Sri LankaPhoto: Luboš Holič · CC BY-SA 3.0Sri Lanka · Asia
Best time to visit Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has two monsoon seasons affecting different coasts. For the south and west coast, about December to March is best; from May to September the southwest monsoon brings more rain there. Tropically warm year-round.
Climate decision
Best travel months for Sri Lanka
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Historical monthly averages, not a weather forecast. Individual days and years can differ substantially.
Latest 5-year values 2021–2025
Average of the five most recent complete years compared with the 1991–2025 climate average.
January · Wet days
21 days/month
1991–2025: 13.5 days/month
+7.5 days/month · higher
January · Monthly precipitation
204.1 mm/month
1991–2025: 94 mm/month
+110.1 mm/month · higher
March · Mean daily maximum
29.8 °C
1991–2025: 30.5 °C
-0.7 °C · lower
April · Sea temperature
30.1 °C
1991–2025: 29.7 °C
+0.4 °C · similar
April: 49/150 days at or above 30 °C; highest single value 32.7 °C.
Five-year historical sample, not a weather forecast or long-term climate trend. Individual hot days can be far above the monthly mean.
Annual profile · Rainfall rhythm
Sri Lanka: rainfall separates the travel months
The driest and wettest months are 15.7 rainy days apart. Average daily highs vary by 2.6 °C, so both signals matter when choosing a month.
What matters
A warmer month is not automatically the most reliable. Read the drier windows alongside sunshine, sea temperature and the activity you have in mind.
Fewest rainy days
February · 11
Most rainy days
October · 26.7
Most sunshine
March · 7.4 h
Warmest sea
April · 29.7 °C
Month by month
Overall suitability per month. Tap a month for details.
All climate figures compared
The table is the complete accessible data view; the charts below highlight selected patterns.
| Month | Avg high °C | Avg low °C | Rainy days (est.) | Rain mm | Sun h/day (est.) | Humidity % | Wind m/s | Sea °C | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29 | 23 | 14 | 94 | 6.2 | 78 | 2.6 | 28 | 68 |
| February | 30 | 24 | 11 | 76 | 7.1 | 76 | 2.1 | 28 | 70 |
| March | 31 | 25 | 17 | 113 | 7.4 | 76 | 1.9 | 29 | 58 |
| April | 30 | 26 | 25 | 207 | 6.9 | 82 | 2.5 | 30 | 52 |
| May | 29 | 26 | 26 | 229 | 6.0 | 85 | 4.1 | 29 | 54 |
| June | 28 | 26 | 25 | 146 | 6.0 | 86 | 4.7 | 28 | 58 |
| July | 28 | 25 | 21 | 110 | 6.0 | 86 | 4.6 | 28 | 61 |
| August | 28 | 25 | 21 | 122 | 6.2 | 86 | 4.5 | 28 | 62 |
| September | 28 | 25 | 23 | 169 | 6.2 | 85 | 4.3 | 28 | 60 |
| October | 28 | 25 | 27 | 282 | 5.9 | 85 | 3.5 | 28 | 58 |
| November | 28 | 25 | 26 | 311 | 5.6 | 84 | 2.8 | 29 | 57 |
| December | 29 | 24 | 21 | 174 | 5.7 | 82 | 2.8 | 28 | 59 |
Climate through the year
Compare temperature, rainy days, sunshine and, for coastal destinations, sea temperature month by month.
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Where to stay in Sri Lanka
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The number is the overall climate score, not a similarity score.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?
The strongest climate months are January, February, July, August. Values are historical averages, not a forecast.
Which month has the highest average daily maximum temperature in Sri Lanka?
The average daily maximum temperature in Sri Lanka is highest in March at around 31 °C.
When is the sea warmest at Sri Lanka?
In April, at around 30 °C.