There are few places close to the Colombo city which have been recognised as tourist destinations, but Kalpitiya in the Puttalam District is drawing a lot of attention since of late because of the whale and dolphin watching expeditions that are available there. The area is popular as a fishing district and has stayed away from the tourism spotlight up until a few years ago. A large number of locals spotted dolphins and whales off the coast of Kalpitiya and this drew attention to the beautiful town of Kalpitiya. There are several travels and tour companies that offer whale and dolphin watching expeditions all you will need to do is get yourself to Kalpitiya and just ask around.
Kalpitiya is around 170 km from the city of Colombo; it is located in the North Western province. It is a remarkable area because from one side it is surrounded by the Indian Ocean and from the other side it is enclosed by a lagoon. For nature enthusiasts this is a perfect setting, you can go on boat rides in the lagoon and explore the natural vegetation and also observe whales and dolphins out in the sea. For whale and dolphin watching the best place to set off from is the Alankaduwa beach.
Other activities that you can indulge in when you visit Kalpitiya is to go diving or snorkelling along the reef. Since the sea around this region was least damaged by the tsunami of 2004 there is a rich variety of marine life dwelling here. After a diving or snorkelling outing check out the fishing community residing in the coastal areas, you can observe fisherman at work going out in the morning or bringing in their catch by night. The fish markets are also an interesting place to visit, you can choose from a delectable array of sea food at this market and you can be assured to strike a good deal for your purchase. The town was once colonised by the Dutch and remains of the Dutch Fort is a sight to see.
The best way to travel to Kalpitiya is by hiring your own vehicle and preparing for a road trip. Check out Sri Lanka car rental companies for some great offers on 4WDs and cars. Even an airport taxi in Colombo Sri Lanka can offer a package deal on a trip to Puttalam. Try out Malkey Rent A Car where you can choose from a fleet of vehicles as it has some good deals for rental.
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.