November

November marks the beginning of the northeast monsoon, affecting the eastern and northern parts of Sri Lanka. As a result, the southwest and central regions enjoy improving weather conditions, making it an ideal time to explore the island’s national parks, coastal regions, and scenic landscapes. While the east becomes wetter, the south and west open up for an array of activities.

National Park Private Safaris

With the northeast monsoon in full swing, wildlife safaris in the southern and central regions offer excellent conditions:

• Yala National Park: November is a great time to visit Yala, as the park is lush and rejuvenated from the earlier rains. It offers prime opportunities to spot leopards, elephants, and a variety of other wildlife.
• Udawalawe National Park: This park continues to offer some of the best elephant sightings in the country, with herds roaming the open plains. The rainy season keeps the park green and teeming with life.
• Wilpattu National Park: While Wilpattu may experience some rain, it is still a good destination for spotting leopards, sloth bears, and elephants amidst the dense, green foliage.
• Bundala National Park: November is a perfect time for birdwatching in Bundala as migratory birds, including flamingos, begin to arrive in large numbers.
• Minneriya National Park: The Great Elephant Gathering starts to fade, but November still offers sightings of smaller herds around the park’s reservoirs.

Discovery Kitesurfing Course (Kalpitiya)

Kalpitiya enters its off-season in November, with the northeast monsoon bringing rainy and unpredictable weather, making it less ideal for kitesurfing. Enthusiasts should plan for alternative activities during this time, as winds become irregular and the waters rougher.

Deep Sea Fishing Boat Tour

With the southwest coast enjoying better weather, November offers good conditions for deep-sea fishing around Negombo, Bentota, and Hikkaduwa. These areas provide opportunities to catch species such as barracuda, tuna, and trevally. The east coast (Trincomalee, Kalpitiya) sees rougher seas due to the monsoon, making it less suitable for fishing during this time.

Scuba Diving

As the southwest coast clears up, November is an ideal month for scuba diving in Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, and Bentota. The waters are calm, and visibility improves, making it perfect for exploring vibrant coral reefs, shipwrecks, and a diverse array of marine life. The east coast becomes less favorable for diving due to the incoming monsoon.

Snorkeling

The southwest coast opens up for snorkeling in November, with Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, and Bentota offering excellent coral reefs, colorful fish, and sea turtles. As the northeast monsoon affects the east coast, snorkeling there becomes less viable due to rough seas and rain.

Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

Kalpitiya may be affected by the northeast monsoon, limiting dolphin watching opportunities. However, Mirissa and southern coast destinations begin their dolphin-watching season as the weather improves, providing great opportunities to spot dolphins in calmer waters.

Whale Watching Boat Tour

November marks the peak of the whale watching season on the southwest coast, particularly in Mirissa. With calm seas and clear skies, visitors have a high chance of spotting blue whales, sperm whales, and dolphins. The east coast whale watching season comes to a close due to the rougher seas and rain.

Hot Air Ballooning (Dambulla, Kandalama, Habarana, Sigiriya)

November is an excellent time for hot air ballooning around the Cultural Triangle (Sigiriya, Dambulla, Habarana). The weather is generally clear in the mornings, offering breathtaking views of the lush landscapes and historical sites. Balloon rides during this time provide a peaceful and scenic experience, as the countryside is fresh from the rains.