Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Island, Lagoon
Water type: Shallow, Flat
Water hazards: None
Water quality: Clean
Infos: Some days are crystal clear, some time bit brownish color.
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Infos: The whole island is basically a sandbar that divides the ocean from the lagoon, mostly about 50 to 100m wide.
Identified hazards: Shells
Beachgoer: None
Wind type: Trade
Best months: May, June, July, August, September
Access description: by Boat - Daytrip through one of the many resorts and kiteschools around Sethawadiya and Kappalady.
Specific rules: Zones
Extra: Military zone, only licensed boats are alowed to get to the islands (but there are many licensed boats - the local kiteschools arrange trips).
Nightlife: None.
Accommodations: Camping
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Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Lagoon
Water type: Shallow, Flat
Water hazards: Shells
Water quality: Cloudy
Beach type & size: Stones - Big
Identified hazards: Trees
Beachgoer: January, May, June, July, August, September, December
Wind type: Thermal
Best months: January, June, July, August, September, October, December
Access description: by Car -
Specific rules: None
Accommodations: Rooms, School, Shop, Rental, Shower, Toilet, Food, Parking
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Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Chop
Infos: SW monsoon: rough and dangerous chop. NE monsoon: smooth but offshore winds.
Beach type & size: Sand - Small
Infos: Beach is sandy with palm trees. Not much depth, not ideal for kiting.
Identified hazards: Trees
Weather specificities: Very hot location. 30C and humid. Very warm water (27C).
Wind type: Thermal
Wind specificities: This is not a very good spot for kite or windsurfing as the wind is nearly always about 8 knots. When it picks up it is gusty and is generally a tropical storm. The two monsoons means the wind is always either directly onshore or directly offshore. SW monsoon: onshore. NE monsoon: offshore.
Access description: by Car - From Colombo drive south along the coast until you hit Bentota.
Specific rules: None
Extra: No rules, just speak to any water sports center first.
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Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Lagoon
Water type: Flat
Water hazards: Fishernets, Stakes
Water quality: Cloudy
Infos: There are big areas of flat water at different spots in this lagoon because of small sandbars (you can't see it well from the satellite images). However, be very careful because the distances are big (many kilometers) and there are a lot of stakes and long fishing nets in several places. Also, downwind are some very isolated areas with no roads and military restricted land. You don't want to end up there! It is strongly recommended to only explore this lagoon with an experienced guide and boat who can guide your past the nets and take you to the right places.
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: Sri Lanka has two wind seasons: from May to October and from December to March. During summer the strong Southwest monsoon blows. During winter the winds become lighter, blowing from Northeast, North, Northwest.
Best months: January, May, June, July, August, September, December
Access description: by Boat - From Kappalady is in only 10 minutes to the launch spots, but you need a boat to follow you and take you back. Bring lunch and sunscreen. The easy way is to join a trip organized by any of the local kitecenters.
Specific rules: None
Nightlife: No nightlife.
Accommodations: None
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Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: Rocks
Water quality: Cloudy
Infos: Best wave at the point.
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Infos: Long beach, with lots of space.
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Best months: May, June, July, August, September
Access description: by Car -
Accommodations: Rooms, Toilet, Food, Parking
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Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Small wave
Water hazards: Swimmers, Wave breaker
Water quality: Cloudy
Infos: When you walk into the water the current can be a bit strong or the waves are around 1m. To avoid this the advise is to drag out of the first waves. Behind that the water is mainly flat.
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Infos: Long, sandy beach. Some parts wider, some parts more narrow. It's best to start on the right side of the beach (if you look to the sea). As on the left side there is a peer and also the beach for locals. As they also enjoy the water it's best to go to the right side and start in front of the Blue Ocean hotel.
Identified hazards: Trees, Concrete, Bystanders
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: Shorts all year round.
Wind type: Thermal, Trade
Wind specificities: Best months are January until March.
Best months: January, February, March
Access description: by Car - From Colombo drive north to Negombo (about 1.5 hrs drive). From the international airport Negombo is only 15 minutes driving up north. Take a tuk tuk, a boardbag fits!
Specific rules: None
Nightlife: In Negombo is plenty of nightlife, pool bars and good restaurants especially on Ethukala road. Besides an outside club next to the Oasis Hotel, pubs such as Sherryland are good places to hang out. Local people also go to these places. For the big clubs and nightlife you have to go to Colombo.
Accommodations: Rooms, School, Shop, Rental, Shower, Toilet, Food, Parking
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Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Water type: Medium wave
Water quality: Clean
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Best months: May, June, July, August, September
Access description: by Car -
Specific rules: None
Accommodations: None
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Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean, Lagoon
Water hazards: Fishernets, Shells
Water quality: Cloudy
Infos: Look out for sharp shells if you ride in the lagoon. Cleaner wind on the ocean side but the waves can be messy.
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: Shorts all year with water around 29C.
Wind type: Thermal, Trade
Wind specificities: Sri Lanka has two wind seasons: from May to September and from December to March. During summer the relatively strong Southwest monsoon blows (most kiters are on 9m to 12m kites). During winter the winds become lighter, blowing from the Northeast. The lagoon can be gusty. Cleaner wind on the ocean side.
