Club ManGo – Eco Chic Resort: Watersports, adventure blends luxury
View(s):By Sanath Weerasuriya
Kandakuliya, located on the Kalpitiya Peninsula near the southern edge of Dutch Bay, is renowned as one of Sri Lanka’s premier kite-surfing destinations. It forms the breathtaking Dutch Bay Lagoon—an ideal playground for kite-surfing, windsurfing, kayaking, and surfing. Beyond its appeal to water sports enthusiasts, Kandakuliya is also a thriving hub for local fisher folk, offering a wealth of prized lagoon crabs, prawns and lobsters.
Nestled in the fishing village of Kandakuliya, along the serene and picturesque lagoon on Sri Lanka’s west coast, ‘Club ManGo Eco Chic Resort’ is a haven for travellers exploring the Kalpitiya Peninsula. Renowned for its world-class kite-surfing facilities, the resort attracts enthusiasts from around the globe. With the official kite-surfing training school located on-site, Club ManGo provides the perfect setting for both beginners and seasoned riders to experience the thrill of the sport.
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- Executive Chef Srimal Fernando
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- Chairman Kamal Dharmaratne
‘The popular winter kite-surfing season is now in full swing and runs until mid-April, while the summer season begins from May to October. At ‘Club ManGo’, we are fully equipped with all the necessary facilities for both surfers and trainers’ said J. Bandara Karunathilake, Resident Manager of Club ManGo.
Nestled among swaying palms and majestic wild kumbuk trees by the lagoon, Club ManGo Eco Chic Resort spans eight and a half acres of serene natural beauty. The resort offers 13 thoughtfully designed accommodations, including nine rustic yet elegantly furnished wooden cabanas with open-top washrooms and four superior rooms that provide enhanced comfort and style. Each chalets consist of two deluxe incorporates A/C bedrooms, spacious living areas, satellite TV, large open front terrace and with all modern amenities.
Opened in 2023 with just five chalet-style beach bungalows, Club ManGo Eco Chic Resort is the newest addition to Kalpitiya’s adventure water sports scene. Beyond being a hub for thrill-seekers, it has quickly become a popular holiday destination for adventure lovers.
‘At Club ManGo Eco Chic Resort, we are committed to crafting an experience that seamlessly blends luxury with sustainability. Our vision is to provide a serene escape where guests can reconnect with nature while enjoying modern comforts—all with minimal environmental impact. Eco-Chic and Sustainability isn’t just a trend for us; it’s at the core of everything we do’ explained Bandara about the Club ManGo project.
Club ManGo Resort quickly gained popularity for its exceptional seafood cuisine, sourced fresh from the day’s catch. Situated near one of the island’s richest seas and lagoons, the resort boasts an abundance of seafood delicacies. Offering both local and international cuisine, the kitchen caters to a diverse range of palates, ensuring a delightful dining experience for every guest.
‘We believe luxury can be responsible. Our ‘catch-to-table’ dining concept ensures that fresh, organic ingredients are sourced directly from local fishermen and farmers’ said Bandara. ‘Fresh seafood—from the day’s catch to lagoon crabs, prawns, lobsters, and a variety of fish—is expertly prepared using traditional Sri Lankan methods, making it a favourite among both local and international guests. Our Executive Chef, Srimal Fernando, brings years of hands-on experience in seafood and Sri Lankan cuisine, delivering an authentic and flavorful dining experience’ he added.
The restaurant comfortably accommodates up to 25 guests, including seating on the upper deck. However, the most popular dining spot is the lagoon-front Open Deck, which offers a scenic, open-air experience for up to 20 guests beneath the shade of trees and a canopy of stars.
In addition to kite-surfing, jet skiing, kayaking, canoeing, sand dune adventures, and diving and snorkeling at Bar Reef, Club ManGo now boasts a state-of-the-art fitness center—its latest addition for guests seeking an active and well-rounded getaway. Dutch Bay lagoon is also a great location to enjoy boat rides and witness dolphins. Whale watching off the coast of Kalpitiya is a popular excursion.
‘With our well-maintained boats, kayaks, and kite-surfing equipment, we can arrange boat rides and excursions on request’ said Bandara. ‘Popular among domestic travellers are boat safaris to the Church of Our Lady of Good Health Velankanni in Uchchamunai, Uchchamunai Tip, Gange Wadiya and the surrounding wilderness. We also organise jeep safaris to Wilpattu National Park, where guests can marvel at the giant baobab tree off the waters of Kala Oya. For a more scenic route, guests can enjoy a boat ride to the park, crossing the tranquil lagoon’ he added.
| ‘We are thrilled with the journey we have undertaken over the past two years with Club ManGo Resort, our first resort under JK Leisure. At Club ManGo, we offer more than just a stay—we curate an experience of nature, intimacy, and conscious luxury. Every detail is designed for those who seek serenity with a sustainable touch. Here, the world slows down, and every moment feels personal. It’s a place where eco-chic meets exclusivity’ said Kamal Dharmaratne, the Chairman of JK Tradelink, the owning company of ‘Club Man-Go Resort’, Kalpitiya and ‘The Joint-Pub & Grill’ in Colombo Fort’. | |
Pix by Anusha De Silva
For more details, call log onto www.clubmangoresort.com
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