West Coast of Sri Lanka - long palm-lined beaches
Kalpitiya Lagoon in Sri Lanka's Northwest Province
The area between Negombo and Mannar can be called both "west coast" or "northwest coast". To the north of Colombo, only the beach resort of Negombo is part of the Western Province administrationally.
The coastline between the river mouth of the Maha Oya near Negombo and the peninsula of Kalpitiya near Puttalam, situated in Sri Lanka's Northwest Province, is almost straight, without crescent coves. But in this region, in particular around Chilaw and Marawila, there are some lagoons and there is a larger choice of higher-end hotels and clubs providing large pools. Negombo has much more numerous and a much wider range of accommodation. Because Negombo is located even closer to the Colombo International Airport than Colombo City, Negombo is and the more lonesome beaches just north of the Maha Oya are a comfortable starting point of round tours.
Kalpitiya Peninsula in the Northwest Province and Mannar Island, belonging to the Northern Province, do not have a choice of high-end hotels, most accommodations are mid-range or budget, including numerrous homestays. The hotels of Kalpitiya and Mannar usually do not provide swimming pools. Exceptions are Palmyrah House on Mannar Island, which is not close to a beach, and the expensive Koddu Kalpitiya close to Kalpitiya town. The lagoon of Kalpitiya Peninsula and the very northwestern tip of Mannar Island, where the Ram Setu chain of islets starts, are Sri Lanka's best kitesurfing destinations. Only Kalpitiya has a large choice of kitesurfing schools. Both kitesurfing areas experience monsoon and anti-monsoon winds. Main kitesurfing seasons on Mannar are May to October and January to March. On the peninsula of Kalpitiya, the monsoon season from May to October delivers strong south-west winds all day long, ranging from 18 to 30 knots. During the anti-monsoon season from December to February, the north-west winds are lighter, between 12 and 24 knots, and more suitable for beginners. Both seasons are sunny, normal climate conditions provided.
The coastline between the river mouth of the Maha Oya near Negombo and the peninsula of Kalpitiya near Puttalam, situated in Sri Lanka's Northwest Province, is almost straight, without crescent coves. But in this region, in particular around Chilaw and Marawila, there are some lagoons and there is a larger choice of higher-end hotels and clubs providing large pools. Negombo has much more numerous and a much wider range of accommodation. Because Negombo is located even closer to the Colombo International Airport than Colombo City, Negombo is and the more lonesome beaches just north of the Maha Oya are a comfortable starting point of round tours.
Kalpitiya Peninsula in the Northwest Province and Mannar Island, belonging to the Northern Province, do not have a choice of high-end hotels, most accommodations are mid-range or budget, including numerrous homestays. The hotels of Kalpitiya and Mannar usually do not provide swimming pools. Exceptions are Palmyrah House on Mannar Island, which is not close to a beach, and the expensive Koddu Kalpitiya close to Kalpitiya town. The lagoon of Kalpitiya Peninsula and the very northwestern tip of Mannar Island, where the Ram Setu chain of islets starts, are Sri Lanka's best kitesurfing destinations. Only Kalpitiya has a large choice of kitesurfing schools. Both kitesurfing areas experience monsoon and anti-monsoon winds. Main kitesurfing seasons on Mannar are May to October and January to March. On the peninsula of Kalpitiya, the monsoon season from May to October delivers strong south-west winds all day long, ranging from 18 to 30 knots. During the anti-monsoon season from December to February, the north-west winds are lighter, between 12 and 24 knots, and more suitable for beginners. Both seasons are sunny, normal climate conditions provided.
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