The short answer
When to go to Hikkaduwa
December to March is the best window for Hikkaduwa: the driest months on the nearby Galle climate table, with calmer seas for the reef and the main surf season. April is hotter and wetter, May to November brings monsoon and inter-monsoon rain, with May and October the wettest. The beach and memorials can be visited year round, but swimming and snorkelling are unreliable outside the dry season. Older travellers should plan walks for mornings and evenings.
Month by month
Hikkaduwa weather by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°C | 23°C | 87 mm | Driest stretch of the year; calm seas and surf season | |
| February | 31°C | 24°C | 71 mm | Lowest rain of the year; good for reef and walking | |
| March | 32°C | 25°C | 90 mm | Dry and warm; midday heat builds | |
| April | 31°C | 25°C | 202 mm | Hotter and more humid; showers frequent; turtle nesting begins | |
| May | 30°C | 26°C | 316 mm | Southwest monsoon sets in; heavy rain and rough sea | |
| June | 29°C | 26°C | 184 mm | Monsoon showers; swimming often unsafe | |
| July | 29°C | 25°C | 173 mm | Showery with bright spells; rough sea | |
| August | 29°C | 25°C | 162 mm | Showery; quieter beaches | |
| September | 29°C | 25°C | 261 mm | Rain increasing; plan indoor stops | |
| October | 29°C | 25°C | 345 mm | Wettest month; storms likely | |
| November | 30°C | 24°C | 283 mm | Heavy inter-monsoon rain; surf season begins | |
| December | 30°C | 24°C | 176 mm | Drier again and busier with festive-season visitors |
Temperatures and rainfall are long-term monthly averages. Check the forecast a few days before you travel.
Seasons at a glance
Hikkaduwa seasons for families and seniors
The easiest months: January, February and March
- January: Driest stretch of the year; calm seas and surf season
- February: Lowest rain of the year; good for reef and walking
- March: Dry and warm; midday heat builds
Good, with small trade-offs: December
- December: Drier again and busier with festive-season visitors
Possible, with planning: April, June, July, August, September and November
- April: Hotter and more humid; showers frequent; turtle nesting begins
- June: Monsoon showers; swimming often unsafe
- July: Showery with bright spells; rough sea
- August: Showery; quieter beaches
- September: Rain increasing; plan indoor stops
- November: Heavy inter-monsoon rain; surf season begins
Best avoided with parents or children: May and October
- May: Southwest monsoon sets in; heavy rain and rough sea
- October: Wettest month; storms likely
Useful answers
Best time to visit Hikkaduwa: FAQs
What is the best month to visit Hikkaduwa?
January, February and March are the best months to visit Hikkaduwa, with December also good. December to March is the best window for Hikkaduwa: the driest months on the nearby Galle climate table, with calmer seas for the reef and the main surf season. April is hotter and wetter, May to November brings monsoon and inter-monsoon rain, with May and October the wettest. The beach and memorials can be visited year round, but swimming and snorkelling are unreliable outside the dry season. Older travellers should plan walks for mornings and evenings.
Which months should I avoid in Hikkaduwa with elderly parents?
May and October are the months to avoid with older travellers. Southwest monsoon sets in; heavy rain and rough sea Wettest month; storms likely
When does it rain most in Hikkaduwa?
October is the wettest month, with about 345 mm of rain on average. The hottest month is March, with average highs around 32°C.