🌊✨Are you looking for an off-the-beaten-path island in Sri Lanka to spend a day or 2 isolated from everyone?
Baththalangunduwa Island camping is the best option for that. You can even go by yourself, or you can get some camping packages offered by the Sri Lankan people. Here, this guide will help you with camping at Baththalangunduwa Island and everything you need to know.
Baththalangunduwa is a remote island off the north-west coast, about 50 km from Kalpitiya. It’s famous for its long boat ride, untouched beaches, and unforgettable camping experience.
This little island may be far away, but once you arrive, the peaceful vibe and stunning sunsets will make you feel like you’ve stepped into another world.
Where is Baththalangunduwa? 📍
- Located off the coast of Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka – (around 25 nautical miles from the Kalpitiya Jetty)
- It takes around 3.5 hours by boat from the Kalpitiya jetty to reach this island
- It is the second-largest island among the 14 in this area
- Baththalangunduwa Island covers about 145 hectares
How to Get to Baththalangunduwa Island 🚤
- Boats leave Kalpitiya Jetty daily at 8:30 am
- Ticket price: around Rs. 250 per person (updated 2024.03.30)
- Ferry ride takes about 3–3.5 hours
- The return boat leaves the island around 1.30 pm
- You can also book private boats for more comfort (higher price)
💡 Tip: The ride can get bumpy. Sit in the middle of the boat to avoid too much sea spray.
You can park your vehicle in the harbour if the parking is not too crowded. Just ask the security guy before parking your vehicle in the harbour parking
There are two main ways to reach Baththalangunduwa Island from Kalpitiya: the public boat or a private boat. Both offer a fun sea journey, but they’re quite different in comfort and cost.
Option 1: Public Boat Service (Budget-Friendly) 🚤
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to reach the island, the public boat is the best choice.
It operates Monday to Saturday from the Kalpitiya Jetty and leaves around 8:30 AM.
⏰ Important:
Arrive at least 30 minutes early because the Sri Lankan Navy will check your belongings before you board. They don’t allow alcohol (liquor) on the public boat, so please avoid bringing any.
🕒 Travel Time: About 3.5 hours (non-stop)
💸 Ticket Price: Around Rs. 250 per person (as of last year – please comment below if the price has changed)
📅 Return Trip: Leaves Baththalangunduwa at 1:30 PM every day except Sunday
It can get quite crowded, so going early will help you find a good seat. The ride is long but safe — even if it rains will not be a problem.
This option is perfect and the only option if you’re travelling solo or on a tight budget. You’ll have to share the journey with locals, fishermen, and other travellers, which adds to the island adventure!
Option 2: Private Boat or Camping Packages 🛶
If you want a more comfortable and flexible experience, you can hire a private boat.
You’ll easily find boat operators around the Kalpitiya beach area, but expect to pay around Rs. 1,500 per person or more for the one-way trip.
Many locals also offer full camping packages that include everything you need for the trip — from the boat ride to meals and camping gear.
Here’s an example of what you can expect 👇
💰 Package Price: Around Rs. 8,500 per person (minimum 5–6 people)
Includes:
- 🚤 Two-way boat ride
- ⛺ Camping tents
- 🍛 Lunch, dinner, and breakfast with two refreshments
- 🚽 Toilet facilities
- 💦 Unlimited drinking water
- 🔥 Unlimited BBQ!
I can share some contacts I have, 0779399503 / 0769111827
If you’re looking for someone reliable, I can personally recommend a boat operator I contacted last year:
📞 0760251991 – I don’t remember his name, but he’s a really nice guy!
He offered me the same package for Rs. 7,500 per person and handled everything perfectly.
He owns two boats and knows the best camping spots. On our way to Baththalangunduwa, he even took us to two small islands between Kalpitiya and Baththalangunduwa — the views were absolutely breathtaking! 🌴✨
I can’t describe how beautiful that trip was — you just have to go and see it for yourself!
