Quick answer
December is a good month for a relaxing beach holiday in Sri Lanka on the south and west coasts, where the sea calms and the weather dries as the season begins. The first half of December is quiet and good value; from roughly 20 December to early January is the busiest, most expensive period of the year. Calm-water beaches such as Unawatuna, Dalawella and Mirissa are reliable. The east coast is in the north-east monsoon.
Key takeaways
- In December the south and west coasts of Sri Lanka usually become dry and calm, with sea temperatures of roughly 27 to 28°C.
- Early December is one of the quietest, best-value times on the south coast while conditions are already good.
- From roughly 20 December to early January, hotels fill and rates reach their annual peak; book months ahead.
- The east coast and north are in the north-east monsoon in December, with heavy rain and rough seas.
- There is always a good coast in Sri Lanka, and in December it is the south and west.
Beach weather in Sri Lanka in December
Beach weather in Sri Lanka in December favours the south and west coasts. The swell drops, showers become infrequent and days are mostly sunny. The first week can still bring the occasional heavy shower, but conditions usually improve steadily.
On the east coast and in the north, December is one of the wettest months of the north-east monsoon. Heavy rain and rough seas make Trincomalee and Pasikudah unsuitable for a beach holiday.
- →South and west coasts: improving to excellent; the best coast this month.
- →East coast and north: monsoon rain and rough seas.
- →Daytime temperatures on the south coast: roughly 29 to 31°C.
The most relaxing beaches in December
The most relaxing beaches in December offer calm water and some distance from the festive crowds.
- →Dalawella and Thalpe: reef pools and villas, quieter than Unawatuna over Christmas.
- →Talalla: a long, quiet beach with a few retreats, calm in good conditions.
- →Goyambokka and Silent Beach, Tangalle: sheltered coves on an uncrowded coast.
- →Induruwa: a quiet west-coast beach close to the airport.
- →Mirissa's eastern end: whale boats nearby, away from the central bay's parties.
Early December or Christmas
Early December or Christmas is the key choice for a relaxing December beach holiday. The first half of the month offers good weather, quiet beaches and rates well below the peak. The Christmas and New Year fortnight brings full hotels, higher prices and busy beaches, with festive dinners and New Year's Eve parties at many hotels.
- →1 to 19 December: quiet, good value, conditions usually good.
- →20 December to early January: peak crowds and prices; book three to six months ahead.
- →New Year's Eve: many beach hotels and bars hold parties; ask about noise.
- →Unduvap poya, the December full moon, is a public holiday; dates shift each year.
A quiet Christmas on the beach
A quiet Christmas on the beach in Sri Lanka is possible with the right place. Large resorts and the central parts of Unawatuna and Mirissa are lively over the holidays, while villas, small boutique hotels and quieter beaches such as Talalla, Tangalle and Induruwa stay calm.
A private villa with staff is a particularly restful way to spend Christmas, with meals cooked at home and no need to book restaurants. Ask any hotel about compulsory gala dinners and New Year's Eve events, which can add significantly to the cost.
Who December suits
December suits travellers escaping the northern-hemisphere winter, families on school holidays, and those who want the island at its most festive. Early December suits those who want calm seas without the crowds. Travellers on a tight budget or seeking solitude should avoid the Christmas fortnight.
Planning a December beach holiday
Plan a December beach holiday on the south or west coast, with five to seven nights at one base. For the Christmas period, book early and choose a quiet beach or villa. For early December, a shorter booking window is often fine.
Lankan Stays & Trails can arrange December beach stays, including quiet villas for Christmas, with airport transfers. The guide to Sri Lanka in December covers the rest of the island this month.
Frequently asked questions
Is December a good time for a beach holiday in Sri Lanka?
Yes, on the south and west coasts, where the season begins and the sea calms. Early December is quiet and good value; the Christmas fortnight is the busiest and most expensive time of the year. The east coast is in the monsoon this month.
Is Sri Lanka busy at Christmas?
Yes. From roughly 20 December to early January, hotels on the south and west coasts are at their fullest and most expensive. Quieter options include villas, small boutique hotels and beaches such as Talalla, Tangalle and Induruwa. Book three to six months ahead.
Is the sea calm in Sri Lanka in December?
On the south and west coasts the sea usually calms through December, and sheltered beaches such as Unawatuna, Dalawella and Mirissa are good for swimming. Early December can still have rougher days. Always check flags and local advice.
Which beach is best in Sri Lanka in December?
For a relaxing stay, Dalawella near Galle, the coves at Tangalle, Talalla and Induruwa are excellent in December. Mirissa and Unawatuna have calm water too, but their central beaches are busy over Christmas and New Year.
Can you go to the east coast of Sri Lanka in December?
Not for a beach holiday. December is one of the wettest months on the east coast, with the north-east monsoon bringing heavy rain and rough seas to Trincomalee and Pasikudah. The east coast's beach season runs roughly May to September.
How far ahead should I book a Christmas beach holiday in Sri Lanka?
Three to six months ahead is advisable for the Christmas and New Year period, especially for small hotels and villas on quieter beaches. Early December stays can often be booked a few weeks ahead.