Guide to kitesurfing spots in Sri Lanka

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Guide to kitesurfing spots in Sri Lanka

admin user iconBy Admin Posted on January 25, 2022

Guide to kitesurfing spots in Sri Lanka

Have you heard that Sri Lanka has been voted the best kitesurfing spot in the world? The best kitesurfing places in Asia can be found in Sri Lanka. Yes, the west coast of Sri Lanka does have some of the most excellent beaches in the world. With over 400 kilometers of coastline, there are a plethora of kite sites with consistently strong winds! Are you looking for a place to kite in Sri Lanka? The most authentic kitesurfing places in Sri Lanka may be found near kitesurfing spot Kalpitiya!

Sri Lanka is known as the Indian Ocean's Pearl. This island is a stunning country in the south of India that has grown in popularity as a tourist destination in recent years. In addition to its cultural legacy, Sri Lanka has some of Asia's top kitesurfing sites.

The primary kitesurfing season in Sri Lanka runs from the end of May until the beginning of September. The wind is quite strong throughout these months, with an average of 18 to 20 mph. However, in the winter, the average wind speed is roughly 14 to 16 knots. It makes no difference when you visit Sri Lanka for a kitesurfing tour because you may go whenever the wind is blowing!!

Kalpitiya is the ideal place to learn kitesurfing in Sri Lanka, thanks to its lagoon with flat water. As the water level changes with the tide, beginners can easily practice kite flying. From Kalpitiya, kitesurfers can also venture to nearby spots such as Vella Island, Ippantivu Island, or Dream Spot, all offering flat water perfect for honing kite skills!

Kitesurfing Season in Sri Lanka

Kitesurfing season in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, there are two main seasons for kitesurfing: summer and "winter."

The primary kitesurfing season in the best kitesurfing spot in Sri Lanka spans from the midpoint of May until the end of September (or the beginning of October if the weather is excellent). The wind is most vigorous and constant during this season, blowing 18-28 knots daily.

The 'winter' kiteboarding season in Sri Lanka begins around mid-December and lasts until February or the beginning of March. The wind blows 15-20 knots on average during this period, albeit it is less consistent than during the primary season.

KITESURFING IN SRI LANKA

Even for the most passionate kiteboarders, a vacation to the best kitesurfing spot in Sri Lanka is as much about taking in the stunning scenery and colorful culture as it is about taking advantage of the world-class kitesurfing.

Sri Lanka's lush green jungles, rolling hills, and colorful (although hectic) city life have an irresistible allure; yet, despite the country's recent civil war, you'll find the people to be friendly and hospitable to visitors, and the day-to-day lifestyle to be one of peace and happiness.

Because of its mighty wind and famed flat water lagoons, northwest Sri Lanka maintains a unique place in the hearts of the touring kitesurf clan. Although Kalpitiya is the central kiteboarding hub in Sri Lanka, there are many more spots to fly your kite in this beautiful and fascinating island nation.

Let's start with some basic information on kitesurfing in Sri Lanka, and then we'll get into more depth about the best places to ride.

When is the best time to kitesurf in Sri Lanka?

There are two breezy seasons in Sri Lanka, but the primary kitesurfing season is from mid-May to the end of September. The winter season lasts from December to mid of February/early March, albeit the wind is less steady at this time.

Average water temperature: Water temperatures average 29 degrees Celsius during the summer.

Wetsuit recommendation: You won't need a wetsuit during the high season. It will suffice to wear board shorts, bikinis, or a minor rash vest and shorts.

Beginner's tips

Kalpitiya is Sri Lanka's central teaching hub, although the lagoon is typically busy, and the water can be dangerously shallow in places. If you plan on kiting here, keep in mind that the wind picks up over the day; thus, most riders will go out in the afternoon.

Beginners may find it easier to practice their riding skills earlier in the day when the weather is calmer and less crowded. Alternatively, they can go to Kappalady, where there are usually fewer people, and the water is always waist-deep.

Here are a few tips for beginners to follow before they start to kitesurf in Sri Lanka:

DO NOT REACH FOR THE BAR.

