of kiteable area here, so you can be sure there’s plenty to see and explore.

VELLA ISLAND

A half hour’s drive and a one hour boat trip up the coast from Kalpitiya, Vella Island is a crowd favourite when it comes to downwinders and day trips. Although it’s fairly out of the way, the journey is definitely worth the effort. Winds are stable and the water is beautifully flat. There’s an easy-to-access launch point on the island (which is the start of a great downwind route); just be aware that it’s an active fishing beach so there are often sharp pieces of bones and such on the beach. Be careful with your kite, and wear booties to protect your feet.

ARUGAM BAY

On the complete opposite side of Sri Lanka, Arugam Bay is a spot best known best for its surf conditions. However, when the wind is right, it’s also a fantastic place to enjoy some wave riding on your kite. There are a handful of kiteable beaches along the bay, the problem is that the wind blows slightly offshore at a lot of them. The best place to head for is The Point, where the wind blows crosshore. There’s a reef a couple hundred meters outside which creates beautiful clean waves that break for 200-300 meters. It’s not the friendliest spot for beginners, but for intermediate riders and wave lovers, this is the place to be.
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