The short answer
- Month
- June
- Verdict
- Good
- South and west coasts
- Wet and windy
- East coast
- Dry and sunny
- Cultural Triangle
- Dry and windy
- Hill country
- Showers, misty
June is low season on the south west coast, but it is a fine month for the east coast, Jaffna and the ancient cities. Strong winds keep the dry zone pleasantly breezy.
Where it is dry in June
Sri Lanka has two monsoons, so one coast is usually dry. The map opens on June; tap another month to compare.
Choose your month
June
Wet on the south west coast, dry and sunny in the east and the Cultural Triangle.
- North (Jaffna) (best)
- Cultural Triangle (best)Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa
- East coast (best)Trincomalee, Pasikudah, Arugam Bay
- Yala (best)south east safari parks
- Hill country (mixed)Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella
- West coast (wet or difficult)Colombo, Negombo, Bentota
- South coast (wet or difficult)Galle, Unawatuna, Mirissa
June across the year
How June compares with the rest of the year in each region. The ringed column is June.
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 June
- Trincomalee and Nilaveli: Beach and snorkelling season.
- Arugam Bay: Surf season in full swing.
- Jaffna and the north: Dry and easy to reach on the reopened train.
What to avoid in June
- Swimming on the south and west coasts.
- Expecting clear views at Horton Plains.
Festivals and events in June
- Poson (June full moon): Celebrates the arrival of Buddhism; huge crowds at Mihintale and Anuradhapura.
Weather in June
Average highs, lows and rainfall, with June 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 10 day trip for June
Our suggestion for June: Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Kandy, then the east coast. Every trip can be made private and changed to suit your dates, or try your own route in our trip planner.
Tip: Low season prices on the south coast can be tempting, but the sea is not safe for swimming.
Want a June trip made for you?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 10 days, built around your dates.
Other months
Thinking about May or July? See Sri Lanka in May and Sri Lanka in July, 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 June a good time to visit Sri Lanka?
Yes for the east coast, the north and the ancient cities; no for the south coast beaches.
Sources we checked
Sri Lanka month by month
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