Plan · When to go
When to go to Sri Lanka: the two monsoons, month by month
Sri Lanka has two monsoons that arrive at opposite ends of the year, so somewhere on the island is almost always in season. Here is where to go, month by month.
Updated October 2026
The four seasons
Sri Lanka’s Department of Meteorology divides the year into four seasons: the north-east monsoon from December to February, the first inter-monsoon in March and April, the south-west monsoon from May to September, and the second inter-monsoon in October and November.
The south-west monsoon brings most of its rain to the west and south coasts and the western hills, while the east stays dry and sunny. The north-east monsoon brings rain to the north and east, while the west and south coasts have their best weather. In the inter-monsoon months afternoon thunderstorms can break out almost anywhere, and October and November are usually the wettest time of year across the island.
The seasons are not exact: they arrive early or late, and a wet morning is often followed by a dry afternoon. Plan by coast, and keep a day or two flexible.
The two monsoons in depth What to pack
January
Peak season on the west and south coasts: calm seas, sunshine and the busiest beaches, so book hotels early. It is a good month for Galle, Bentota and Mirissa, for whale watching off Mirissa, and for the hills, where nights are cool. Rain is still likely in the north and east. Thai Pongal, the Tamil harvest festival, falls in mid-January, and the Duruthu Perahera procession at Kelaniya takes place around the January full moon.
Galle Bentota Mirissa & Weligama Kandy Nuwara Eliya Ella
February
One of the driest months on the west and south coasts and in the Cultural Triangle, and a fine time to climb Sigiriya or Adam’s Peak, whose pilgrim season runs from about December to May. Independence Day, on 4 February, brings parades in Colombo. The east coast starts to dry out towards the end of the month.
Galle Bentota Mirissa & Weligama Sigiriya & Dambulla
March
The first inter-monsoon begins: hot, humid days and the occasional afternoon storm. The west and south coasts are still good, the Cultural Triangle is dry, and whale watching off Trincomalee usually starts around March or April. A good-value month before the April holidays.
Galle Bentota Mirissa & Weligama Sigiriya & Dambulla Trincomalee
April
Often the hottest month. Much of the island is pleasant, but Sri Lankans travel for Sinhala and Tamil New Year in mid-April, so book trains and hill-country hotels well ahead; Nuwara Eliya is especially busy. The Mirissa whale season ends around April, and the east coast season gets under way.
Kandy Nuwara Eliya Ella Mirissa & Weligama
May
The south-west monsoon arrives, usually in the second half of the month, bringing rain and rough seas to the west and south coasts. Head east instead: Trincomalee, Pasikudah and Arugam Bay are at their best, and the Arugam Bay surf season begins. Vesak, around the May full moon, fills towns with lanterns and roadside food stalls (dansal).
June
The east coast is dry and sunny and the Cultural Triangle is a good choice; the west and south coasts are wet and windy, with fewer visitors and lower hotel rates. Poson, around the June full moon, draws pilgrims to Mihintale near Anuradhapura.
Trincomalee Arugam Bay Sigiriya & Dambulla
July
High season on the east coast, for beaches, diving off Pigeon Island and surfing at Arugam Bay. In the dry zone the elephants start to gather at Minneriya and Kaudulla, roughly from July to October. Kandy’s Esala Perahera usually falls in July or August, and Jaffna’s Nallur festival usually runs from July into August; dates follow the lunar calendar, so check the official announcements.
Trincomalee Arugam Bay Kandy Jaffna Safaris
August
The east coast and the north are at their best, and August is a busy month for Sri Lankan and European holidaymakers, so book east-coast hotels early. The Esala Perahera season in Kandy often runs into August, when Kandy’s hotels fill up and prices rise. Whale watching off Trincomalee usually winds down around August.
Trincomalee Arugam Bay Kandy Jaffna
September
The south-west monsoon eases and the east coast stays dry. It is a quiet, good-value month. Yala often closes for part of the dry season, usually in September and October, so check with the Department of Wildlife Conservation before you plan a safari; Wilpattu, Udawalawe and Minneriya are alternatives.
Trincomalee Arugam Bay Safaris
October
The second inter-monsoon brings heavy afternoon showers almost anywhere, and the quietest month for visitors. Mornings are often clear, prices are low and the countryside is green. The Arugam Bay surf season ends around October; the south coast’s surf season begins as the weather settles.
Kandy Nuwara Eliya Ella Colombo
November
Still showery across the island, with the north-east monsoon setting in over the north and east. The west and south coasts improve towards the end of the month, and the high season begins. Deepavali, the festival of lights, falls in October or November.
Galle Bentota Mirissa & Weligama Colombo
December
The west and south coasts are back in season, and whale watching off Mirissa begins. The Adam’s Peak pilgrimage season opens at the December full moon (Unduvap Poya). Christmas and New Year are the busiest weeks of the year on the south coast: book hotels months ahead.
Galle Bentota Mirissa & Weligama Christmas in Sri Lanka Nuwara Eliya & Hatton
Full moon (Poya) days and festivals in 2027
Every full moon is a Poya day, a public holiday when shops selling alcohol and meat close, and many Sri Lankans visit temples. The 2027 public and bank holidays were published in Gazette No. 2493/05. The Kandy Esala Perahera and the Nallur festival are set by the temples, which usually announce the dates a few months ahead.
- Duruthu Poya: 22 January
- Thai Pongal: 15 January
- Independence Day: 4 February
- Navam Poya: 20 February
- Madin Poya: 22 March
- Bak Poya: 20 April
- Sinhala and Tamil New Year: 14 April (13 April is also a bank holiday)
- Vesak Poya: 19 May (20 May is also a holiday)
- Poson Poya: 18 June
- Esala Poya: 18 July
- Nikini Poya: 16 August
- Binara Poya: 15 September
- Vap Poya: 15 October
- Deepavali: 28 October
- Il Poya: 13 November
- Unduvap Poya: 13 December
- Christmas Day: 25 December
The Temple of the Tooth Jaffna and Nallur
The best months, town by town
- Negombo, Colombo, Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Galle, Mirissa, Weligama and Tangalle: about December to April.
- Trincomalee, Nilaveli, Pasikudah and Arugam Bay: about May to September.
- Jaffna and the north: about February to September.
- Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ella: all year, driest from about January to April.
- Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura: all year, with most rain from about October to January.
- Yala and Udawalawe: all year, but Yala often closes for part of September and October.
Negombo Galle Trincomalee Jaffna Kandy Safaris
Questions and answers
What is the best month to visit Sri Lanka?
For the west and south coasts, January to March is the most reliable. For the east coast, June to August. The hills and the ancient cities can be visited all year.
When is the monsoon in Sri Lanka?
The south-west monsoon runs from about May to September and mainly affects the west and south coasts and the hills; the north-east monsoon runs from about December to February and mainly affects the north and east.
Is it worth visiting Sri Lanka in October or November?
Yes, if you are flexible: expect afternoon showers almost anywhere, but also clear mornings, green countryside, fewer visitors and lower prices.
When is whale-watching season?
Off Mirissa, about December to April; off Trincomalee, about March or April to August.
Seasons are a guide, not a guarantee. Festival dates follow the lunar calendar and are announced each year; check official sources before you travel.