Dinuda Resort Kalpitiya Kite-Surfing and adventure activities at its best

The Kalpitiya Peninsula offers visitors a well-rounded beach vacation, complete with a variety of water sports. Among the most popular are kite-surfing, jet skiing, canoeing, and newest sand-boarding, as well as diving and snorkeling at the nearby Bar Reef. In recent years, kite-surfing has emerged as the top activity among visiting foreign enthusiasts, especially in the calm and expansive waters of the Kalpitiya and Dutch Bay Lagoon- an ideal setting for kite-surfing, windsurfing, kayaking, and surfing.

MD Wasantha Withanage

The lagoon is also a rich fishing ground for local communities, known for its abundance of lagoon crabs, prawns, and lobsters. Stretching from Kudawa, Dutch Bay Island extends nearly 32 kilometres northwards, reaching the ocean off Wellamundalama, near Wilpattu National Park.

Catering to kite surfers and water sports enthusiasts alike, Dinuda Resort has become a popular holiday destination for adventure seekers. Located in Sethawadi, on the west coast of the Kalpitiya stretch and bordering the breathtaking Dutch Bay Lagoon, Dinuda Resort serves as a welcoming haven for travellers exploring the Peninsula.

With the popular summer kite-surfing season now underway, the excitement continues through October, followed by the winter season from December to mid-February. Catering to kite surfers and water sports enthusiasts, Dinuda Resort remains a favourite getaway for both Sri Lankan and international adventure seekers.

Nestled in a somewhat remote location, the resort overlooks the tranquil Dutch Bay Lagoon and the scenic sand strips of Dutch Bay Island and beyond. It offers guests a perfect escape — blending comfort, serenity and unspoiled natural beauty.

Started in 2011 as a modest four-room bungalow, Dinuda Resort has evolved into a key facilitator of adventure water sports in the Kalpitiya region. Nestled among palm trees and large wild kumbuk trees by the lagoon- today, the resort offers 18 rooms, including two rustic, tastefully furnished wooden cabanas just a few steps from the lagoon, along with eight deluxe rooms and eight spacious family rooms. The Family Rooms provide a restful, airy ambience, beautifully furnished and equipped with modern conveniences, ideal for families or groups seeking the perfect holiday escape. Each room, housed in a separate chalet, features air-conditioned bedrooms, spacious living areas, satellite TV and a large open-front veranda with views of the lagoon — all complemented by a full range of modern amenities.

‘The name Dinuda is my daughter’s name and the resort is designed to offer both a relaxing and adventurous holiday experience to all travellers looking to escape the fast-paced city life’ said Wasantha Kumar Withanage, MD of Dinuda Resort and the Chairman of the Kalpitiya Hoteliers Association. 

‘It has become especially popular among kite surfers and now offers a range of activities including adventure excursions and boat cruises to Gange Wadiya, Baththalangunduwa, Uchchimuni, Mohothuwaram and to Wilpattu’ he added.

Apart from adventure, Dinuda Resort quickly gained popularity for its wide range of seafood cuisine, freshly prepared from the day’s catch. Situated close to one of the island’s richest seas and lagoons, the resort boasts an abundance of seafood.

The menu features both local and international dishes, with the kitchen catering to a diverse array of palates.

‘Fresh catches from the sea - lagoon crabs, prawns, lobsters, and a wide variety of fish -are prepared using traditional Sri Lankan methods and are favourites among both Sri Lankan and foreign guests at the resort. Seafood prepared by Chef Lakshman, with years of experienced behind him, is not just a meal but a true culinary journey’ said Wasantha.

‘BBQs are also served at the restaurant, featuring fresh seafood purchased directly from local fishermen. In keeping with our eco-friendly policy, all fresh vegetables are sourced from local farmers. Sri Lankan traditional cuisine remains especially popular with our local travellers’ added the resort’s manager.

The resort is equipped with well-maintained boats, kayaks, and kite-surfing equipment. Boat rides and excursions can be arranged upon request. Other activities include oyster picking, grove boat tours, and 4WD adventure drives along the beach and surrounding areas, extending to St. Anthony’s Church at Mohothuwaram and Velankanni Church in Uchchimuni for just Rs 3950/- including breakfast and lunch with for a minimum group size of 8 people.

Night camping tours to Baththalangunduwa, Uchchimuni, and Gangewadiya are also popular among travellers visiting the resort.

‘Boat safaris to Gange Wadiya and into the surrounding wilderness, Dolphin and Whale watching are especially popular with domestic travellers’ said Wasantha. ‘We also organise jeep safaris to Wilpattu National Park and guests can even enjoy a scenic boat ride across the lagoon to reach the park’.

Kalpitiya is a haven for migratory birds during the winter season, offering bird lovers an unforgettable bird watching experience. Additionally, cultural and historical excursions to Kuveni’s Castle inside the Wilpattu National, the Kalpitiya Dutch Fort, and Thalavila Church remain favourites among Sri Lankan travellers.

The room rates for Dinuda Resort range from Rs.12,000/- per person to Rs.14,500/- FB  basis.

For more details, call 0773420339 or log onto www.dinudaresort.com

Pix by Sanath Weerasuriya