Kalpitiya is located in Puttlam District, 170km away from Colombo. Kalpiya
consists of 14 islands and known for its serene beauty. It has a total area of 16.73
km2. The people of Kalpitiya are mostly fishermen. It is now developing as an
attractive tourist destination and a hot spot for Kite Surfing and Whale and
Dolphin Watching. Kalpitiya was associated with maritime trade and it was first colonized by the
Portuguese in early 17th Century. 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 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 seas off Kalpitiya Peninsula became famous relatively recently – in 2005 – when large pods of Spinner dolphins were spotted. These dolphins were mainly
found in an area that ran north-south parallel to the Kalpitiya peninsula, in-shore
off the reef, which is commonly known as the ‘Dolphin Line’. The coastal waters
are home to Spinner Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins, Risso Dolphins and Indo- Pacific humpback dolphins, whales and sea turtles. The best time for dolphin
watching in Kalpitiya is from November to March/April. Kalpitiya is also a popular place for kite surfing. The kiting season is from May to
October and during the season wind blows at an average of 18 – 20 knots – 24
hours a day for 7 days a week. There is a second season from December to March, where you get 4-5 days a week windy, the wind pick up in the afternoon between
15 and 20 knots.

• KALPITIYA LAGOON

The lagoon is particularly well known for providing excellent kitesurfing and
windsurfing weather conditions; the wind in the area can vary but is generally
thought to be suitable for watersport activities throughout the season. The
lagoons are huge, with generally still waters and a few small waves. There are
courses available locally for kitesurfing and windsurfing, as well as kayaking
adventures through the lagoon’s mangrove forests. Adventurous tourists can
also participate in standup paddleboarding across the sea and the lagoon.

Season to Visit
To take advantage of the best kiting weather, Kalpitiya Lagoon should be visited
between the months of April to October. If visitors would rather enjoy a dolphin- watching excursion, aim to visit between November and April. However, if you
want to spot sperm whales, embark on a safari to the depths of the Indian Ocean
between the months of December to April, to increase your chances of spotting
these graceful beasts!
There are also several tours that take intrepid adventurers across the lagoon via
a boat, with tour guides that can point out the different species of birds and
animals spotted in the wilderness. There are also some historical sites that can
be explored in the lagoon.

•  DUTCH CHURCH KALPITIYA

The Story of the Colonial Church
The history of the Dutch Church at Kalpitiya is an interesting one. The town was
once known to the ancient Tamil people of Sri Lanka as Kav Putti. Located in the
North-Western province of Sri Lanka, Kalpitiya was a popular trading hub for the
Arab merchants that passed through it centuries ago. Eventually, during the
colonial era, the town was occupied by the Portuguese in the early 16th century
and renamed to Kardiv Island, and subsequently bestowed to the Society of Jesus
by the King of Portugal. The reigning King of Kandy at the time, King Rajasinghe II, turned to the Dutch
for help in reclaiming his land from the Portuguese. Subsequently, the Dutch
conquered the area in 1659, but later refused to hand the town back to the king
and instead constructed a fort that was completed in 1676. Kalpitiya was a
strategically important location for the Dutch to control the external trade of the
Kingdom of Kandy. Here, 350 meters from their fort, they built a small church.

British Occupation, Abandonment, and Renovation
When the British occupied the island at the end of the 18th century, the Dutch
retreated to Colombo and the British found the fort abandoned save for one
Dutch administrative officer, who surrendered to them. Services at the church
were stopped, and the building was subsequently used by Anglican missionaries. The church was renovated around 1840, and the belfry is the original one. The
church was managed by the Archeological Department of Sri Lanka until 2010
when it was given to the Dutch Reformed Church. The structure of the church is fairly simple, however, the most intriguing feature
is the tombstones on the floor with various inscriptions and epitaphs to read.

• KUDAWA BEACH

Kalpitiya is situated more than 150 kilometres north of Colombo, but it is quickly
becoming a highlight of what Sri Lanka has to offer. Located in the country’s
North-Western province in the Puttalam district, Kalpitiya is home to 14 small
islands with a reputation for stunning sunsets and secluded visits. Kudawa Beach
is one of the best beaches in the area, with calm waters all year round that makes
it a perfect location for a quick dip.

An Epicentre for Watersports
The beach serves as a hub for numerous water sports from kite surfing to boat
rides along the lagoon or the sea. Set sail to the depths of the Indian Ocean on a
whale and dolphin-watching excursion; a popular past-time in Kalpitiya. The
surroundings are home to a diverse ecosystem from bar reefs and mangrove
swamps to salt marshes and thriving waters. Visitors may also rent out a kayak
to explore the beaches and lagoon for themselves.

Ideal Time to Visit
For the best watersport weather, tourists should plan to visit between April and
October, when the waters are calm but the winds are perfect for windsurfing and
kitesurfing. If watching dolphins and whales is the more attractive feature of the
area for you, the best months to visit are between December and April.

•  KALPITIYA DUTCH FORT

Sri Lanka has its own rich history and culture to display throughout the island, but it is also home to the remnants of various invasions from its past. The
Kalpitiya Dutch Fort is one of many examples of these.

Colonial History
Kalpitiya was once a well-known trading hub for passing Arab merchants. In the
mid-16th century, the Portuguese conquered the town and renamed it to Kardiv
Island. Sri Lanka’s reigning monarch at the time, King Rajasinghe II from the
Kingdom of Kandy, turned to the Dutch for help in retaking his land. However, after the Dutch invasion, the land was not returned back to the king. Instead, the
Dutch began the construction of a fort which was completed in 1676. The
location was a strategically important point that allowed the Dutch East India
Company to control the Kingdom of Kandy’s external trade.

Highlights of the Fort and its Utilisation
The fort is a square-shaped structure with walls that reach up to 4 meters high, and it was constructed using coral and limestone from the surrounding area. It
features bastions at each of its four corners. In 1795, the fort was taken over by
the British, who occupied it until the mid-19th century in 1859. During Sri
Lanka’s decades-long civil war, the fort was used as a base by the Sri Lankan
Navy for its training and operational activity.