This is perhaps the most critical line you can read before starting your journey to becoming an independent kitesurfer if you have never taken a kitesurfing instruction before. Either that or you've heard it a million times before in your kitesurfing classes! The basic premise here is that pulling the bar gives you more power, and when you're in difficulty (maybe because your kite is giving you too much power) and start to panic, you'll reflexively grab the bar tighter and pull it towards you. The majority of people do this in order to have something to grasp on as they begin to crash.

This, on the other hand, will just make you crash harder. You'll wind up with more power precisely when you needed it the least! When in doubt, it's significantly better to either completely release the bar or, more typically, gently push the bar away from you. This not just depowers the kite but also relieves the tension in the steering lines, slowing the kite's turn. So, if your teacher repeatedly says "release the bar" during your first class, don't panic; it's all part of the plan and one of the most crucial kitesurfing tactics you can learn.

THE HAND POSITION IS ESSENTIAL.

Golf, tennis, and beach volleyball are all examples of sports where grip is crucial. However, in kitesurfing, we don't want to see you gripping the bar with your hands too close to the edges, which can make your kite overly sensitive in turns. This can cause problems when you need to fly the kite with one hand, as letting go with one hand while the other remains on the bar can cause the kite to quickly veer off to the side and potentially crash.

If you're aiming to get the board on your feet and maintain the kite steady at 12 o'clock, keep your hands as close to the midsection of the bar as possible. Any professional kitesurfer, whether in the racing, freestyle, or wave-riding disciplines, will place their hands close to the middle of the bar. Bear that in mind when you're learning to kitesurf!

Keep some tension in your steering lines at all times, and keep in mind that you can also fly your kite while releasing the bar.

This refers to the concept that at least one of the steering lines should always be taut. This will eventually enable you to know where the kite is in the sky and fly it without having to continuously monitor it. Many beginners who take kitesurfing lessons from me complain about having a stiff neck from constantly arching their head back to watch the kite soar far above them. We never encounter this problem since we are not fixated on our kite when we are flying it.

Kitesurfers with a lot of experience will keep just enough tension on their lines at all times - 1) to have enough power and pull from their kite, and 2) to be able to feel the kite's location without having to look at it. Remember that if you want your kite to have less power, you should pull the bar away from you. You can also push the bar far from you, but avoid doing so symmetrically on both ends of the bar as this will result in losing control of the steering.

Your bar should be completely released when you relaunch and land your kite.

When the bar is completely released, two things happen: 1) Your kite will be depowered entirely, and 2) the steering lines will be free of stress. This implies that guiding the kite will be extremely difficult, while you are unlikely to be dragged by your kite. It's far safer to land and launch your kite on the beach when it's completely depowered and then gently and slowly pull it down to the edge of the wind window. To accomplish this, you must control the kite's descent by grasping the top floater's end.

Proofread: (When the kite is at 12 o'clock, you should only have enough tension to manage the kite but not enough to be pulled downwind.

Going offshore is the ultimate source of frustration for anyone taking kitesurfing instruction or riding alone. This is because, in order to recapture your upwind position, you'll almost certainly have to do the infamous 'walk of humiliation' back up the beach. This is exhausting and time-consuming.

Kalpitiya lagoon

Kalpitiya Lagoon, a fast-growing tourist resort in Sri Lanka's Puttalam District, is made up of 14 small islands that cover an area of around 16 square kilometers. It's located around 165 kilometers north of Colombo. The peninsula and its beaches are noted for their beautiful sunsets and relative privacy; however, this may change as the area becomes more popular.

Kalpitiya lagoon

A Floating Lagoon with Exciting Activities

The lagoon is well-known for its outstanding kitesurfing and windsurfing weather; the wind in the area varies, but it is generally considered appropriate for windsurfing activities throughout the season. The lagoons are enormous, with mostly calm seas and only a few minor waves. Kitesurfing and windsurfing lessons are provided locally, as well as kayaking expeditions through the lagoon's mangrove forests. Tourists who are up for a challenge can go standup windsurfing across the sea and lagoon.

