The short answer
- Month
- February
- Verdict
- Excellent
- South and west coasts
- Dry and sunny
- East coast
- Drying out, some showers
- Cultural Triangle
- Dry and warm
- Hill country
- Dry, cool nights
February is dry almost everywhere. The south west coast is at its best, the hills are clear and the Cultural Triangle is green after the rains. Even the east coast is starting to dry out.
Where it is dry in February
Sri Lanka has two monsoons, so one coast is usually dry. The map opens on February; tap another month to compare.
Choose your month
February
One of the best months: dry almost everywhere.
- North (Jaffna) (best)
- Cultural Triangle (best)Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa
- West coast (best)Colombo, Negombo, Bentota
- Hill country (best)Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella
- South coast (best)Galle, Unawatuna, Mirissa
- Yala (best)south east safari parks
- East coast (mixed)Trincomalee, Pasikudah, Arugam Bay
February across the year
How February compares with the rest of the year in each region. The ringed column is February.
Swipe sideways to see all 12 months →
| Region | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South and west coastsGalle, Mirissa, Bentota | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Best |
| East coastTrincomalee, Arugam Bay | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Mixed | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult |
| Cultural TriangleSigiriya, Polonnaruwa | Mixed | Best | Best | Mixed | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult |
| Hill countryKandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Mixed |
| NorthJaffna | Mixed | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult |
| Yalamain blocks | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Best |
Where to go in February
- Everywhere in the classic loop: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella, Yala and the south coast all have good weather.
- Whale watching: Mirissa trips have calm seas.
- Yala: Good leopard sightings as the park dries.
What to avoid in February
- Leaving accommodation until the last minute: it is still high season.
Festivals and events in February
- Navam Perahera (February full moon): Colombo's Gangaramaya temple holds a procession of elephants, dancers and drummers.
- Independence Day (4 February): Parades in Colombo.
Weather in February
Average highs, lows and rainfall, with February highlighted.
Average daily high / low and monthly rainfall
| Month | Colombowest coast | Gallesouth coast, Mirissa is similar | Kandy500 m | Nuwara Eliya1,890 m, Ella is warmer | SigiriyaCultural Triangle, dry zone | Trincomaleeeast coast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31° / 23°60 mm | 30° / 23°95 mm | 28° / 18°120 mm | 20° / 9°140 mm | 29° / 21°100 mm | 27° / 23°180 mm |
| Feb | 31° / 23°70 mm | 30° / 23°80 mm | 30° / 18°70 mm | 21° / 9°70 mm | 31° / 21°50 mm | 28° / 23°80 mm |
| Mar | 32° / 24°130 mm | 31° / 24°130 mm | 31° / 19°100 mm | 22° / 10°90 mm | 33° / 22°80 mm | 30° / 24°50 mm |
| Apr | 32° / 25°250 mm | 31° / 25°240 mm | 31° / 21°190 mm | 22° / 12°170 mm | 34° / 24°180 mm | 32° / 25°50 mm |
| May | 31° / 26°380 mm | 30° / 26°350 mm | 30° / 22°150 mm | 21° / 13°200 mm | 33° / 25°70 mm | 34° / 26°60 mm |
| Jun | 30° / 26°190 mm | 29° / 25°210 mm | 28° / 22°130 mm | 18° / 14°290 mm | 32° / 25°15 mm | 34° / 26°30 mm |
| Jul | 30° / 25°130 mm | 29° / 25°140 mm | 28° / 21°130 mm | 18° / 14°250 mm | 32° / 25°25 mm | 34° / 26°50 mm |
| Aug | 30° / 25°110 mm | 29° / 25°130 mm | 28° / 21°120 mm | 18° / 13°200 mm | 32° / 24°30 mm | 33° / 25°90 mm |
| Sep | 30° / 25°160 mm | 29° / 25°240 mm | 28° / 21°150 mm | 19° / 12°180 mm | 33° / 24°60 mm | 33° / 25°100 mm |
| Oct | 30° / 24°370 mm | 29° / 24°350 mm | 28° / 20°280 mm | 20° / 12°250 mm | 32° / 23°250 mm | 31° / 24°210 mm |
| Nov | 30° / 24°310 mm | 29° / 24°280 mm | 28° / 20°260 mm | 20° / 11°240 mm | 30° / 22°280 mm | 29° / 23°360 mm |
| Dec | 30° / 23°150 mm | 29° / 23°170 mm | 28° / 19°200 mm | 20° / 10°200 mm | 29° / 21°220 mm | 28° / 23°360 mm |
Rounded long term averages. Blue shading marks the wetter months. Individual years can be hotter, colder or wetter.
A 14 day trip for February
Our suggestion for February: Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala, Mirissa and Galle. Every trip can be made private and changed to suit your dates, or try your own route in our trip planner.
Tip: With good weather everywhere, February suits a long, unhurried trip covering the whole island.
Want a February trip made for you?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 14 days, built around your dates.
Other months
Thinking about January or March? See Sri Lanka in January and Sri Lanka in March, or compare every season in our guide to the best time to visit Sri Lanka.
Rather have a trip to Sri Lanka made just for you?
Answer a few quick questions and a local specialist will send you a free, no-obligation itinerary and price.
Frequently asked questions
Is February the best month for Sri Lanka?
It is one of the best: dry across almost the whole island, with whales in the south and green landscapes in the Cultural Triangle.
Sources we checked
Sri Lanka month by month
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