Puttalam Lagoon
One of Sri Lanka's largest lagoons, broad and shallow, between the Kalpitiya peninsula and the mainland, dotted with islands, mangroves and seagrass.
Puttalam Lagoon is one of the largest lagoons in Sri Lanka, a broad, shallow body of water that stretches for kilometres between the Kalpitiya peninsula and the mainland. From the air it is an incredible sight: long sand spits, small islands, mangrove fringes and seagrass beds in every shade of blue and green. Up close, it is a working lagoon that supports thousands of families.
Fishing is a way of life here. At dawn you will see fishermen wading out with nets, small boats heading for the islands, and prawn and crab catches being sorted by the shore. The mangroves and seagrass beds are important nurseries for fish and shellfish, and the lagoon also attracts plenty of water birds, from herons and egrets to flamingos and other migrants in the cooler months.
The lagoon is also where Kalpitiya's kitesurfing happens, thanks to its flat, shallow water and steady wind. Away from the kite spots, boat trips take you through the mangroves and out to the islands, including Uchchimunai and Baththalangunduwa. Along the shore, the bright rectangles of the salt pans show how the lagoon's water is dried in the sun to make salt, one of the area's oldest industries.
The best way to experience the lagoon is on a boat trip in the early morning or late afternoon, when the light is soft and the birds are most active. Ask your guesthouse in Kalpitiya to arrange a local boatman, and agree the route and price before you go.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Free to view. Boat trips are paid to the boatman.
- Opening hours: Open all day
- Time needed: 2 to 3 hours for a boat trip
- Best time: Early morning or late afternoon, December to April for calm water
How to get there
Between the Kalpitiya peninsula and Puttalam town. Boat trips leave from landing points along the peninsula; your guesthouse can arrange one.