Sri Lanka weather guide: understanding the seasons

Okay, so you've decided you want to visit Sri Lanka? Exciting! The island truly has everything you could imagine. Mountains, beaches, wild life, rice fields, tea plantations, jungle, surf and so much more. So now the question arises; when do you go? The weather in Sri Lanka changes based on the seasons. Two monsoons shape the island, which basically means one coast can be sunny and glowing while the other gets a quick tropical rinse. It sounds confusing at first, but once you get the hang of it, it actually works in your favour. Pick the right coast at the right time and suddenly you’re in what feels like endless summer, with never ending sunny days. Or stay on one coast and experience the beauty of the different seasons. Whichever coast and season you pick, warm water, lush landscapes, and sunny, tropical days are guaranteed anyways. <3

So here’s our easy breakdown of Sri Lanka’s seasons, with the surf towns, spots, and national parks that really shine at different times of the year, so you can pick the coastline that fits your dream Sri Lanka trip best.

Sunny season (Nov-April on the South coast) (May-Sept on the East Coast)

The weather is hot, bright, and consistent, which makes traveling feel easy and relaxed. Days are sunny, the ocean is providing perfect, consistent waves. Whether you're a beginner or more advanced surfer girl, the waves are perfect. The oceans are calm, so there are lots of (baby) turtles to spot. The surf towns are full of fun, full restaurants, fun parties, lots of people watching sunset and dancing their hearts out. With that energy comes movement, streets are lively and traffic is heavier, so if you’re riding your own scooter, it’s a season to drive a little more carefully. ;)

Wildlife is a big highlight during these months too. Yala National Park really thrives, since drier conditions make leopard sightings more likely.

Sunny season is when the coasts feel most social and alive! We love spending time in Weligama, Ahangama, Hiriketiya, Mirissa, and Galle Fort on the South coast, and love chilling in Arugam bay on the East Coast.

Shoulder season on both coasts (October & May)

The sweet in-between months that we love. The crowds haven’t arrived yet, or are just starting to slowly leave town. Days are warm and sunny with the occasional tropical shower that keeps everything fresh and green. The ocean is fun, sometimes a little moodier, but still offering beautiful waves. Cafés and surf towns are open, relaxed, unrushed. It feels like the coasts are exhaling, there is more space, more calm, and more time to soak it all in, it's one of our favorite moments to visit.

Green season (June-Sept on the South coast) (Nov-March on the East Coast)

This is when the coasts turn lush. Everything is green, alive, and breathing. The hills and jungle areas are stunning, making this a beautiful time for hikes and nature days. Yala National Park is emptier, meaning your safari ride feels so much more authentic, it's just you and the wildlife.

What really sets green season apart, though, is the authenticity. With fewer visitors around, Sri Lanka feels more local, everything moves at a slower pace. Café owners have time to chat, shopkeepers feel unhurried and guides aren’t rushing. It’s the kind of season where you end up staying longer in a café, joining a cooking class with locals, or lingering over meals that turn into conversations.  Some restaurants close for the season, others stay open, with beach views that feel like they’re just for you. The locals are extra warm, genuinely happy to see you, curious about where you’re from, and grateful that you’re there during a quieter season.  

You’ll explore empty beaches that feel almost unreal, running barefoot as the sun sets with no one else around. Some days it genuinely feels like you’ve got the beach, and the sunset, all to yourself. It's the season of insane sunsets, followed by dramatic tropical rainfalls that often clear as quickly as they arrive. But honestly, aren’t the best sunsets always the ones that come after a little rain?

The line-ups on the South coasts are a lot emptier, not all spots work, but a few fun ones do. Surf during this time is a little more changeable, but that’s part of the charm. Smaller waves and fewer people in the lineup make it perfect for relaxed sessions, waves are less consistent, meaning you'll learn a lot. Inconsistent waves make great teachers. On the East coast there is little to no surfing, so more time for chilling.

Last year, we spent one full month on the South coast during the rainy, green season. We had 21 days with no rain at all, 2 days of heavy tropical rain all day, and 5 days with short showers in between sunny hours. We surfed 20 out of 30 days, not all conditioners were perfect, but we had fun and improved lots.

The green season doesn’t promise perfect blue skies every single day, but it offers something else instead: a slower, more grounded, and deeply authentic version of Sri Lanka. The green season feels raw, magical, and deeply intimate. A different kind of alive.

Sri Lanka really is one of those places where every season has something special to offer. Some months feel slow and sun-soaked, others are lush and green after the rain, and some give you perfect surf days you’ll remember forever. There isn’t a “wrong”

month to visit, just different moods, different coastlines, and different kinds of beauty.

So whenever you’re ready to turn that dream Sri Lanka trip into something real, we’ve got you. <3

(Applications for our Sri lanka girls' trip are open <3)