Best months: June, July, August, September
Access description: by Car -
Specific rules: None
Accommodations: None
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean, Island, Lagoon
Water type: Shallow, Flat
Water hazards: Fishernets, Shells
Water quality: Clean
Infos: Perfect start for a long downwind trip, military zone, sign up with any of the Sethawadiya or Kappalady kiteschools for a trip.
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Identified hazards: Shells
Beachgoer: None
Wind type: Trade
Best months: May, June, July, August, September
Access description: by Boat - Military zone, only licensed boats are allowed to get to the islands (but there are many licensed boats - the local kiteschools arrange trips).
Specific rules: Zones
Extra: Military zone. No infrastructure, bring everything you want to eat and drink.
Nightlife: None, bonfire.
Accommodations: Camping
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Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Lagoon
Water type: Shallow, Chop
Water hazards: Shells
Water quality: Cloudy
Infos: The water is choppy on the east side of the lagoon.
Beach type & size: Sand - Small
Infos: There are trees along the east side of the lagoon.
Identified hazards: Trees
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: Shorts all year with water around 29C.
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: The wind is usually pretty gusty here, since it passes over land upwind. The wind is clean only when it comes from the West or WSW, which only happens occasionally during the main season (May through September). During the rainy season (December through February), the wind here can however become just as clean as in the Kappalady lagoons to the south. However, the winds during the rainy season are typically weaker and not as reliable as the winds during the dry main season (May through September). The wind can be funky there (it can be hard to keep your kite in the air when launching and landing). For better conditions, kite across the lagoon to the west side, where there are some areas of flat water. The wind is better there but still gusty because of the land and obstructions upwind.
Best months: January, February, May, June, July, August, September, December
Access description: by Car - Take a car or a tuk-tuk to any of the resorts along the east side of the lagoon.
Specific rules: None
Extra: Schools, rentals, repairs and accommodation can be found near by.
Nightlife: No nightlife, just chill and relax at your resort or hotel.
Accommodations: Rooms, School, Repair, Rental, Shower, Toilet, Food, Parking
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Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean, Lagoon
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Chop, Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: Fishernets, Buoys
Water quality: Clean
Beach type & size: Grass, Sand - Big
Identified hazards: Shells, Other
Wind type: Trade
Best months: January, February, May, June, July, August, September, December
Access description: by Car, Bus, Train, Boat -
Specific rules: Zones
Accommodations: Rooms, Camping, School, Shop, Repair, Rental, Rescue, Shower, Toilet, Food, Parking
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Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Medium wave
Water hazards: Rocks
Water quality: Clean
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Best months: May, June, July, August, September
Access description: by Car -
Specific rules: None
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean, Island, Lagoon
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Chop, Small wave
Water hazards: None
Water quality: Clean
Infos: 16 km of flatwater, virtually untouched part of Sri Lanka.
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Beachgoer: January, February, December
Weather specificities: 32 degrees all year round. Tropical Paradise.
Wind type: Thermal, Trade
Wind specificities: 2 seasons for Kitesurfing: May to October and Mid December to Mid February.
Best months: January, February, May, June, July, August, September, December
Access description: by Car, Bus, Train -
Specific rules: Zones
Extra: Island 2 and 3 are protected areas for migratory birds during sometimes of the year.
Nightlife: Pretty quiet for now. Vayu will build a bar for 2017 Winter Season!
Accommodations: Rooms, Camping, School, Rental, Rescue, Shower, Toilet, Food, Parking
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Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean, Lagoon
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Chop, Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: Shells
Water quality: Cloudy
Infos: Flat water on some parts of the lagoon, but those parts can be extremely shallow, so be careful. There is deeper (but choppy) water further out. There are notable wind channels because of the land upwind, so the area with strong wind is not always the same as the area with flat water.
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Infos: Very long, sandy spit between ocean and lagoon.
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: Shorts all year with water around 29C.
Wind type: Thermal, Trade
Wind specificities: The wind is usually pretty gusty here, since it passes over land upwind. The wind is clean only when it comes from the West or WSW, which only happens occasionally during the main season (May through September). During the rainy season (December through February), the wind here can however become just as clean as in the Kappalady lagoons to the south. However, the winds during the rainy season are typically weaker and not as reliable as the winds during the dry main season (May through September).
Best months: June, July, August, September
Access description: by Car - You need a 4x4 vehicle to drive onto the spit. Another option is to launch from one of the many resorts on the east side, but the wind has big holes there. It is sometimes hard to keep your kite in the air on the east side of the lagoon.
Specific rules: None
Accommodations: None
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Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Chop, Small wave, Medium wave
Water quality: Clean
Infos: The coast of Kandathoduwa is directly exposed to the ocean swell. This results in a nice, kiteable beach break with 5-8 ft waves. These conditions are more suited to intermediary and advanced kiters. In the winter, the water is pitch flat in the morning, and a small chop builds with the thermal wind. The water stays typically pretty flat until about 3 o'clock, then some wind waves are forming. It's not bump and jump at all, though, the wind waves are regular, as there is no cross chop.
