Kalpitiya

The Kalpitiya peninsular in the north-west is a marine sanctuary with a diversity of habitats ranging from Bar Reef, the largest coral reef in Sri Lanka, to mangrove swamps and salt marshes. Kalpitiya is rapidly gaining a reputation for sperm whales, which are often present in large numbers and these waters are also home to huge schools of spinner dolphins. Bryde\’s whales, minke whales, orca, short-finned pilot whales, Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphins and Risso\’s dolphins are also seen in this region. As with Mirissa to the south, whale watching starts once the seas have calmed after the south-west monsoon and December to March/April are the peak months for viewing.