Sri Lanka in November

Is November a good time to visit Sri Lanka? (Checked 12 October 2026)

East or south coast in November? Pick the south for a late-November trip. Both coasts average over 270 mm of rain in November, but in December the south dries (Galle 209.5 mm) while the east gets wetter (Batticaloa 409.0 mm), on the Department of Meteorology's 1991 to 2020 district averages below.

November at a glance

Figures are the Department of Meteorology's 1991 to 2020 district averages from the table below, checked 12 October 2026. They are not a forecast, and the "Our reading" column is our judgment from them alongside the department's 2 October 2026 outlook of above-normal rain.

Yes, if you can stay flexible, because November is wet across the whole island. It falls in the second inter-monsoon (October to November), which Sri Lanka Tourism describes as a time of occasional heavy showers anywhere on the island and sometimes rough seas (Sri Lanka Tourism weather page). For 2026 the signal is wetter than usual:

• Forecast: on 2 October 2026 the Department of Meteorology said there is "an increased likelihood of above-normal rainfall across most parts of the country, during November 2026" (rainfall forecast, October to December 2026).
• Why: El Niño is present, with a greater than 90% chance of a very strong El Niño from September to November through November to January (consensus seasonal outlook, 2 October 2026). The Department warns that heavier rain from October may bring floods and landslides (El Niño update, 3 July 2026).
• What it means for you: plan each day with a rain alternative, avoid fixing a long road transfer on the same day as a must-do activity, and check landslide warnings before hill-country drives.

November still has real advantages. The south coast whale-watching season starts, and the busiest months on the south-west coast come later. Travelling earlier? Our Sri Lanka in October guide covers the month before, and Sri Lanka in December covers the Christmas and New Year peak. This page has no affiliate links.

How much does it rain in Sri Lanka in November?

A lot, everywhere. The Department of Meteorology's 30-year averages (1991 to 2020), published with its 2 October 2026 forecast, show November rainfall above 240 mm in every district it lists:

Source: Department of Meteorology, Annex 1 of the October to December 2026 rainfall forecast. These are long-term averages for whole districts, not a forecast for your dates. The table shows the pattern that matters: in December the south-west districts get much drier, while the east stays wet or gets wetter.

What is Colombo weather like in November? (Checked 19 October 2026)

Wet and warm. Colombo gets a lot of rain in November:

Sources: Department of Meteorology, October to December 2026 rainfall forecast, Annex 1 and the WMO normals for the Colombo station.

For 2026, the same Department of Meteorology forecast, issued on 2 October 2026, says there is an "increased likelihood of above-normal rainfall across most parts of the country, during November 2026". So plan Colombo sightseeing for the mornings, keep indoor options for the afternoons, and allow extra time for airport runs in heavy rain. Rain eases in December, when the Colombo district average falls to about half the November figure.

Where should you go in Sri Lanka in November?

No region is reliably dry, so choose by what you want to do and keep the route reorderable.

• Cultural Triangle. Anuradhapura is one of the drier districts on the November averages (259.6 mm). Most heritage sites are outdoors, so keep a rain alternative; the Anuradhapura vs Polonnaruwa guide helps you pick one.
• South coast. Galle and Matara average 317 to 333 mm in November but fall to about 200 to 210 mm in December, so late November is a reasonable bet for a beach finish. See the south coast guide and the Hiriketiya bay page for the Dickwella strip, and the south coast itinerary for a 5, 7 or 10 day route.
• Hill country. Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Badulla all average over 325 mm, and the National Building Research Organisation issues landslide warnings when heavy rain is expected. Check the Disaster Management Centre's landslide warnings before driving. Trains still do not run from Kandy to Ella; our Kandy to Ella train guide has the dated status.
• East coast. Trincomalee and Batticaloa average 335 to 340 mm in November and stay wet into December, as the north-east monsoon (December to February) arrives. The east coast vs south coast guide compares the two by month.

