🐋 Whale watching, Mirissa
Off season
Blue whale season runs December to April. Book ahead for January and February.
PEAK: DEC · JAN · FEB · MAR · APR
🏄 Surf, Arugam Bay
Peak season now
Southeast swell firing consistently. Best right-hander in Asia is at its peak right now.
PEAK: MAY · JUN · JUL · AUG · SEP
🐆 Safari, Yala National Park
Excellent conditions
Dry season means animals gather at waterholes. Best leopard sightings of the year.
PEAK: MAY · JUN · JUL · AUG · SEP
🌧️ SW Monsoon, West coast
Active now
Southwest monsoon affects Colombo and west coast. East coast and hill country unaffected.
ACTIVE: MAY · JUN · JUL · AUG · SEP
🌿 Hill country, Ella + Nuwara Eliya
Good season
Hill country is beautiful year-round. June brings lush green tea fields after early rains.
GOOD: ALL YEAR · PEAK: DEC–MAR
🏖️ East coast beaches, Trinco + Pasikuda
Best time of year
East coast is at its absolute best right now. Crystal clear water, no waves, perfect for snorkelling.
PEAK: APR · MAY · JUN · JUL · AUG
🤿 Diving, Pigeon Island, Trincomalee
Peak visibility now
Calm, glass-clear seas on the east coast mean reef sharks, turtles and coral gardens are at their best.
PEAK: MAY · JUN · JUL · AUG · SEP
🐘 The Gathering, Minneriya
Building now
Hundreds of wild elephants converge on the receding reservoir, the largest gathering of Asian elephants on earth.
PEAK: JUL · AUG · SEP · OCT
🏛️ Cultural Triangle, Sigiriya + Anuradhapura
Good season
The dry zone stays clear through the southwest monsoon, ideal for ancient cities and the rock fortress climb.
GOOD: MAY · JUN · JUL · AUG · SEP
🐢 Turtle nesting, Rekawa
In season
Green and olive ridley turtles come ashore to nest after dark on the protected beach at Rekawa.
PEAK: APR · MAY · JUN · JUL
🐦 Bird watching, Bundala + Kumana
Off season
Migratory flocks, flamingos, waders and painted storks, arrive with the northern winter. Plan for the cooler months.
PEAK: NOV · DEC · JAN · FEB · MAR
