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Goa weather
Best time: Nov–Feb
Goa is warm in every month, 29–34 °C by day, so the question is never the temperature. It is the rain and the sea. From November to February the coast is dry and the sea is open; from June to September the monsoon drops most of a year's rain, red flags go up on the beaches and swimming stops. Below is the climate by month and what it means on the sand; for today's forecast, use the IMD link at the end.
Jun–Sep official red-flag advisory: sea & watersports closedMonth by month
🟩 Best time · 🟢 Good time · 🟧 Better avoid. Bar height is the daytime high.
| Month | °C | Rain | Humidity | Season |
| January | 20–32 | 1 mm · 0 d | 69% | Best time · Sea open for swimming |
| February | 21–32 | 0 mm · 0 d | 71% | Best time · Sea open for swimming |
| March | 23–33 | 0 mm · 0 d | 74% | Good time · Sea open for swimming |
| April | 25–33 | 5 mm · 0 d | 72% | Good time · Rough sea, swim with care |
| May | 26–34 | 77 mm · 4 d | 73% | Better avoid · Rough sea, swim with care |
| June | 25–31 | 890 mm · 21 d | 86% | Better avoid · Swimming closed (monsoon) |
| July | 24–29 | 955 mm · 27 d | 90% | Better avoid · Swimming closed (monsoon) |
| August | 24–30 | 572 mm · 23 d | 89% | Better avoid · Swimming closed (monsoon) |
| September | 24–30 | 304 mm · 14 d | 87% | Better avoid · Swimming closed (monsoon) |
| October | 24–32 | 156 mm · 7 d | 83% | Good time · Rough sea, swim with care |
| November | 23–34 | 21 mm · 2 d | 72% | Best time · Sea open for swimming |
| December | 21–33 | 2 mm · 0 d | 67% | Best time · Sea open for swimming |
Long-term averages from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The full Goa guide in India GO.
Open in India GOWhat each season feels like
November–February, the dry season. Days of 32–34 °C, nights of 20–23 °C, and practically no rain from December to March. Humidity drops to its lowest (67–72%), the sea is calm, and the beach shacks are all open. This is high season, and the beaches are at their busiest.
March–May, the build-up. The heat stays the same, 33–34 °C, but nights warm from 23 °C in March to 25–26 °C in April and May and the air gets heavier. From April the sea starts to turn rough, and May brings the first pre-monsoon rain (77 mm over four days).
June–September, the monsoon. On IMD's normal dates the monsoon reaches Goa around 5 June. June and July bring 890–955 mm each, with rain on 21–27 days a month, humidity near 90% and days of 29–31 °C. The sea is closed to swimmers and water sports, the beach shacks close, and the hinterland turns a deep, wet green, with the waterfalls at their fullest.
October, the in-between. The monsoon withdraws from Goa around 14 October. Rain falls to 156 mm over seven days, the sea is still rough, and the season reopens bit by bit towards November.
Can you swim? The sea by month
| Months | Sea | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| November–March | Open | The swimming season |
| April–May, October | Rough | Swimming possible on calm days; read the sea before going in |
| June–September | Closed | Official red-flag advisory: no swimming and no water sports |
More on choosing a beach and sea safety: [Beaches in Goa](/en/goa/beaches/).
Best time to visit Goa
November to February is the best window for a beach trip: dry days, open sea and every shack and market running. March and April are still good if you can take warmer, more humid nights. May to September is the time to avoid if the sea is the point. Goa in the monsoon is a different trip, green and quiet, made for the forts, churches and waterfall country rather than the sand.
Festivals through the year
Goa's calendar does not stop for the rain: some of its liveliest village festivals happen in the monsoon. All dates: [Goa festivals](/en/goa/festivals/).
Dry season: November–January
Narkasur effigy night before Diwali (7–8 November in 2026), the [Feast of St Francis Xavier](/en/festivals/feast-st-francis-xavier/goa/) in Old Goa (24 November–3 December), the [Serendipity Arts Festival](/en/festivals/serendipity-arts-festival/goa/) in Panaji (13–20 December 2026), Goa Liberation Day on 19 December and the Three Kings Feast on 6 January.
Spring heat: March–May
[Shigmo](/en/festivals/shigmo-goa/goa/), the Hindu spring festival with village drums and town float parades (5–18 March in 2026), and the Lairai Zatra fire-walk in Shirgao (21–22 April 2026; expected 10–11 May 2027). Hot days, warm nights, and almost no rain until May.
Monsoon: June–August
[Sao Joao](/en/festivals/sao-joao-goa/goa/) on 24 June, when villagers jump into monsoon-filled wells; Chikhal Kalo, the mud games at Marcel in July; and [Bonderam](/en/festivals/bonderam-divar/) on Divar island on the fourth Saturday of August. Expect rain, and enjoy it.
✅ What to pack
Light clothes in any month; the rest depends on the season.
- Sun protection, all year — Hat, sunscreen and water: daytime highs are 29–34 °C in every month.
- A light layer for December–February evenings — Nights fall to about 20–21 °C, which feels cool on a scooter.
- Proper rain gear for June–September — A rain jacket, quick-drying clothes and a waterproof bag for the phone.
Today's weather and warnings
The figures on this page are long-term averages, not a forecast. For today's weather, the next ten days and any heavy-rain or sea warnings, check the India Meteorological Department's Goa centre: mausam.imd.gov.in/goa.
❓ FAQ
When is the rainy season in Goa?
From about 5 June to mid-October on IMD's normal dates. June and July are the wettest months, with 890–955 mm and rain on most days.
When should I avoid a Goa trip?
If you want the beach, avoid June to September: the sea is closed under an official red-flag advisory and the shacks close. May is hot and humid, with a rough sea.
Can you swim in the sea in Goa?
From November to March, yes: the sea is open and calm. In April–May and October it is often rough, and from June to September swimming is not allowed.
Can you swim in Goa in January?
Yes. January is in the open-sea season, dry, with days of about 32 °C.
Which is the coldest month in Goa?
January, and only at night: lows average 20 °C, while days still reach 32 °C.