Visiting Sri Lanka in February
Weather and climate
Sri Lanka in February
The fantastic weather continues throughout February, another of the best times to visit Sri Lanka. You’ll find warm, dry days at the beaches of the south and west coast, such as the Indian Ocean beaches of Tangalle and Unawatuna, along with at the historic sites in the Cultural Triangle and in Kandy.
As in January, February is a great month for wildlife spotting in Sri Lanka, as the animals gather at water holes in the country’s largest national park, Wilpattu, and further south at Udawalawe and Yala. It’s also the height of whale-watching season off the south coast, with blue whales stopping to feed on their migration, as well as a good month to explore the rainforest at Sinharaja National Park.
The Hill Country can be comparatively cool, with average temperatures reaching a high of 21C and dropping down to 10C in Nuwara Eliya, but it’s also one of the driest months of the year with the most hours of sunshine if you’re planning to go trekking in the hills around Ella.
The north-east monsoon is still affecting the east coast but starting to come to an end so it’s less rainy here than in previous months if you’re planning to visit Trincomalee.
Festivals: Galle Literary festival takes place in late January or early February, with a string of extra events including an art trail, food showcase and children’s festival.
February 4 also marks Sri Lankan Independence Day with ceremonies and parades across the country.
Best for: The beaches on the south and west coast, animals in the national parks, blue whales, exploring the historic sites
Monthly Sri Lanka climate chart
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North / East | ● 28°C 🌤️ |
● 29°C 🌤️ |
● 31°C 🌤️ |
● 33°C ☀️ |
● 35°C ☀️ |
● 35°C ☀️ |
● 35°C ☀️ |
● 34°C ☀️ |
● 34°C ☀️ |
● 32°C 🌦️ |
● 29°C 🌦️ |
● 28°C 🌦️ |
| Central | ● 19°C ☀️ |
● 21°C ☀️ |
● 22°C 🌤️ |
● 22°C 🌦️ |
● 21°C 🌦️ |
● 19°C 🌤️ |
● 19°C 🌤️ |
● 19°C 🌤️ |
● 20°C 🌤️ |
● 20°C 🌧️ |
● 20°C 🌧️ |
● 20°C 🌦️ |
| South / West | ● 30°C ☀️ |
● 30°C ☀️ |
● 31°C ☀️ |
● 31°C ☀️ |
● 30°C 🌧️ |
● 29°C 🌧️ |
● 29°C 🌧️ |
● 29°C 🌧️ |
● 29°C 🌧️ |
● 29°C 🌧️ |
● 29°C 🌧️ |
● 29°C 🌤️ |
A few of our favourite Sri Lanka holidays
