An unforgettable day at Kalpitiya

Kalpitiya is located in Puttalam district, North Western province of Sri Lanka. It is known for its natural environment. It consists of 14 islands. It has a total area of 16.73 km2. The people of Kalpitiya are mostly fishermen. It is now 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 colonised 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 monopolise 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.

It is now developing as a tourist destination. It is a marine sanctuary with a diversity of habitats ranging from bar reefs, flat coastal plains, saltpans, mangroves swamps, salt marshes and vast sand dune beaches. It provides nursing grounds for many species of fish and crustaceans. The coastal waters are also home to spinner, bottlenose and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and the elusive dugong. The Sri Lankan government has now formulated a master plan for the development of tourism industry here.

Alankuda is a stretch of beach in Kalpitiya that is home to a number of beach hotels. The beach is a starting point for off-shore whale and dolphin watching in Kalpitiya and offers various water related activities. Hotels and resorts here include Bar Reef Resort, Palagama Beach, Khomba House, Udekki and Dolphin Beach Resort.

Welcomed us

Dry Fish

Bulks

Preparing them

For a beautiful morning

Fight with their lives

Daily routine

Surrounding

Limitless beauty

Towards Ocean

More views

Boat ride to Uchchamuni Church (8.362885, 79.781896)

Uchchamui church located near to the Uchchamuni Point, it is very difficult to go to this church from land side due to the sands. 4WD vehicles can go there but we took a boat to cover these places by water since we cannot use our bikes and can’t walk for long distance under this hot weather. (GPS – 8.362885, 79.781896)

Reaching to it

It is so beautiful

Its like a foreign church

View of it

Walking to the Uchchamuni Point

Star fish

Innocent Beauty

Another one

It is walking

More to see

Beauty

Lives

Uchchamuni Point

Fishes

Some venomous

Kadolana

Heading to the other church

Still beautiful

Boat ride

More to under the shades

Lovely environment

Heading to the other destination

Reached there

Holy cross church

After visiting Uchchamuni Church we headed to our 2nd destination via the same boat ride. it is Holy cross church located near Kirimundalam . It is also a nice church and clean. Masses are also conducting over there too.

GPS – 8.300335, 79.757262

Amen !

Full view of the church

Nature

Flowers

Back again to the water

Riding again

More to go

Getting closer

After that we reached to our 3rd destination of the day. It is also a church, Motuwarama Dutch Church located near the lagoon. It is like a destroyed church but there is a special construction method used for that church. It is also a well condition church but build with some limestone type materials. That is also a very beautiful attraction and we were lucky to see three uncommon churches in this area. GPS – 8.283593, 79.753852

Here is it

Here is the Motuwarama church

View from the church

Front view

Inside of it

Another part

Beach

Reached to Kalpitya beach

At the end of the day we came to Kalpitiya beach to spend the rest of the time of the day. We were much enjoyed with Kite Surfing but none of us willing to have that experience due to the cost. However we walked here and there to see the environment and the beauty of Kite Surfing.

In Kalpitiya there are two distinct kite seasons – summer season which runs May to October and winter season from mid-December to mid-March. Both summer and winter are warm, dry and windy, but the wind direction changes making every spot a new adventure! Most of our kite trips run year round, with a select few that are season dependant.

The Indian Ocean is ideal for kitesurfing, and the best thing is that its right in front of the camp! The small islets, reefs and sandbanks along the north of the peninsula present the perfect opportunity for downwinders and other kite trips. We organise several kite trips for you to choose from, ranging from beginner level to advanced, and you can kite at a different location each day of the week!

Kite Surfing

Enjoying

Evening view

Donkey again

It a special place

Indian Ocean

Zoomed view

Kalpitiya Beach

More views

Milky sea

Preparing

Life with fish

Another set of tourists

Kite Surfing

Surfing

Wind Mills

Beauty

Coconuts

Good Bye guys

Thank you for reading !

Sobasiri Team ©