The Best Time to Visit

Kalpitiya Lagoon should be explored between April and October to take advantage of the best kiting weather. The best time to go dolphin watching is from November to April. If you want to see sperm whales, go on a safari to the deepest parts of the Indian Ocean between December and April to enhance your chances of seeing these magnificent creatures!

Several boat cruises transport daring travelers across the lagoon, with tour operators who can point out the various species of birds and animals seen in the wild. The lagoon also has various historical places that can be visited.

The Best kitesurfing spot for beginner

Sri Lanka has risen to the top of Asia's kitesurfing rankings! Few kiteboarding venues in the world provide 9 months of wind per year, an endless supply of flat water lagoons, and a paradise-like setting! Sri Lanka is ideal for learning and developing kitesurfing due to its flat water locations. In Sri Lanka, numerous kite schools can assist you in getting started.

Sri Lanka also offers a fascinating history, an old culture, and some of the world's friendliest people.

We created this guide to provide you with all the essential information for your upcoming windsurfing trip to Sri Lanka in one convenient location! Haven't heard about kiteboarding in Sri Lanka or the kitesurfing spots there yet? Sri Lanka has established itself as a top kitesurfing hotspot worth visiting. This guide will give you all the information you need to plan a kite trip to Sri Lanka.

The Best location for lessons

The greatest kitesurfing sites are on the Kalpitiya Peninsula, which lies north of Colombo. The kite spot component of the Sri Lanka Kiteboarding guide is as follows:

The Dream spot

The Dream Spot is one of the top kitesurfing sites in Sri Lanka. Like Kalpitiya Lagoon, we get 9 months of wind per year.

This kite spot is only 15-20 minutes from Kalpitiya and is located on a long, empty beach. What makes the Dream Spot so unique as a kiteboarding location? Simply put, it is a highly secluded water spot, very rarely used, and with very few kiters around, all in a natural and unspoiled setting. The Dream Area is the best kite spot near Kalpitiya for getting away from the crowds. Additionally, the wind is much more consistent and less gusty in the summer than it is in the Kalpitiya lagoon.

Dream spot for kitesurfing

Kalpitiya town is around 20 minutes away from the Dream Spot. The Dream Spot is arguably one of the top kite sites in Sri Lanka. This fantastic kite site is located on Dutch Bay and is easily accessible by boat. There is a sandy road leading from Kalpitiya beach to Dutch Bay, and we could also reach there via track, although on some days it can be extremely sandy and even flooded (depending on the rain and the tides). Organizing a boat that can take up to 6 people is the simplest way to travel to the Dream Spot in Kalpitiya.

When is the greatest time to go kiting at the Dream Spot?

Summer and winter are both ideal for kiteboarding at this idyllic location. There is an incredible downwind voyage from the Dream location to Ippantivu island and even to the Wilpattu National Park boundary gate during the summer season (from May to October). In the winter, the Dream location is a great place to end a downwind cruise from Navy Point or Vella Island. The Dream spot is also an excellent location for learning to kite due to the side shore winds.

kiting at the Dream Spot

Vella Island

Imagine a kite spot with everything: a paradise island, flat ocean, and a consistent average wind of 25 knots. Isn't it possible that this is only a dream? On the other hand, Vella Island is a place on the planet that meets all of these criteria. Vella is one of Sri Lanka's top kitesurfing spots.

You'll probably find these conditions in only a few places on the planet. If you go to Vella Island, keep in mind that the wind is frequently much stronger than in Kalpitiya, and the kiting conditions are fully offshore (not suitable for beginners).

Vella Island as ultimate kiteboarding destination

Are you thinking of going kitesurfing in Sri Lanka? The wind blows continuously in Sri Lanka from May to October and December to March, allowing us to enjoy this kitesurfing heaven all year round! All of Sri Lanka's top kite locations are on the west coast, where the wind is particularly strong in the summer. Vella Island, above all the kite sites in Sri Lanka, is a kitesurfing paradise and a top kitesurfing location worldwide.

There are other interesting kite places in the Kalpitiya area that are worth seeing, but Vella Island is the finest!

