Baththalangunduwa Island

 

Sri Lanka is a small country surrounded by the sea.  In Such country the islands mean a common sight. Baththalangunduwa is one of most beautiful islands that takes the attraction not only local but also for foreign tourist.In my experience I can declare that Baththalangunduwa island is a small island surrounded by sea is a fascinating island that attracts the attention of its tourist.

How to visit Baththalanguduwa?

The island is located at a distance of about 38km from Kalpitiya town. Baththalangunduwa island is one of the settlements located from coast of Kalpitiya.

They tourist who visit this island firstly have to go Kalpitiya fishing harbor.After passing 38km from Colombo you can reach then Kalpitiya fishing harbor. From Kalpitiya fishery harbor at 8.00am on all day expect Sunday and arrives after a beautiful 3 hours journey to the island. However only boats from Kalpitiya are allowed to visit the island.

The tourist that go to Baththalangunduwa island they must arrive to the boat station before 8.00am.There is a car park at the same location that makes easier for tourists. The boat that travels to island charge only Rs 700 per ticket which is valid for return to land.

When going on a boat

In the journey the people that  maintain dry fish wadiya can be seen  who lives in small island situated in the middle of the sea. And mangrove environment can be seen which brings a perfect look and also a protector of the beach.

During 3-hour journey tourist can see the “Wilpattu national park” from the right side and place called “gagewadiya”. Gagewadiya is the place where the “kala oya” falls in to sea. Another thing that enhance the beauty of a boat route within a lot experience is travelling through near bottom of lagoon that can be seen.

After landing on the island we can see the fishery activities of the people. There we can take all the luggage and tents what brought by the tourist and after a short distance we can reach the Baththalangunduwa camp. The 1st thing that was done was to set up the tents brought by the tourists.

On the Island

But for the 1st time visitors to Baththalangunduwa island do not have much of an understanding about the island and many boat members give tourist an idea of how to go there. In addition, tourist can buy water from the boat about 20 ml of water by the payment of Rs 800 and by handling over the empty bottles again to the boat tourist can withdraw some money.

Near the boat landing there is a church so many tourists can be seen praying as their first duty. About 90%of Christian people lives in this island .so it's possible to see there are 3 Christian churches and their main livelihood is the fishing industry and they said that every Christian churches various festivals keeps in each year.

Surprising fact is that there is a police station on Baththalangunduwa islands .in addition fisherman say there is a school on island but there is a shortage of teachers. On the island there are several boat workshops. Accordingly, they make their own boat on the island for fishing.

Although it's a small island to some extent has built a number of hotels and various facilities to tourist. In addition, some tourists make their own tent near beach along the coastal side to enjoy the natural beauty. One thing to keep on mind that using of mud water when making their tents. That is increasing of waves speed at night so it's important to consider the making of tents near the beach.

At night the sea water level increase and reach near to the tent but can have an experience that not get before with thrill. At night tourist spend their night with cooking and singing. Baththalangunduwa which is dressed by the moonlight feel more beautiful area night than in the day time.

People from various parts of the country such as Negombo, Kalpitiya , Kandy and Puttlma have come to Baththalangunduwa island for fishery activities. Fishermen say it is their place of work and not a permanent residence. Accordingly, some of them work in "Ice wadiya "and other people go to see to the fishing activities.

According to people lives in Island says that Baththalangunduwa island is disappear due to the increasing of sea water level. Several islands have disappeared due to such incidents in the past and the people in island believes that Baththalangunduwa will face this problem in future but that is nature.

In addition, a major problem face by people in island and tourists the lack of drinking water. Although well was built over the years the water turns in to salty so the dug holes above a meter deep in the island which they dug about 2 hours later so that they believe that it's good to drink.

Only bullock cart is available as a transportation in the island no other vehicle cannot be seen.

Accordingly, after taking experience of all those things visitors return to Kalpitiya next day. For that a boat will start to leave at around 12 noon and reach Kalpitiya at around 3pm.

I invite all local and foreign tourists to come and have a visit this beautiful Baththalangunduwa island like never before.

And lastly, I request from all the tourist that leave only your foot print and take every memory you got. because should leave the opportunity for later visitor to experience the beauty you have experienced.

+94 77 328 6939 

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