Destination guide
Goa weather by month
Goa is best for a sunshine-led holiday from December to February, with February the strongest choice and January close behind. Daytime averages of 31°C to 32°C mean it is still hot, but January and February nights fall to 20°C, making evenings more comfortable than in late spring. The main catch is the monsoon: summer brings lower temperatures, but frequent rain and very little sunshine make it a poor choice for reliable outdoor days.
- Hottest month
- 32.8°CApril
- Coolest month
- 26.9°CJuly
- Warmest sea
- 29.6°CMay
- Flight from London
- 10 h 12 minLong-haul (7 h+) · estimated
Goa, month by month
A little perspective
Goa through the year
Every month at a glance; "best" marks our three top months on warmth, dryness and sunshine.
| Month | Day | Night | Sea | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Januarybest | 31.3°C | 19.9°C | 27.2°C | 8.9 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| Februarybest | 31.7°C | 20.2°C | 27.5°C | 9.8 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| March | 32.1°C | 22.6°C | 28.5°C | 9.0 | 6 | 1 | 100% |
| April | 32.8°C | 25.0°C | 29.4°C | 8.4 | 8 | 2 | 100% |
| May | 32.5°C | 26.3°C | 29.6°C | 5.7 | 66 | 8 | 100% |
| June | 28.4°C | 25.1°C | 28.8°C | 1.2 | 742 | 28 | 100% |
| July | 26.9°C | 24.4°C | 27.7°C | 0.5 | 1037 | 31 | 97% |
| August | 26.9°C | 24.1°C | 26.9°C | 0.9 | 689 | 30 | 97% |
| September | 27.9°C | 24.0°C | 27.4°C | 2.1 | 312 | 25 | 99% |
| October | 29.7°C | 24.1°C | 28.3°C | 4.0 | 168 | 18 | 100% |
| November | 31.5°C | 22.9°C | 28.5°C | 6.4 | 32 | 5 | 100% |
| Decemberbest | 31.7°C | 21.2°C | 27.8°C | 7.7 | 7 | 1 | 100% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
- Sea
Best months here
On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.
When to go to Goa
For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. July is the wettest month (1037 mm, about 31 rainy days) and January the driest (1 mm). The sea is warmest in May at 29.6°C and coolest in August at 26.9°C.
Getting there
A direct flight from London Gatwick to Goa Dabolim International Airport (GOI, 13 km from Panjim) takes roughly 10 h 12 min - long-haul (7 h+) by UK standards. Time-zone: Asia/Kolkata.
Records and extremes, 1991-2020
The hottest day recorded in Goa between 1991 and 2020 reached 36.9°C on 3 April 2010; the coldest fell to 14.3°C on 3 January 1991. In April one day in ten tops 34.1°C and about 100% of days pass 30°C; in July one night in ten drops to 23.8°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was July 2009 with 1653 mm, against a July average of 1037 mm.
Sunrise, sunset and daylight in Goa
Local time on the 15th of each month; daylight-saving rules as of 2020.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight | Sunshine/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 07:05 | 18:23 | 11.3 h | 8.9 h |
| February | 07:00 | 18:38 | 11.6 h | 9.8 h |
| March | 06:42 | 18:45 | 12.0 h | 9.0 h |
| April | 06:20 | 18:49 | 12.5 h | 8.4 h |
| May | 06:06 | 18:57 | 12.8 h | 5.7 h |
| June | 06:04 | 19:06 | 13.0 h | 1.2 h |
| July | 06:12 | 19:09 | 13.0 h | 0.5 h |
| August | 06:20 | 18:59 | 12.6 h | 0.9 h |
| September | 06:23 | 18:37 | 12.2 h | 2.1 h |
| October | 06:27 | 18:14 | 11.8 h | 4.0 h |
| November | 06:37 | 18:02 | 11.4 h | 6.4 h |
| December | 06:53 | 18:06 | 11.2 h | 7.7 h |
November to February: the best window for dry weather
November marks a useful improvement, with rain down to 4 days on average, though December is a stronger bet if dry weather matters most. December combines warm days with cooler evenings and more sunshine, making it a good choice for spending much of the day outdoors. January and February each average 0 rain days, while February has the most sunshine at 10 hours a day. That does not guarantee an entirely dry stay, but it makes this the clearest window for weather-led plans. Pack light daytime clothing and keep sun protection handy; even in this more comfortable season, midday temperatures call for shade rather than sustained activity.
March to May: hotter nights and a growing chance of rain
March remains a reasonable choice for mostly dry weather, averaging just 1 rain day, but nights are warmer than in January or February. April is the hottest month, with daytime averages around 33°C and nights at 25°C, so there is less relief after sunset. Plan active outings for earlier in the day and leave room for a shaded midday break. May is less straightforward: rain rises to 8 days, sunshine drops and nights stay warm at 26°C. The sea reaches 30°C, which suits travellers who like very warm water, but offers little cooling contrast. This period suits heat-tolerant travellers better than anyone hoping for cool evenings.
June to October: frequent rain, then a gradual recovery
June brings a sharp change, with 28 rain days and just 1 hour of sunshine a day on average. July and August are cooler than the dry-season months, but that is not much compensation if your priority is time in the sun: rain is frequent throughout this stretch. September improves only gradually, still averaging 25 rain days, so flexible plans and rain protection remain important. October is a transition rather than a reliably dry month, with 18 rain days and 4 hours of daily sunshine. These months suit travellers willing to work around wet weather; for a holiday built around long outdoor days, waiting until later in the year is the better judgement.
A little more detail
Goa weather FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
What is the best time to visit Goa?
Judged on warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, the best months in Goa are February, January and December. April is the hottest month (average high 32.8°C) and July the coolest (26.9°C).
How many months a year is Goa over 25°C?
12 months in Goa average a daytime high of 25°C or more, and 12 average 20°C or more.
When is the rainy season in Goa?
July is the wettest month in Goa (1037 mm on average) and January the driest (1 mm). Annual rainfall averages 3069 mm.
What is the hottest temperature recorded in Goa?
The hottest day recorded in Goa between 1991 and 2020 reached 36.9°C on 3 April 2010; the coldest fell to 14.3°C on 3 January 1991. Records come from daily data for 1991-2020, not from a single station's all-time history.
Is the sea warm enough for swimming throughout the year?
Sea temperatures range from 27°C to 30°C, so the water stays warm throughout the year. May has the warmest sea. Temperature alone does not establish safe swimming conditions, though, so do not treat warm water as a reason to ignore local advice.
Will I need warm clothes for Goa in January?
January averages 31°C by day and 20°C at night, so light clothing should cover most of your stay. A light layer may be useful if you feel the cooler evenings, but these averages do not suggest a need for heavy winter clothing.
Is October a good alternative to December?
October is warm, but it is a much wetter compromise: it averages 18 rain days compared with December's 1. Choose October only if you are comfortable adjusting outdoor plans around rain; December is the stronger choice for more dependable dry weather.
See also: India weather by month · where else is hot in April
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid) and NOAA Coral Reef Watch 5 km sea temperatures, 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at Panjim (Panaji). Sea temperature from the nearest 5 km sea cell, 2.3 km from that point. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C