Flat Water boring picture from Shutterstock showing Adams bridge

Adams Bridge Kitesurf Spot in Mannar

Asia Kiteboard Spot in Sri Lanka

Adam's Bridge offers a flat water lagoon for kiteboarding with pumping wind during the summer, and choppy waves on the upwind side of the sandbar. In the winter the wind blows in the opposite direction and so the ocean side offers a stunning playground for hydrofoil kiteboarding and freestyle kitesurfing in offshore wind. With 8 months of wind in the year it’s unsurprising that Adam’s bridge is becoming more popular for kitesurfing, but it’s still very remote without much in the way of infrastructure close by and so isn’t anywhere as busy as the area around Kalpitiya.

Adams Bridge Kitesurf season

Kitesurf nearby
Kitesurf Schools
Coming soon
0
KM
Adams Bridge
beginner, lagoon, flat water
Adams Bridge
240.0
KM
Kappalady Lagoon
advanced, lagoon, choppy
Kappalady Lagoon
206.0
KM
Puttalam - the big Kahuna
advanced, lagoon, choppy
Puttalam - the big Kahuna
251.0
KM
Kalpitiya (Big) Lagoon
advanced, lagoon, choppy
Kalpitiya (Big) Lagoon

Adams Bridge Kitesurfing wind conditions

The two seasons in Sri Lanka offer very different kitesurfing conditions. In the summer season from May until October the wind starts off a little lighter in the morning around 15-18 knots and by lunch time is generally blowing 25+ and even getting up to 40 knots some days. The lagoon has many shallow spots and it can be difficult to see where the water is shallow (ankle deep!), so be very careful when jumping and make sure you know it’s deep enough underneath you! There is only one kite school that teaches here, and they can give you all the information on where to kitesurf or jump, and offer a tractor to the spot and boat rescue. If you want to just kitesurf yourself that’s also possible and there’s another kite camp nearby, you’ll just have to kiteboard upwind from the launch a few hundred metres.

Winter season from December until February the wind blows the opposite direction and only in the afternoon, meaning the ocean side is butter flat and the best for kitesurfing, but it is an offshore spot so more suited to advanced riders. It’s a magical place to hydrofoil as you have unspoilt kilometres to cruise up and down and the water at this time of year is blue and beautiful. Beginners can still learn to kitesurf in the lagoon or from a boat in this season, and the wind tends to be a bit lighter between 14-19 knots. Sri Lanka is warm all year, so board shorts and tshirt are all you need for kitesurfing, but sun protection is incredibly important as the sun is intense.

  • body wear

    • board shorts
    • short neo
  • downwinder

    • Yes
  • ride type

    • freeride
    • freestyle
    • hydrofoil
  • skill level

    • beginner
    • intermediate
    • advanced
    • professional
  • spot type

    • lagoon
  • starting area

    • sandy beach
  • water condition

    • flat water
  • wind daytime

    • in the afternoon
    • all day

Wind Stats for Adams Bridge Kiteboarding

Around the Kiteboarding Spot Adams Bridge

Adam’s bridge gets its name from the Abrahamic myth that Adam crossed the bridge on his way to stand repentant on Adam’s peak (a mountain in the centre of Sri Lanka) for 1000 years. It’s also known as Rama’s bridge which comes from the Indian epic Ramayana, where Rama created the bridge to rescue his wife Sita. Either way, it is a limestone chain of islands which it’s believed once made it possible to walk from Sri Lanka to India, and offers shallow and flat water for kitesurfing! 
There is not much else to do at Adam’s bridge apart from kitesurf and chill. The kite camps are the only places you’ll run into any other travellers, and the local area is very poor and undeveloped. You can head out and try some local food if you have your own transport, but most people come here and stay at one of the camps full board. Jaffna is a worthwhile day trip while you’re here, to see some of the Tamil Hindu area in the North of Sri Lanka. There are many temples to be seen and the old Jaffna fort, the locals are incredibly welcoming and lovely, and the vegetarian food is excellent and quite different in taste to the rest of Sri Lanka.