A Little Note About the Boat Ride 🌊
This motorboat ride was honestly the most enjoyable — and the most painful — journey of my life! 😅
Throughout most of the trip, our boat was literally flying above the sea because of the high speed and strong sea breeze. Every time it hit the water again, I could feel the thump — my poor back and butt surely did too! Some boats don’t have cushioned seats, so prepare yourself for a bumpy adventure.
Even though we stopped at two small islands along the way to explore and walk around, we still reached Baththalangunduwa within three hours. So, it’s the fastest ride & definitely one of the most thrilling ones.
One more thing — most private motorboats don’t have roofs or covers, so if it starts raining, you’ll be completely open to the wind and water. 🌧️
But don’t worry too much — experienced boat riders know how to avoid the rain. They often change their route when they spot rain ahead, so you might just get a few drops instead of a full soak.
Just hold tight, enjoy the salty air, and get ready for one unforgettable sea adventure! 🚤💨
What to Do on Baththalangunduwa 🏕️
Beach Camping 🌅
The island is best known for camping right on the beach. Imagine falling asleep to the sound of waves and waking up to a golden sunrise.
My Baththalangunduwa Camping Experience 🏝️
This was honestly one of my best beach camping trips in Sri Lanka. It felt like another world — completely isolated from my home island and so far away from everything familiar. The experience was truly next level!
There are many places to camp along the Baththalangunduwa beach, but some areas are definitely better than others. I recommend finding a spot with a few trees nearby, as they’ll give you much-needed shade during the daytime. Without that cover, the sun can be really harsh when it’s directly overhead.
If you’re travelling solo and using the public boat service, remember that the ferry stops on the opposite side of the island from the best camping area. You’ll need to walk across to reach it and then set up your own camp. Don’t worry — I’ll mark the exact location below so you can find it easily.
If you’re using a private boat or camping package, you’re in for an easier trip. The boat will take you directly to the camping area, and all you have to do is relax and enjoy the view. Just remember to give the boat riders a hand when they’re pulling the boat up onto the beach — a small gesture goes a long way!
When you book a full camping package, everything is arranged for you — tents, food, water, and even a BBQ! You just have to sit back, unwind, and soak up the island magic. 🌅
🌅 Evening Vibes and Beach Camping Experience
As the sun began to set, the whole island turned golden. The sky was mixed with orange and purple shades, and the calm sea reflected the colours beautifully. It was one of those moments you just want to pause and take in — quiet waves, a cool breeze, and that peaceful island feeling.
After sunset, it was time to light up the BBQ. The smell of grilled seafood mixed with the sea air — honestly, it felt like the perfect evening. Most of the camping packages include a BBQ dinner, so you can just relax and enjoy while they prepare the food. The BBQ was so good that it disappeared as soon as it hit the grill! The cooking speed couldn’t keep up with how fast everyone grabbed the food.
With a few cold beers, good company, and the sound of the waves, it was the perfect way to end the day. Everyone was laughing, sharing stories, and enjoying the island vibes.
When night fell, the beach turned into a magical place. There were no city lights, only the stars above and the sound of waves nearby. The sky was full of stars, and you could even see the Milky Way if the weather was clear. Sitting by the fire with friends, sharing stories, and watching the waves under the moonlight — that’s a memory you’ll never forget.
If you love night photography, this is a great time to capture long-exposure shots of the stars and the glowing horizon. Just make sure to keep your camera safe from the sea breeze and sand.
Before sleeping, I lay inside my tent listening to the sound of the ocean. The cool night wind and soft sound of the waves made it one of the most peaceful sleeps I’ve ever had.
Photography & Nature 📸
The views are magical — from sunsets to fishing boats and even the starry night sky. Don’t forget your camera!
There are so many beautiful places and natural scenes to capture on this island! If you love photography, Baththalangunduwa is a paradise. You can check out my Facebook page to see some of the amazing photos I took during my visit — they’ll give you a good idea of what to expect.
