Ask "when is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?" and the honest answer is: any time, as long as you pick the right coast. Here's how the island's two monsoons shape your trip.
December to April: the south, west and hills
From December to April the south and west coasts are at their sunniest. This is the classic season for Galle, Mirissa and Bentota, for whale watching off Mirissa and for clear mornings in tea country. The north-east monsoon brings rain to the east and north, roughly from November to February.
May to September: the east coast shines
When the south-west monsoon reaches the west and south in May, switch coasts. Trincomalee, Nilaveli, Pasikuda and Arugam Bay enjoy calm seas and sunshine, Arugam Bay's surf season is in full swing and the Cultural Triangle stays largely dry.
October and November: the in-between months
The inter-monsoon brings afternoon showers to much of the island, but also greener landscapes, quieter sites and good-value hotels.
Wildlife calendar
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Leopards in Yala | February to July |
| Elephant Gathering at Minneriya | July to October |
| Blue whales off Mirissa | November to April |
| Adam's Peak pilgrimage season | December to May |
Not sure which season suits your plans? Tell us your dates and we'll match you with the sunniest route. Shall we?