Climatically, Rekawa lies within the intermediate zone, of Sri Lanka’s climatic map, while Kalametiya and Ussangoda areas lie within the dry zone. The two monsoon seasons influence the weather and rainfall pattern in the area, but with only intermittent rainfall for less than a month each year. Average temperatures in Rekawa range between 26.6 and 27.2 degrees Celsius. The annual rainfall in the Kalametiya and Ussangoda areas, located within the dry zone, is somewhat lower and is within the range of 1000 - 1250mm. The mean air temperature is 27 degrees Celsius.
RUK area contains many ecologically important terrestrial and wetland habitats. Spring tides and neap tides have been measured at 58cm and 40cm respectively. The predominantly sandy beaches lie in a "west southwest & east north-easterly" direction. Beaches in most areas are steep, rising 4-7m from the mean waterline, and are exposed to strong wave action. The sandy beaches are interspersed by several rocky headlands supporting coral and sandstone reefs and, lagoons and estuaries. There is also significant formation of sand dunes in the area as well as towards the eastern side outside the RUK area.
The most prominent coastal wetlands in the area includes the Rekawa lagoon (256 hectares (ha)), Kahanda lagoon (51 ha), Kunukalliya lagoon (59 ha), the interconnected Kalametiya (606 ha) and Lunama lagoon (192 ha) system, Godawaya lagoon (28 ha) and the Walawe estuary (56 ha). Mangrove vegetation in the RUK area is mostly associated with the lagoon systems. The estimated total mangrove cover in the area is 556.6 ha, equivalent to 7.2% of the RUK area. Mangrove mixed vegetation constitute 81.5 ha, equivalent to 1.1% of the RUK area. Altogether, a total of 45 species of mangrove and associated flora including weeds have been identified from the RUK area.
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