Among all the kite spots, Vella Island is the best. This tiny island, located north of Kalpitiya, is the training ground for many professional kitesurfers. The wind on Vella Island is the best in Sri Lanka, and you should not skip it if you are planning a kite trip there.

What Is The Wind Like On Vella Island?

In the summer, the wind on Vella Island typically reaches 25-30 knots, which is 3-4 knots stronger than the wind on Kalpitiya lagoon. If you're planning a kite trip there between May and October, it's recommended to bring small kites ranging from 7 to 10 meters. The wind is lighter in the winter, around 16-18 knots.

Is It A Suitable Kite Spot For Beginners?

Due to the offshore winds, Vella Island is a good site for skilled riders but not for novices. If you can't edge properly and ride upwind, Vella Island is not the place to go unless you want to end up in Wilpattu National Park, which is right in front of Vella.

Ippantivu Island

A few kitesurfers came from Ippantivu to kitesurf before last year, but this island is quickly becoming a popular kitesurfing destination in Sri Lanka. This kitesurfing island, often known as "Mini-Vella," is about 30 minutes from Kalpitiya by boat. Ippantivu is a small island surrounded by mangroves with only a few fishing huts. You won't find any infrastructure on Ippantivu, and you'll be alone with your kite, high wind, and incredibly flat water. Ippantivu lies approximately midway between Vella Island and the Dream Spot

Location for kitesurfing in Ippantivu!

Ippantivu is a small island in the Puttalam lagoon with a strong prevailing wind. Wilpattu National Park is to the east of this little island, and Dutch Bay is to the west. With a stronger wind than at Kalpitiya lagoon, this kite area experiences a Venturi effect from this vantage point. Because of the offshore conditions, Ippantivu, like Vella, is not a recommended site for novices.

Conditions for kitesurfing on Ippantivu Island

The small island in the middle of the Puttalam Lagoon can be reached by boat from Kalpitiya in just 30 minutes. Enjoy a scenic 30-minute boat ride before kiteboarding on the azure waters! This is one of Sri Lanka's best pristine kitesurfing sites, still relatively unknown and hidden, making it an awesome and authentic spot. For kitesurfers, this spot is similar to Carneval in Rio, but without the crowds, offering an unforgettable kitesurfing adventure for you and your friends.

Uchamunai/ Navy Point

Another fantastic flat water kitesurfing site in Sri Lanka is Navy Point! If you're planning a kite trip to Sri Lanka in the winter, make sure to stop by Navy Point. This flatwater area is located at the end of "Dutch Bay" and is fantastic. During the winter, it is possible to do a downwind through the ocean from Navy Point to Kalpitiya.

What is the location of Navy Point?

Located at the far end of Dutch Bay, Navy Point is one of the top kitesurfing places in the winter. This site is behind a large reef and a sand strip, with offshore winds that are more suited for experienced kiters. It takes about 30 minutes to get to Navy Point from Kalpitiya lagoon. There are no fishermen's huts in this undeveloped area, and the Navy is presently in charge of the entire area.

The Donkey Point

Kandakulya, a small fishing town 10 kilometers south of Kalpitiya, is home to Donkey Point. Donkey Point is located near a navy camp and can be reached directly by car along a sandy road (20 minutes from Kalpitiya town). While the wind in the Kalpitiya lagoon might get a little gusty in the summer, the wind is quite consistent at Donkey Point, making it an ideal site for kiteboarding in the ocean. However, Donkey Point is hardly a beginner's paradise.

Kitessurfing in the Donkey Point

This is the best kite site in Kalpitiya for ocean kiteboarding if you are a wave rider. Donkey Point is located near a cape about 10 km south of Kalpitiya and can be reached by vehicle, tuk-tuk, or motorcycle from Kalpitiya. Once you've arrived at Donkey Point, you can find very consistent and powerful winds during both kitesurfing seasons in Sri Lanka.

kappaladi lagoon

Without a doubt, Kappaladi Lagoon is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to learn to kitesurf. This small lagoon is about 20 kilometers south of Kalpitiya and is surrounded by beautiful resorts and kite schools. Kappaladi has a strong and consistent wind from May to September, and because the location has flat and shallow waters, it's an excellent place to learn to kitesurf.

