Trotting About in Kalutara - A Guide to All the Wonderful Things You Can Explore Here

It's no doubt that the beach of Kalutara is its crowning glory. The golden, glistening sands of Kalutara Beach stretches for miles lined with roadside stalls selling traditional Sri Lankan arts and crafts such as reed mats, jewelry made out of shells, basketware and coir rugs to name a few. The Kalutara Beach also allows you to try out a few water sports like jet skiing, banana boat riding as well as fishing. These are offered at luxury hotels adorning the beach like the Anantara Kalutara Resort or the PADI- certified diving centres.

The great Kalu Ganga or the Black River as it is translated in Sinhalese, has its humble beginnings in the sacred mountain of Sri Pada and falls into the sea at Kalutara. The city gets it's name from the river as Kalutara is derived from the Sinhalese word of Kalutota meaning "'by the banks of the Kalu ganga'. The serene Kalu Ganga flows past scenic plantations and picteresque forests making it the ideal destination for a boat safari.

One of the many dreams of childhood is to explore an age-old castle and imagine all sorts of adventures in it. In Kalutara, you can make this dream a reality by embarking on a journey to visit the Richmond Castle. This magnificent castle was built in the year 1896, by a wealthy Sri Lankan Mudaliar and acclaimed philanthropist, Don Arthur de Silva. This great residence of his complete with elaborate carvings and statues, Italian and Scotch glass mirrors and windows, a grand ballroom, stables, staff quarters and a lush garden; all part of a 42 acre estate. The castle is built according to Indian and British architecture of which the Mudaliar was fond of.

Sri Lanka is a predominantly Buddhist country and you can find many Buddhist sites spread across the island that are the centre of much devotion. The Kalutara Bodhiya is one of these. Located at the very entrance of Kalutara, past the bridge, the Kalutara Bodhiya is one of the 32 saplings of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura which is believed to be deriving from the Bodhi tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment. The Kalutara Temple is regarded in such a sacred manner, that Buddhist travellers consider it a must to make an offering to the Kalutara Bodhiya temple, while passing it.

If you adore nature, a visit to the the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery is well worth your time as here you can get the chance to meet one of its most adorable and precious of creatures. The hatchery is located about 30-40 minutes away from Kalutara and you can travel here in a bus or even a tuk tuk.

The types of turtles found here include the Olive Ridley turtles, loggerheads, hawksbills, green turtles and the gigantic leatherback turtles. These amazing creatures are unfortunately in threat of being poached for their meat and eggs. So, conservation organizations like the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery have been founded to rescue, rehabilitate and release these innocent beasts safely, to their home in the big blue ocea. A visit to the hatchery will give the opportunity to learn about the conservation process, meet all the different kinds of turtles including the baby turtles! Time your visit to coincide with the sunset as then you will be able to witness baby turtles being released into the sea!