Puttalam

A quiet gateway to Kalpitiya's lagoons and reefs

Puttalam is an area in the northwest of the island country, not far from Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo. This place is well connected to the country's notable urban establishments. Considered a secret treasure trove, it was long left untouched and remained undiscovered for mass tourism for decades. Tourists keep flocking to Puttalam to explore this thinly populated area, and the fascinating mixture of cultures and religions turns this region into a place of diverse identity and a multifarious approach to human society.

Discover

Places to Explore in Puttalam

Discover the historic landmarks, cultural attractions and hidden gems that make Puttalam special.

Kalpitiya Diving Center

Kalpitiya Diving Center is a popular name amongst tourists and locals alike. As Kalpitiya is a lagoon with a total area of 16.73 sq km, it remains a must-visit site, comprising 14 islands that make it a perfect destination for visitors. They are allowed to take part in numerous activities besides the usual sightseeing, and the lagoon offers great scope for adventure watersports. Enriched with a variety of fish species, this place has indeed become one of the leading dry-fish production areas in Sri Lanka. Famous for pearls in history, it receives tourists willing to explore the marine ecosystem, with habitats ranging from bar reefs to flat coastal plains to saltpans, among others.

Margarita Village Kite Surfing

Adventure lovers always love to experience kite-surfing activities, and Margarita Village is definitely a great choice for such an experience. Its Kitesurfing School Manager is a Spanish-certified kite-surfing instructor with years of experience in the industry, and the school ensures personalised kite-surfing lessons and courses in a very safe environment under the guidance of professional and certified IKO instructors. Some popular spots for such activities include Kalpitiya Lagoon, Dream Spot, Ilimpattivu Island and Vella Island, amongst others, all offering excellent opportunities.

Wilpattu National Park

Wilpattu National Park is famous in Sri Lanka for many reasons — its scenic attraction, wildlife and walking trails draw the attention of a large chunk of visitors. Its location, approximately 188km from Colombo, makes it easily accessible. The park is home to beasts like leopards, elephants, bears, deer, crocodiles, reptiles and ample varieties of birds. Its unique feature is the existence of 'Willus' — natural, sand-rimmed water lakes and basins or depressions filling with rainwater, which dry up after the rainy season. Declared a National Park in 1938, its lakes contain water for resident and migratory water-birds.

Surfpoint Sri Lanka Kite Village

Surfpoint Sri Lanka Kite Village teaches travellers as well as locals how to surf for great adventure. Founded in 2009, Surfpoint Kite Village takes pride in being one of the highly professional and well-maintained schools in Sri Lanka. With a number of professionals and equipment setting high standards while maintaining an open and relaxed atmosphere, this experienced training centre allows users to customise lessons to track their progress, ensuring every participant enjoys a great time.

Munneshwaram Hindu Temple

Munneswaram Hindu Temple is an important regional Hindu temple complex in Sri Lanka, welcoming followers of different faiths who visit here for exploration from across the world. Believed to have existed since at least 1000 CE, this temple is known for the myths associated with the popular Indian epic of Ramayana and to its legendary hero-king Rama. Each Hindu festival is celebrated here with great pomp and show, and as one of the five ancient temples dedicated to Shiva in this region, it is popular all over the world — a visit to this temple would change your life forever if you're planning a religious tour.

Epic Encounters Dive & Adventure Centre

Epic Encounters Dive & Adventure Centre is a famous spot in the Kalpitiya Peninsula, popular for its marine ecosystem, which encompasses a diversity of rare habitats — bar reefs, flat coastal plains, saltpans, mangroves, salt marshes and sand dunes. Specified as a marine sanctuary with diverse habitats, it also provides a breeding ground for many species of fish and crustaceans. Its coastal waters are also home to a number of rare water animals such as spinner, bottlenose and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, whales, sea turtles and dugongs — a tour here truly becomes a great occasion to come closer to nature.