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Tuesday October 7, 2025
Kitesurfing articles
Sunrise Kayaking in Kalpitiya’s Mangroves with UCPA
Welcoming UCPA to Our Kayaking Experience
While our sunrise kayaking tour has long been popular among solo travelers and small private groups, we recently had the chance to host our first UCPA travel group in Kalpitiya.
UCPA — known for curating active, outdoor-focused trips — included the mangrove kayak tour in their Sri Lanka itinerary for the first time. The combination of calm paddling, rich biodiversity, and early morning atmosphere offered their group a unique and meaningful nature experience.
We’re proud to now be part of the UCPA Sri Lanka travel program, and happy to see our tour resonate so well with group travelers who value authenticity and environmental connection.
If you’re looking to experience a different side of Kalpitiya — one that’s not about adrenaline, but about presence — this is it.
Sunrise kayaking through the mangroves is peaceful, eye-opening, and rewarding. And through KSL’s own replanting efforts, you’ll know you’re staying with people who care about the ecosystem you came to enjoy.
Discover Kalpitiya Kayaking Tour with KSL
Kalpitiya is famous for its consistent wind and world-class kitesurfing — and rightly so. But there’s a quieter, lesser-known side to this coastal region that’s just as rewarding.
Outside of the kite zone, Kalpitiya is one of Sri Lanka’s most important biodiversity hotspots, especially for birdwatching. The surrounding mangrove forests, mudflats, and lagoons support hundreds of species — from herons and kingfishers to the striking Brahminy kite soaring overhead.
If you’re looking for a slower, more immersive way to experience this landscape, sunrise kayaking through the mangroves is a perfect choice. It’s peaceful, beginner-friendly, and gets you up close to the ecosystems that make Kalpitiya so unique.
What You’ll See
The Kalpitiya mangrove system, part of the broader Puttalam Lagoon region, is home to a surprising variety of life. As you paddle through narrow water channels, expect to see:
🐦 Birdlife
- Brahminy kites – large birds of prey with distinctive white heads and reddish-brown wings, often circling high above the water
- White-throated kingfishers – bright blue flashes perched on branches or diving for fish
- Little egrets and other herons – elegant waders hunting in the shallows
- Cormorants – drying their wings on mangrove roots after diving
- Sandpipers – fast-moving shorebirds often spotted in small groups along muddy banks
- Migratory birds – depending on the season, this may include pelicans, terns, and other coastal species
🐟 Aquatic Life
- Small lagoon fish swimming between mangrove roots
- Fiddler crabs on muddy banks, waving their oversized claw
- Snails, prawns, and mud crabs hiding in the shallows
🌱 Mangrove Forest
- Species like Rhizophora mucronata, Avicennia marina, and Ceriops tagal
- Dense root systems that filter water, stabilize the coastline, and provide habitat for hundreds of species
Why Mangroves Matter
Mangroves are one of the most powerful natural tools we have to protect coastlines and support marine life. They:
- Absorb large amounts of carbon, helping mitigate climate change
- Filter water and trap sediment, improving lagoon water quality
- Prevent erosion and storm damage with their dense root systems
- Provide nurseries for fish, crustaceans, and countless bird species
Kayaking through these ecosystems gives you a firsthand look at how crucial and delicate this natural balance is — and why it’s worth protecting.
Our Role in Supporting Biodiversity
While the kayaking tour takes place in natural mangrove areas near the lagoon, KSL has been replanting mangroves on its own property — not directly on the shoreline, but within the resort’s grounds.
This small-scale but meaningful project is part of our long-term commitment to:
- Supporting native species and microhabitats
- Improving soil quality and water retention
- Creating a learning space for guests and locals about mangrove importance
- Contributing to biodiversity restoration in the region
We don’t just guide you through nature — we actively invest in its future.
What to Expect – Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
| Start Time | Around 5:30 AM (depending on sunrise) |
| Duration | 2.5 to 3 hours |
| Group Size | Small groups (2–6 people) |
| Difficulty | Beginner-friendly, slow pace |
| Guide | English-speaking local nature guide |
| Kayaks | Sit-on-top, single or double |
| Provided | Life jackets, paddles, dry bags |
| Bring | Water bottle, sun protection, clothes that can get wet, waterproof camera bag |
You’ll start with a short safety and paddling intro, then explore sheltered mangrove channels at a relaxed pace, stopping often to observe wildlife and learn from your guide.
Who Should Join?
This experience is great for:
- 🌍 Digital nomads wanting a mindful way to start the day
- 👨👩👧👦 Families looking for a calm, nature-based activity
- 🧘♂️ Solo travelers who enjoy early mornings and wildlife
- 👯 Small groups who prefer something off the beaten track
- 🏄♀️ Kitesurfers adding variety to their Kalpitiya stay
Booking & Availability
- ✔️ Available most mornings (weather permitting)
- ✔️ Small groups only — booking ahead is recommended
- ✔️ Ask at reception or message us to reserve your spot
- ✔️ Combine with breakfast or a slow morning at the resort afterwards
