The Kalpitiya peninsula lies an hour north of Negombo, sandwiched between the Indian Ocean and the Puttalam Lagoon. Along the 40km long spit, interspersed by sleepy fishing hamlets, lie quiet, unspoilt beaches which have yet to see any form of commercialisation.

Kalpitiya is fast becoming a popular destination for adventure seekers. November to April is when the seas are at their calmest and this period is excellent for dolphin and whale watching. Of particular note are the super-pods of spinner dolphin which can number in their thousands. From May to October, the winds pick up with the onset of the monsoon and turns it into a kite-surfers paradise. Offshore, the Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary, Sri Lanka’s largest reef offers excellent diving and snorkelling.

Written by Jonathan Roelofsz for Travel Lanka Compass