  • camper parking

    • Not allowed, but possible
  • car parking

    • At the spot
  • emergency

    • A rescue service
  • has restaurant

    • No
  • has toilet

    • No
  • has shower

    • No

How to get to Adams Bridge and how to bring it about while you're there

You’ll need to fly to Colombo Bandaranaike Airport (CMB) and then get a taxi or drive yourself to get to Adam’s bridge. It’s a long trip, around 6 hours if you are lucky and don’t hit too much traffic, as roads in Sri Lanka are slow. If you are driving yourself then be careful, the local driving style can be a shock to visitors and you need to be aware of motorbikes, tuktuks, cows, goats etc doing stupid things without warning. 

  • accommodation

    • at the spot
  • public transport

    • Poorly developed
  • rental cars

    • Not recommended

Notice

The area is remote, the closest shop 30 minutes drive. Anything you want to bring, do the shopping on the way.

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Wind Forecast for Adams Bridge Kitesurfing

FAQs

The best time to kitesurf at Adam's Bridge in Sri Lanka depends on your preferred kitesurfing conditions. The summer season, which runs from May until October, offers strong winds that can reach up to 40 knots. During this period, the flat water lagoon becomes an ideal spot for kiteboarding. On the other hand, the winter season, between December and February, offers lighter winds around 14-19 knots and is best suited for hydrofoil kiteboarding and freestyle kitesurfing in offshore wind conditions.

Kiteboarding Spots around Mannar

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Sri Lanka - Kappalady Lagoon

Kappalady lagoon is a small lagoon around 20km South of Kalpitiya, with warm water and wind for kitesurfing nearly 8 months of the year. It offers less gusty wind than the Kalpitiya lagoon in the summer season from May until September, and flat water for freestyle kiteboarding. It’s the best spot that you don’t need a boat to get to, which makes it a popular place to kitesurf in the area. The lagoon can get busy quickly in the season so knowing how to kitesurf close to others is essential here, but it’s the nicest kite spot in the summer season if you don’t want to get a boat to Vella island. The village itself is very small and the locals are generally friendly and helpful to any foreigners.

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Sri Lanka - Puttalam - the big Kahuna

Puttalam, a district located in the North Western Province of Sri Lanka, is an absolute paradise for kitesurfers. The crown jewel of the area is undoubtedly the Big Kahuna, a popular kitesurfing spot that offers ideal wind conditions, breathtaking views, and a kitesurfing experience that's second to none. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a curious beginner, Big Kahuna in Puttalam will exceed your expectations and provide a thrilling adventure on the waves.

Magical view ower green mangroves at Kappalady Lagoon
Sri Lanka - Kalpitiya (Big) Lagoon

Immersed in the raw beauty of Sri Lanka's western coastline, the Kalpitiya Lagoon is not just a destination for kitesurfing; it's a culturally rich oasis that invites exploration and immersion in a world far removed from the ordinary.
A veritable gem for kitesurfers, the lagoon offers an expansive stretch of flat, waist-deep water. This, coupled with the consistent winds driven by two distinct monsoon seasons, provides an environment that serves both beginners and experienced riders. The southwest monsoon from May to September delivers robust winds, while the northeast monsoon, from December to February, offers gentler yet equally engaging conditions.
But Kalpitiya Lagoon is more than just a prime kitesurfing spot; it's a window into an authentic Sri Lankan experience. Framed by palm-dotted shores and vibrant mangrove forests, the lagoon sits adjacent to local fishing villages, offering a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the rhythms of local life. The warm, inviting community shares its rich traditions and local cuisines with visitors, adding another enriching layer to the kitesurfing adventure.
Beyond the villages, the area's biodiversity is a spectacle in its own right. Between kitesurfing sessions, one can venture into a world of natural splendor, observing the local wildlife, such as dolphins and whales, or exploring the nearby Wilpattu National Park.
In essence, kitesurfing in Kalpitiya Lagoon is not merely a sport; it's an adventure intertwining exhilarating kitesurfing experiences with the rich tapestry of local culture and stunning natural beauty. It's not just about riding the wind; it's about embracing a unique journey that will leave you with memories as vivid as the Sri Lankan sunset.