The two monsoons: when to go where in Sri Lanka

About The two monsoons: when to go where in Sri Lanka

By the ULTIMATE Sri Lanka Editorial Team

The south-west monsoon brings rain to the west coast, the south and the hills from about May to September; the north-east monsoon brings rain to the north and east from about December to February. The months in between bring showers island-wide.

The south-west monsoon (about May to September)

The Yala monsoon blows in from the Indian Ocean and brings the heaviest rain to the west and south-west coasts, Colombo, Galle and the western slopes of the hills. Seas on the west and south coasts are rough, and many beach businesses slow down. This is the dry, sunny season on the east coast: Trincomalee, Pasikudah and Arugam Bay.

The north-east monsoon (about December to February)

The Maha monsoon brings rain to the north and east and to the eastern hills. This is the high season on the west and south coasts, from Negombo and Bentota to Galle, Mirissa and Tangalle, when the sea is calm and the skies are clear.

The trick is simple: follow the sun around the island. West and south in winter, east in summer.

The inter-monsoon months

March–April and October–November are transition months. October and November in particular can bring heavy afternoon thunderstorms almost anywhere. March and April are hot, often the hottest months, and are good for the hills and the Cultural Triangle.

The hills

Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Hatton and Ella are cooler all year, and Nuwara Eliya can be chilly at night. Mist and rain are possible in any month, so plan train journeys and viewpoints for the morning, when skies are clearest.

Whales and wildlife

Whale watching off Mirissa is best from about December to April; off Trincomalee, from about March or April to August. The elephant “gathering” at Minneriya and Kaudulla peaks in the dry months, roughly from July to October. Yala often closes for a period in the dry season, usually in September and October: check with the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

A month-by-month guide

December to March: the west and south coasts, the hills and the Cultural Triangle. April: everywhere, but book early around Sinhala and Tamil New Year. May to September: the east coast, the Cultural Triangle and the safari parks; the hills can be wet. October and November: expect showers island-wide, with fewer visitors.

Our advice: the weather in Sri Lanka changes quickly and the seasons are not exact. Plan by coast, keep a day or two flexible, and remember that a rainy morning on the south coast is often followed by a sunny afternoon.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with The two monsoons: when to go where in Sri Lanka before you go.