The beach at Kalutara stretches for several kilometres along the coast south of the Kalu Ganga, fringed by tall coconut palms that give the town much of its character. The sand is golden and the swimming is good in the calmer months, though the Indian Ocean swell can build significantly during the southwest monsoon season (May to October), when swimming becomes inadvisable.
Kalutara's beach is better known among Sri Lankans than international tourists, which keeps it relatively uncrowded compared to the beaches further south at Bentota and Hikkaduwa. The palm-lined shore is particularly photogenic in the late afternoon light, when the coconut palms cast long shadows across the sand.
The town is known for its mangosteens, which are sold at roadside stalls throughout the season (May to July). The fruit grown near Kalutara is considered by many Sri Lankans to be the finest in the country, with a balance of sweetness and acidity that the southern varieties lack.