Baththalangunduwa

Baththalangunduwa is a small island which is situated off the coast of Kalpitiya in the Puttalam District of the North Western Province of Sri Lanka and is located about 30km from Kalpitiya. Baththalangunduwa is famous for its fishing industry and is home to the island's fishing community. The untouched natural beauty and the large sea area enhance the beauty of the island.

Baththalangunduwa is a great place to experience a different kind of camping experience with the natural environment rather than just going to a hotel on vacation. The island is symbolic for beach camping, sightseeing, bird watching, kite surfing, photography and also Kalpitiya Dutch Fort. Visiting to this island you can collect many unforgettable experiences to your life. Baththalangunduwa is a paradise surrounded by the Indian Ocean where anyone can come and have an amazing vacation.

There is a large lagoon to cross and you have to take a boat ride to reach to your destination. It is the only way to reach to the island. The boat ride from Kalpitiya to Baththalangunduwa consists of amazing views and you can experience it during the boat ride. And also you can see many small island in the lagoon, apart from Baththalangunduwa. If you are hurry to land to the destination you can get a small motor boat which takes 30-40 minutes to reach to the island. Otherwise you can take a large boat which takes around 4 hours to reach to the island. It is easy to go through a lagoon. Because it`s not as hard as going through the sea. There are no big waves as the sea. Therefore, although the journey takes a long time, it is less tiring. There are dolphins in the sea around the island and sometimes you will even get a chance to see dolphins during your boat ride. Passengers can get into a boat which leaves from Kalpitiya jetty and if needed visitors can reserve special boats at a higher price as their preferences. If you are planning to visit there, there are some package providers who provide bunch of things at their prices and you can visit without assistance of package providers, just you and your mates. Only thing you have to do is just inform a boat that you will be coming that relevant date. The downside of going with package providers is that we have to be where they pitched the tent. But if not, we can walk around a bit and pick a nice convenient place that suits us and pitch our tent.

 First, when you reach to the island you can have a little sightseeing and then you can set up your tents in the beach area or any secure place. You can catch some fish for your dinner while discovering fashion of fishing even for someone who has never had such an experience before. In the evening you can see wonderful sunset. It looks as the sun going down like a fireball. And then get ready for your first amazing night in the island. In the night, it is like the heaven in the earth, under the beautiful stars and with the incredible breeze of the Indian Ocean. This great experience is unique within the Baththalangunduwa. When you open the camping tent you can see the whole sea as a clear blue sky on a sunny day and the sea will not hesitate to greet you with a fresh breeze.

 

In the morning you can have sight visit for bird watching and you will be amazed to see the birds there. The island is home to a wide variety of bird species, some endemic to Sri Lanka and some migratory birds from other countries. And also it is very special to see valuable fauna and lot of sea creatures at the island. In the noon you can take a sea bath with your gang and enjoy pure blue water of that beautiful island.

During your camping experience you can prepare you meals by yourself or if you are not willing to make your own meals you can order it from villagers who engage in food supply services. They will provide you yummy meals with fresh fish. You can taste a real seafood meals with crabs, ties, squids or oysters. If you need something or you have any problems during your vacation, you can ask any villager for help. They will do their best to support you. There is no need to worry about that.

Sometime it is too sunny in the island with high temperature. But in the end of your journey you wish you had a few more days in this beautiful paradise. Once someone goes there, they definitely want to go back. In fact, it is such a wonderful, exciting and different experience that one can experience in one's lifetime. It is very exciting camping experience in the island, like an island story which comes in a fiction.

In the midst of it all, you need to be mindful of your own safety. When you set up your tents you must be careful to select a secure place and when you do kite surfing and bathing you must be very careful. Because the sea is very rough and like a hungry dog in that area. Be sure to carry a first aid kit with you.

And importantly you must keep in your mind to prevent from any kind of pollution. You must be ethical enough to keep that environment clean. Should not remove any plants and harm animals. You should carry eco-friendly materials and bring back everything you carried. Do not shout during your visit, as it may be a nuisance to other visitors and animals on the island. And do not chase and frightened the animals you are only allowed to observe the wildlife without trying to manipulate the behavior of the animals and the environment. It may be a different culture you have been but be sure to respect the culture and do not create any conflicts. 

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