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Infos: The beach is endless (it virtually stretches for 30 km), and you will be the only kitesurfers for sure at this beach.
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: It has the same wind probability like Kalpitiya. In the summer month (May to September), the wind blows 100% of the time with kite-able force (14-24 knts). The wind blows side-on from Southwest. The proximity of the Kerala coast facing Sri Lanka channels the Southwest monsoon, and strongly reinforces it. Kandathoduwa becomes thus globally one of the locations with the most consistent wind. In the winter, the Northeastern monsoon is thermally reinforced. In the afternoon, there is about 90% of kite-able wind with a strength of 12-20 knts. The wind blows sideshore. Other than in Kalpitiya, the wind does not flow over land in the summer. Thus, it's much less gusty. Because the wind is sideshore, and the thermal effect steadies the wind, the winter month are a fantastic time for less experienced kitesurfers.
Best months: May, June, July, August, September
Access description: by Car -
Specific rules: None
Accommodations: Rooms, School, Rental, Toilet, Food, Parking
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Medium wave
Water hazards: Rocks
Water quality: Clean
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Identified hazards: Rocks
Beachgoer: None
Best months: May, June, July, August, September
Access description: by Car -
Specific rules: None
Accommodations: None
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean, Lagoon
Water type: Flat, Small wave, Medium wave
Water quality: Cloudy
Infos: Flat-water lagoon. The water is shallow enough to enable you to stand and touch the bottom if you want to, but deep enough to throw tricks (thigh-deep to chest-deep). There is one butter-flat, deep-water trick spot downwind of the sandspit where most people rig up and launch. Elsewhere in the lagoon small ripples and wavelets can form when the wind is strong. On the ocean, there are small to medium waves. Downwinders can be made from here to the bigger (but gustier) Sethawadi lagoon to the north.
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Infos: Big sandy beach with lots of space. You can also rig and launch on the east side of the lagoon, which is convenient if you are staying in the Kappalady village.
Identified hazards: Fence
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: 29C in the water all year round. Shorts and t-shirt weather.
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: The spot is best from May through September when the strong Southwest monsoon blows. The wind here is a lot smoother than at the bigger Sethawadi lagoon to the north. Sri Lanka has two wind seasons: from May to October and from December to March. During summer the strong Southwest monsoon blows. During winter the winds become lighter, blowing from Northeast, North, Northwest.
Best months: January, May, June, July, August, September, December
Access description: by Car - From Puttalam drive towards Kalpitiya. At the Palankuda junction, bear left towards Kappalady. If you need directions, ask for "Kappalady" - all locals know where it is.
Extra: Downwinders are possible from this spot to Donkey Point or even further to the Sethawadi lagoon. "Donkey Point" is the area with waves where the beach veers sharply to the east. You can land either here (still stable wind) or continue further downwind to the Sethawadi lagoon (gusty wind). Another nice option is to start your downwinder further south and finish in Kappalady. There are several areas with decent waves between Norachalai and Kappalady.
Nightlife: No nightlife, just chill and relax and your resort. There is one restaurant in a resort in the village, and another one at a resort upwind of the lagoons.
Accommodations: Rooms, School, Repair, Rental, Shower, Food
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Medium wave
Water hazards: None
Water quality: Clean
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Best months: May, June, July, August, September
Access description: by Car -
Specific rules: None
Accommodations: None
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Small wave
Water hazards: Wave breaker
Water quality: Cloudy
Infos: The groyne and sand creates nice and clean (but small) waves here. The quality of the waves are among the best along the coastline, but the waves are usually small. Be careful though - if you ride too close to the beach you will get into areas with wind holes because of the small buildings upwind.
Beach type & size: Grass - Small
Infos: Small beach.
Identified hazards: Trees
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: 29C in the water all year round.
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: Sri Lanka has two wind seasons: from May to October and from December to March. During summer the strong Southwest monsoon blows. During winter the winds become lighter, blowing from Northeast, North, Northwest.
Best months: May, June, July, August, September
Access description: by Car - An easy way to get here is to either tack upwind from Kappalady, or stop and play here when doing a downwinder from Norachalai to Kappalady.
Specific rules: None
Nightlife: No nightlife.
Accommodations: None
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Small wave, Medium wave
Water quality: Cloudy
Infos: Decent waves here because of the shape of the sandbar.
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: Works best during the strong Southwest monsoon (May to September). Sri Lanka has two wind seasons: from May to October and from December to March. During summer the strong Southwest monsoon blows. During winter the winds become lighter, blowing from Northeast, North, Northwest.
Best months: May, June, July, August, September
Access description: by Car - This beach is isolated and has soft, deep sand so you can not drive here except with a very good 4x4 vehicle. The easy way to get to this spot is by doing a downwinder from Norochcholai to Kappalady. Then stay and enjoy the waves at this spot before continuing to Kappalady.
Specific rules: None
Nightlife: No nightlife.
Accommodations: None
View spot