Evenings are the best time for photography here. The sky turns golden and orange as the sun sets over the horizon, creating the perfect backdrop for your beach shots. 🌇
When you walk through the Baththalangunduwa village area, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to take unique photos of the local culture and daily life. The people here are very friendly and welcoming. You can talk with them in Sinhala or Tamil, and some even speak a little English. Many will happily share stories about their simple island life.
Don’t forget to explore every corner of the island — you’ll find birds, beautiful seashells, fishing nets, and many small details that make this island so special. Every turn has something worth capturing.
Enjoying the Sea Breeze 🌬️
One of my favourite things to do during any beach camping trip is to simply enjoy the sea breeze. Some people go right to the edge of the beach to feel the waves touch their feet, while others even take a dip in the sea. But this time, I decided not to — because the waves were strong and there were no barriers between the beach and the open ocean.
I even saw a few campers getting pushed back to shore by the powerful waves, completely covered in sand! So, if you’re planning to get into the water, please be very careful. The current can be strong enough to pull you back into the sea.
Later in the evening, as the sun began to set over the horizon, the waves became calmer. That’s when I walked to the edge of the beach to let the water touch my feet and feel the cool breeze. It was such a peaceful moment — the orange and golden sky, the gentle sound of the sea, and the calm beach made it feel truly magical. 🌅
Best Time to Visit 🕒
- December – April 👉 Calm seas, perfect for camping
- May – October & November 👉 Seas are rough, avoid travelling
Local Life on the Island 🙏
Baththalangunduwa is a fishing community where life is simple and peaceful.
- You’ll see fishing huts, boats, and nets everywhere.
- The island has several small churches with colourful feasts each year.
- Water is scarce, so bring your own supply.
- Some of them are not permanent residents; families come during the fishing seasons.
🏝️ Exploring the Village Life
If you walk through the Baththalangunduwa village, you’ll see many small wooden houses — simple, humble, and full of character. Life here feels peaceful and uncomplicated.
If you’re travelling alone, you might even be able to buy a meal from one of the local families. Just ask around politely — some villagers offer breakfast, lunch, or dinner parcels for a small price. I didn’t try them myself because my trip was part of a full package, but even our hosts arranged their meals through the locals.
After spending time on the beach, you’ll probably get covered in salt and sand. Don’t worry — just walk into the village and ask for fresh water. The locals usually sell 20-litre buckets of clean water for about Rs 100. Two buckets are more than enough to wash off the salty water, and they’ll even show you a private spot to wash up, especially helpful for ladies.
There are also a few small village shops where you can buy snacks and basic items. Don’t expect much variety, but it’s nice to support them and experience the local life.
Things to Know Before You Go ⚠️
- ⛺ Bring your own camping gear, food, and drinking water
- 🧴 Protect your electronics from sea spray
- 🐟 Respect local life — this is both a workplace and a home for fishermen
- 🗑️ Don’t leave trash behind — keep the island clean
- 🕊️ It’s very quiet and peaceful, so avoid loud music or disturbing the vibe
🚻 Toilet Facilities – What You Should Know
The only downside during my trip was the toilet facilities. Some basic toilets have been built for campers, probably by the local hosts, but unfortunately, they weren’t well-maintained.
There was a large water tank nearby, and you had to fill a bucket before entering the toilet. The toilets were simple wooden structures with a commode inside. However, the biggest issue was cleanliness — they weren’t properly cleaned, and it was hard to use them comfortably. Some toilets didn’t flush properly, and the smell wasn’t pleasant at all.
Another problem was that a few doors didn’t have proper locks, so you might need someone to stand guard or hold the door for you.
This was the situation about two years ago. Hopefully, things have improved since then, but it’s a good idea to ask about the toilet condition before booking any camping package.
💬 Final Thoughts
Baththalangunduwa is not a luxury destination — it’s raw, natural, and simple. If you love camping, nature, and experiencing real island life, this trip is for you. 🌴
It may take a long ferry ride and some patience, but the reward is worth it: a unique island adventure in Sri Lanka that feels far away from the world.