Location on the lagoon of Kappalady!

Kappalady lagoon is around 20 kilometres south of Kalpitiya near Kappalady town. The community of Kappalady is still relatively rural and traditional, with fishing being the major source of income.

This settlement is located before Kalpitiya if you arrive from Negombo airport or Colombo capital. In the Kappalady junction, turn left from the main road.

The lagoon in Kappalady is flanked by coconut farms, papaya plantations, and banana plantations. You can only imagine how lovely it is!

The kitesurfing conditions in Kappalady's lagoon

This lagoon, like Kalpitiya, has many kite schools, but it is much smaller. Due to the wind not penetrating easily in the winter, you can only kite in this lagoon during the summer. The wind can be quite strong during the summer months, as it is in Kalpitiya, with average speeds of 18 to 25 mph.

After Kalpitiya, Kappalady is one of the most popular spots to learn to kite in Sri Lanka during the summer season.

Mannar

Mannar, the next island north of Kalpitiya, is also a great place for kitesurfing. Many islands have very flat seas and consistent winds, making it the new paradise for riding in Sri Lanka. It's a small island off the northwest coast of India, part of a bigger archipelago between Sri Lanka and the mainland. The true highlight of this location is Adam's Bridge, an underwater limestone shoal that connects the two mainlands. You can kite around the shoal and see it glisten beneath you since the water is very clear, and the wind is strong and completely stable throughout the area. There are about 20 square kilometers of kiteable land here, so there'll be plenty to see and do.

Kitesurfing In Mannar

Mannar Island in Sri Lanka is a perfect kitesurfing site with beautiful scenery, few other kitesurfers on the ocean, 16 kilometers of flatwater conditions, and Sri Lanka's most reliable and consistent winds. Due to the venturi effect, which occurs when air is forced between the landmasses of Sri Lanka and India, generating a pressure difference and ideal kitesurfing conditions, the wind consistency and strength are outstanding in Mannar. On the windward side of Adam's Bridge, you can enjoy kilometers of flatwater as well as a mix of wave action.

Arugam Bay

Arugam Bay is one of the most well-known surfing spots in the world, located in eastern Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, the breeze is not as consistent as it is in Kalpitiya, but if you are fortunate enough to find a breezy day, get ready to kitesurf among some of Asia's greatest waves! The best time to visit Arugam Bay is from May to September, when the weather is warmer, and the atmosphere is more conducive to surfing. On windy days, it's frequently side-offshore, so check the weather forecast before diving in!

Arugam Bay Kitesurfing Spots

Pasarichenai Beach is a long and wide beach that is just a short walk from the main kitesurfing spot behind the cape. It is less crowded than Arugam Bay and offers ample space to launch and land your kite. You will be able to kitesurf among some of Sri Lanka's greatest waves! Another popular kitesurfing spot in Sri Lanka is Whisky Point, which is roughly a 15-20 minute drive north of Arugam Bay. Wait for a strong windy day if you are an experienced, confident kite surfer who enjoys the challenge and pleasure of surfing on waves.

So are you ready to kitesurf in Sri Lanka?

kitesurf in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an excellent year-round kitesurfing location, as it has the best winds in Asia from May to October and December to March, for a total of around 10 months of optimum winds every year.

When it comes to wind statistics and kitesurfing seasons, Sri Lanka is among the best in the world. The country has been shown to provide ideal wind conditions for surfers of all levels to learn and improve. Scorching winds blow in from the Middle East during the summer, slamming into Sri Lanka's western shore. Winds from Southeast Asia impact Sri Lanka in the winter, generating ideal thermal winds for kitesurfing.

With the winter season approaching and everyone searching for a much-anticipated vacation, consider visiting kitesurfing spots in Sri Lanka to experience winter season kiteboarding, as well as other renowned tourist destinations while relaxing at one of the country's premium holiday resorts.