Can you go whale watching in Sri Lanka in November?

Yes, from the south. The Sri Lanka Navy says its whale-watching cruises are scheduled to operate from Galle from November to April, and from Trincomalee from May to October (Sri Lanka Navy whale watching). On 17 October 2026 the Navy whale watching home page listed that seasonal calendar and did not mention a pause. Confirm sailings for your date on that site. Sightings are never guaranteed, and rough seas in an unusually wet November can cancel trips. Our whale watching guide compares Mirissa and Trincomalee month by month.

Checked 17 October 2026: the Navy listed southern cruises from Galle from November to April and Trincomalee cruises from May to October. For the season by port, see whale watching in Sri Lanka.

What holidays fall in Sri Lanka in November 2026?

The rest of this page was last fully checked on 12 October 2026. Only the holiday dates below, and the Diwali section that uses them, were re-checked on 16 October 2026. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka's 2026 list has two public and bank holidays in November (CBSL bank holidays 2026):

• Sunday 8 November 2026: Deepawali Festival Day
• Tuesday 24 November 2026: Ill Full Moon Poya Day

Both are public and bank holidays, so plan bank and government errands around them. The festival calendar guide explains how to check events and closures, and what to wear in Sri Lanka covers temple dress.

When is Diwali in Sri Lanka in 2026?

Diwali in Sri Lanka falls on Sunday 8 November 2026. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka lists it as "Deepawali Festival Day", a bank and public holiday, on its 2026 list (re-checked 16 October 2026, CBSL bank holidays 2026). In Sri Lanka you will see it written Deepawali or Deepavali more often than Diwali. It is the Hindu festival of lights, and the place to experience it respectfully is a working Hindu temple (kovil), as a guest at worship rather than at a show.

Where to go depends on your route:

• Jaffna: Nallur Kandaswamy Temple is an active Murugan temple in Jaffna. Its place page has dress rules and pooja times. If you are coming from India by sea, the India to Sri Lanka ferry guide has the dated service status.
• Trincomalee: Koneswaram Temple sits on Swami Rock above the harbour. Note that November is a wet month on the east coast (335 mm on the Trincomalee average above).
• Deep south: Kataragama is a pilgrimage precinct that matters to more than one tradition, so follow each shrine's own custodians.
• Choosing between them: the Hindu temple circuit guide explains why most trips should pick one region, and the Hinduism in Sri Lanka page gives the wider context.

We have not found an official 2026 Deepavali programme from any of these temples, so this page lists none. Ask the temple directly for times on the day, dress modestly, remove your shoes where asked, and ask before you photograph worship. Visiting from India for a short Diwali break? The 5 day itinerary for Indian visitors is built for that. The festival calendar has the other 2026 dates.

What changes for flights in November 2026? (Checked 21 October 2026)

New winter routes start just before November. Centrum Air says it flies Tashkent to Mattala, on the south coast, on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 28 October 2026, and Sunday Airlines says its SCAT-operated flights from Astana to Mattala run on Wednesdays and Sundays from the same date. Edelweiss's online timetable listed 13 Zurich to Colombo flights in November 2026. Mattala is about 29 km by road from Tissamaharama, the town nearest Yala's Palatupana side. Our direct flights guide has the sources and the entry rules.

If your dates can move earlier, Sri Lanka in September compares the east coast and Galle in the last month of the south-west monsoon. Planning a slower beach week later in the season? Our south coast yoga guide lists class prices from each studio's own site.

How should you plan a November trip?

• Build in spare days. We suggest one for every four or five days of travel, so a washed-out day does not break the route.
• Put indoor or sheltered sights (temples, museums, the Dambulla cave temple) on the days with the worst forecast.
• Check the Department of Meteorology's forecasts and the DMC warnings the day before every long transfer.
• Use the best time to visit guide or Sri Lanka in December if your dates can still move to December or later.

For a beach-by-beach view of November and December rain, see our best beaches in November and December guide.