Kalpitiya

Kalpitiya is a coastal town located in western region of, Puttalam District. The Kalpitiya peninsula consists of a total fourteen islands. It is developing as a tourist destination.

Records going far back reveal that the peninsula was associated with maritime trade and smuggling escapades since ancient times. It was first colonized by the Portuguese in early 17th Century. 

The arrival of the Dutch eventually resulted in the ousting of the Portuguese from here and elsewhere in the island. Historical records show that during the Dutch period of the island's colonial history, the northern end of the peninsula was used as a strategic base for a military garrison and naval outpost to monopolies trade supplies to the mainland. 

A well-preserved Dutch-era fort (incorporating an earlier Portuguese-era church) occupied by the Sri Lanka Navy, and a Dutch church remain today. Nearby at Talawila to the south, a vibrant annual festival keeps alive its Portuguese heritage, at the ancient St Anne's church festival, when thousands of Catholic devotees descend upon the tiny village to celebrate St Anne's Day on July 26 Kalpitiya is known as being the best location for Kitesurfing in the country. 

The summer kitesurfing season is from May to October during the south west monsoon while the winter season is from mid-December to mid-February during the north east monsoon. Indian Ocean around Kalpitiya peninsula is famous for its abundand marine life. 

You can go for dolphin or whale watching boat trips or you can do scuba diving in Kalpitiya. There is more than 20 world class dive sites of depths ranging from 12-20 meters accessible by boat from the shore. The dive sites offer mostly rocky and sand bottom which is home to many kinds of sting rays, moray eels, soft and hard coral, napoleon wrasse, shrimps, nudibranch, barracuda, fish schools and many more. The diving can be arranged via Kalpitiya dive centers or via some specialized hotels like Dune Towers operated by scuba diving family. 

The season for scuba diving and dolphin and whale watching is from November to April each year. During this month the sea is very calm and it allows easy and safe boat trips into the Indian Ocean. Details of dive sites, recent diving reports and other useful information can be found on Dive Report