Best beaches in Sri Lanka in November and December
Which Sri Lankan coast is driest in November and December, with rain and rain-day averages for nine coastal weather stations, calmer and family-friendly picks, and the beaches to skip until later. Checked 22 October 2026.
Which beaches are best in November and December?
Quick answer: Go to the south or west coast. November is wet almost everywhere, but by December the south and west get about a third to half of the rain the east coast gets. The driest spot in our table is the Tangalle and Hambantota side. Leave Arugam Bay, Pasikudah and Trincomalee for later in the year.
For the full month-by-month picture, see Sri Lanka in November and Sri Lanka in December. For every beach on the island, see our beaches and coastal travel page.
How wet is each coast in November and December?
WMO 1991 to 2020 normals. A "rain day" has at least 1 mm of rain.
| Station (nearest beaches) | Coast | Nov rain (mm) | Nov rain days | Dec rain (mm) | Dec rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hambantota (Tangalle) | South | 221.8 | 13.0 | 132.1 | 9.4 |
| Katunayaka (Negombo) | West | 304.6 | 16.0 | 130.8 | 8.5 |
| Puttalam (Kalpitiya) | North-west | 254.6 | 15.3 | 143.7 | 10.8 |
| Colombo (Mount Lavinia) | West | 345.8 | 16.0 | 170.7 | 9.0 |
| Ratmalana (Kalutara) | West | 364.5 | 17.0 | 173.8 | 10.4 |
| Galle (Unawatuna, Weligama, Mirissa) | South-west | 282.6 | 14.9 | 175.9 | 11.2 |
| Pottuvil (Arugam Bay) | East | 307.6 | 14.6 | 306.5 | 13.3 |
| Trincomalee (Nilaveli) | East | 375.6 | 17.9 | 339.0 | 15.0 |
| Batticaloa (Pasikudah) | East | 418.6 | 17.2 | 468.8 | 16.8 |
Three things stand out:
- November is wet everywhere. No station averages under 220 mm.
- December splits the island. The west and south fall to 131 to 176 mm, while the east stays above 300 mm.
- The far south is the driest beach area in both months.
Which beach should you pick? A decision matrix
| You want | November pick | December pick | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| The best odds of dry days | Tangalle | Tangalle or Negombo | Lowest rain in our table |
| Whale watching | Mirissa | Mirissa | Southern season starts in November |
| A first surf lesson | Weligama | Weligama | Beginner waves, per the tourist bureau |
| Swimming and snorkelling | Wait for December | Unawatuna | Sea is calmer once rain eases |
| A short stay near the airport | Negombo | Negombo | About 15 minutes from the airport |
| Kitesurfing | Check the Kalpitiya kite seasons first | Same | Wind, not rain, sets the season there |
| Arugam Bay or Pasikudah | Not yet | Not yet | Wettest time of year on the east coast |
What are good calm beaches for families?
Calm sea matters more than rain for young children. In December, as the rain eases on the south-west coast, these are worth a look. Always check the sea on the day, swim between flags where there are lifeguards, and keep out when the water is rough.
| Beach | Why it can suit families | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Weligama Bay | The bureau calls the bay calm and "perfect for swimming and surfing" | Southern Province tourist bureau |
| Unawatuna | A crescent bay with clear water for swimming and snorkelling | Southern Province tourist bureau |
| Kosgoda and Induruwa | Quiet beaches and a turtle conservation project | See our Kosgoda page |
| Negombo | Short transfer from the airport for tired children | See our Negombo page |
The same bureau warns of strong currents in the monsoon season from May to October, and asks swimmers to use designated safe areas. For more on children, see Sri Lanka with kids.
Which beaches should you skip in November and December?
The east coast: Arugam Bay, Pasikudah, Nilaveli and Trincomalee. Batticaloa's December average of 468.8 mm is the highest in our table. These beaches come into their own later in the year. Our east coast vs south coast guide shows the swap month by month, and our Arugam Bay page covers its surf season.
How warm is it?
| Station | Dec average high (°C) | Dec average low (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| Katunayaka (Negombo) | 31.1 | 22.9 |
| Colombo | 30.9 | 23.5 |
| Hambantota (Tangalle) | 30.4 | 23.7 |
| Galle | 29.9 | 23.7 |
| Batticaloa | 28.6 | 23.9 |
In Fahrenheit, a 30 °C high is 86 °F and a 23 °C low is about 73 °F.
How should you plan around the rain?
The averages show the odds, not what will happen in any one week. Three simple rules help:
- Book the coast for the second half of your trip if you are travelling in late November or early December. Galle drops from 282.6 mm in November to 175.9 mm in December on the WMO normals.
- Keep one flexible day for a boat trip, so you can move it if the sea is rough.
- Check the official forecast in the week you travel. The Department of Meteorology publishes daily forecasts, and the Disaster Management Centre lists warnings.
Can you see whales in November and December?
Yes. The Sri Lanka Navy runs its southern whale cruise from Galle Harbour in the November to April season. On 22 October 2026 its page listed USD 80 for a foreign adult (USD 60 plus USD 20 tax) and USD 40 for a child aged 6 to 12. Many private whale-watching boats leave from Mirissa harbour. See our whale watching page.
Frequently asked questions
Which side of Sri Lanka is best in December?
The south and west coasts. On the WMO 1991 to 2020 normals, December rain is 131 to 176 mm at the west and south coast stations, against 306 to 469 mm on the east coast. The east coast's dry season comes later, from about April.
Is November a good month for a beach holiday in Sri Lanka?
It is a wet month almost everywhere. Every coastal station in our table averages more than 220 mm of rain in November. The Tangalle and Hambantota side is the least wet, at 221.8 mm. December is noticeably drier on the south and west coasts.
Which beach is driest in November and December?
Of the nine coastal stations we compared, Hambantota, nearest to Tangalle, is driest in both months: 221.8 mm in November and 132.1 mm in December. Katunayaka, near Negombo, is close behind in December at 130.8 mm.
Can you swim on the east coast in December?
It is not a good time. December is the wettest month at Batticaloa (468.8 mm) and very wet at Trincomalee (339.0 mm) and Pottuvil near Arugam Bay (306.5 mm). Plan east coast beaches for later in the year.
What are calm beaches for kids in December?
Look for sheltered bays on the south and west coasts once the sea settles in December. The Southern Province tourist bureau describes Weligama Bay as calm and good for swimming, and Unawatuna as a bay with clear water for swimming and snorkelling. Always check the sea on the day and swim where lifeguards or locals are.
Is it whale season in November and December?
Yes, on the south coast. The Sri Lanka Navy's southern whale cruise season runs November to April, from Galle Harbour, at USD 80 for a foreign adult including USD 20 tax.
Is Arugam Bay good in December?
No, it is off season. Pottuvil, the nearest weather station, averages 306.5 mm of rain in December, and the surf season there runs in the middle of the year. See our Arugam Bay page for its season.
How hot is the sea coast in December?
Warm. Average highs at the coastal stations in December are 28.6 to 31.4 °C, and average lows 22.5 to 23.9 °C (WMO 1991 to 2020 normals).
Sources
Last verified 2026-10-22
Covered in this guide
Sri Lanka in November
Sri Lanka in December
Beaches & Coastal Travel
Weligama vs Mirissa vs Tangalle
Sri Lanka East Coast or South Coast?
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Choose between Sri Lanka's east and south coasts by comparing travel dates, route fit and the exact activities that depend on current sea conditions.
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