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Things to do on Sri Lanka's North-West Coast

Things to do on Sri Lanka's North-West Coast

Activities in Negombo, Wilpattu and Kalpitiya

Land at Colombo's international airport to the north of the capital and you alight at the southern tip of Sri Lanka's north-west coast. The convenient beach resort of Negombo is the biggest tourist hotspot but if you travel further north you also discover the beautiful game park of Wilpattu, the remote coastal town of Kalpitiya where you can go whale and dolphin spotting and Mannar, a joy for birdwatchers, where wading birds migrate annually in large numbers.

Negombo succeeds largely as a tourist-orientated beach resort, but there are things to do in this easy-going town other than visit the simple beach bars and restaurants or top up your tan and watch the fishing boats on the horizon.

The Muthurajawela Marshes – a tidal wetland area – lies to the south and several churches tell of Negombo's Catholic heritage. A century’s old network of canals, linking Colombo’s seaport to Negombo, still function as active waterways and, even though they are not particularly well kept, they can be explored by boat, cycling or by foot.

An experience that Red Dot can recommend is a trip to Wilpattu game park, a little light on game perhaps (although leopard sightings are quite common), but what it may lack in animal stocks it makes up for in beauty. You may also spot elephants, deer, water buffalo and sloth bear as well as a feast of birds and butterflies.

Activities in the somewhat remote coastal settlement of Kalpitiya are water-based. Boat excursions into the deep seas to spot whales and dolphins are possible only from December to April when the seas are calm. As in Negombo, you can also enjoy a range of watersports here including windsurfing, scuba diving and snorkelling.

Nearby Kalpitiya, the Annaiwilundawa wetlands refers to a cluster of freshwater reservoirs which act as an important wetland for many resident and migratory birds. Further up the coast, Mannar is also a joy for the committed birdwatcher, especially during migrant season from November to February.

Annaiwilundawa Wetlands

Annaiwilundawa Wetlands

Located near to Kalpitiya, Annaiwilundawa (meaning ‘seven wetlands’ in Tamil) refers to a cluster of freshwater tanks within the sanctuary. It is a very important wetland for many migratory birds.
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Birdwatching on Mannar Island

Birdwatching on Mannar Island

Mannar Island is one of the best spots in Sri Lanka for spotting migratory birds, as well as other animal species. And that can also be an excuse for exploring one of the most lightly-visited areas of Sri Lanka.
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Kitesurfing in Sri Lanka

Kitesurfing in Sri Lanka

The best place to go kitesurfing in Sri Lanka is along the north-west coast, in Negombo and Kalpitiya, both of which are laidback beach towns that are also home to a vast lagoon.
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Muthurajawela Wetlands

Muthurajawela Wetlands

Muthurajawela is situated just south of Negombo. It has a diverse eco-system that is teeming with life: mangroves and other types of flora host numerous types of birds, butterflies and pythons.
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Negombo Architecture

Negombo Architecture

The north-west coast is scattered with Portuguese- and Dutch-period churches. The Negombo Fort and Fort of Kalpitiya still remain, as well as an old network of canals that can be explored by bike.
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Wilpattu National Park

Wilpattu National Park

Wilpattu National Park is arguably Sri Lanka’s most beautiful park. Its varying natural habitats – coastal belt, natural lakes, scrublands, open grasslands and dense forest – house numerous animals.
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Windsurfing

Windsurfing

Windsurfing in Sri Lanka was first started in Negombo, which continues to be a popular spot for windsurfing during the season from December to Apri, as is Kalpitiya, another north-west coastal town.
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