Alankuda Beach on the Kalpitiya Peninsula

Alankuda Beach is a recently developed stretch of coastline on the Kalpitiya peninsula, off the north-western coast of Sri Lanka. Still relatively unspoiled, it has quietly grown into one of the country's more compelling beach destinations — a place where calm waters and open horizons meet a rich landscape of wildlife, history and culture just a short drive inland.

The beach serves as a starting point for offshore whale watching and dolphin watching at Kalpitiya, making it popular with nature enthusiasts who come as much for the sea's inhabitants as for its shores. For those who prefer to stay closer to the surface, Alankuda offers a full range of water sports: sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing, kite surfing and snorkelling.

Where to Stay

The first four hotels and resorts developed at Alankuda Beach are Bar Reef Resort, Palagama Beach, Khomba House and Udekki. Together they established the beachfront's character — small-scale, intimate and attentive to the natural surroundings.

The Town of Kalpitiya

A visit to the small, nearby town of Kalpitiya rewards those who wish to explore the land around them. It is a vibrant and unspoiled fishing town with an interesting mix of historical buildings from its eventful colonial past.

Landmarks Within Reach

The wider region around Alankuda is extraordinarily rich in things to see. About two to three hours away, the Cultural Triangle contains no less than four of the island's seven World Heritage Sites, with its ruined cities, temples and statues drawing visitors interested in Sri Lanka's ancient history.

Wilpattu National Park, the island's largest wildlife sanctuary, is an hour's drive away. It is home to one of the highest concentrations of leopard in the world, alongside a great variety of other wildlife.

The 17th-century St. Anne's Church in Talawila lies a mere five miles from Alankuda and is the island's most renowned Catholic shrine. According to legend, a Portuguese trader had a vision of St Anne while resting under a banyan tree and returned to build the church that now sprawls over the site. In March and August each year, St. Anne's hosts the largest Catholic festivals in the country, drawing up to 700,000 pilgrims.

Munnesweram Kovil is a much-storied Hindu temple whose origins are said to date back to great antiquity. Dedicated to Shiva and associated with Kali, its deity's name is translated as the Lord of Antiquity and its goddess' as the Goddess of Beautiful Form. It lies about an hour and a half from Alankuda and is considered well worth the journey.

For a more grounded glimpse of everyday industry, the Puttalam salt pans are a half-hour drive away — a fascinating look at what one of our most basic condiments goes through before it reaches the table.