A comprehensive Guide to Baththalangunduwa Beach Camping

(Author)By: Sameera Gamage
Sri Lanka Destination Specialist

Have you ever wished to be a pirate, whether as a child or an adult? Then camping in Baththalangunduwa should be on your bucket list. If you visit Baththalangunduwa, you'll enjoy a unique pirate experience. Next to the beach, arrange tents so that you may enjoy yourself fully.

Engage in any of these activities, including searching for treasure, swimming to the center of the ocean, gathering seashells, or performing dancing around a fire. Camping at Baththalangunduwa is unique as it takes place on a beautiful beach. A camping night with your better half or family beneath a blanket of millions of stars is wonderful.

How to Get to Baththalangunduwa for a Memorable Camping Experience

Baththalangunduwa is an island off Sri Lanka's northwestern coast accessible through Kalpitiya, a well-known beach destination in the country. First, let's look at how to go from Colombo to Kalpitiya via public transportation.

1. Your bus fare would be between $2 and $4. However, there are no direct buses from Colombo to Kalpitiya. The bus from Colombo makes a stop at Puttalam, which is 85 miles away. The National Transport Commission provides four-times-daily bus service between Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal and Puttalam. The travel duration would be about 3 hours and 50 minutes.

From Puttalam, it's a 1-hour bus journey to Kalpitiya, which can take around one hour.

2. The train is the second mode of public transportation. Every four hours, Sri Lanka Railways runs a train from Maradana to Puttalam. Ticket prices range from $2 and $3, and the trip lasts four hours and seventeen minutes. It would be best if you took the same bus from Puttalam to Kalpitiya.

Traveling from Kalpitiya to Baththalangunduwa and Boat Ride

To reach Baththalangunduwa from Kalpitiya, you have to drive about 1.9 kilometers down the Palavi-Kalpitiya Road to the Kalpitiya Harbor, where you will check-in for the exciting boat trip. And you have two options for this 1.9-km journey: take a tuk-tuk or a fun walk. Also, note that there will be security checks at the harbor by naval officers.

It's roughly a 50-kilometer boat ride from Kalpitiya, which takes around 3.5 hours. Only boats departing from Kalpitiya are permitted to go to this island. Baththalangunduwa Island takes 3 hours to reach. The boats will leave every Monday through Saturday at 8.30 a.m. Parking is provided at the fishing port inside the park.

Special Remarks


Boats cost $1–$2 per passenger, and there is a $0.20 entry charge to the jetty.

Parking is available in the fishing port area for around $0.50

Bring plenty of water, although there are two stores with limited supplies.

The boat trip lasts 3 hours and returns at 1.30 p.m. You have a maximum of two hours to travel around there.

Camping on the island is permitted as long as visitors carry the required gear.


The ideal time to get to Baththalangunduwa Island is:


Calm Beach/Calm Sea: December to April

May through October and November: hard sea/rough sea


Baththalangunduwa Beach Camping Experience

Baththalangunduwa, bird watching, the Kalpitiya Dutch Fort, kayaking, kite surfing, and a beautiful beach are among the most popular things to do in Kalpitiya. Kalpitiya has a small number of tourist attractions. So, two to three days are enough to see all the city's attractions.

People go to Baththalangunduwa Island to camp out every year, making it one of the country's most popular and well-known camping sites. A nice evening air, a magnificent view of the setting sun, or a night of tents and the lovely sound of the waves smashing on the coast await you at Baththalangunduwa Island beach camping.

People go to Baththalangunduwa Island to camp out every year, making it one of the country's most popular and well-known camping sites. A nice evening air, a magnificent view of the setting sun, or a night of tents and the lovely sound of the waves smashing on the coast await you at Baththalangunduwa Island beach camping.

The dinner on the beach or one of the life-changing and transformative retreats or events is ideal for winding down after a long day. See which one you like best: Choose between a surfing session with surfboards in the ocean, or rest on a sunbed with fresh fruit juice.

The 10-Kilometer Coastal Strip for Beach Hiking

If you're reading this, you're probably acquainted with the sense of escape, serenity, and personal accomplishment that comes with a wonderful beach hike. You already know it's an experience that needs a certain degree of athleticism, a love of the outdoors, and a knack for logistics. It may be a difficult hobby, but each day's walk provides plenty of rewards: a spectacular sunset, a fortuitous meeting with wildlife, or a moment of sublime natural beauty.

Coastal hiking brings these benefits closer together and more often. It offers breathtaking vistas and wonderful experiences that never end. A week-long wilderness trek becomes much more manageable with an expert guide to set up camp, help with cooking, or transport you ahead to the ideal routes. Escape to seclusion with a soundtrack of the waves as you stroll down the 10-kilometer beachfront strip, away from the crowds. At low tide, the hard-packed sands provide a comfortable walking surface where birds congregate.

Plan Your Baththalangunduwa Camping Trip

Sri Lanka's northwestern coast is home to 14 islands. Baththalangunduwa is the most remote of these archipelagos. It is a lovely island that is perfect for beach camping. Now that you know how fantastic this camping experience can be, it's time to take the next steps. Please get in touch with us for additional information and to arrange your next Baththalangunduwa camping trip. As mentioned, planning your next Baththalangunduwa Island beach camping with local travel experts rewards you more.