October is the inter-monsoon, and it is the only month of the twelve where the island does not have a good answer. The south-west monsoon has finished, so the east coast has lost its offshore, and the north-east monsoon has not arrived, so the south coast has not gained one. Rain falls on both.
That does not mean nothing works. The south coast starts showing signs towards the end of the month and Arugam Bay can still deliver on a late swell, but neither is something to plan a week around. If October is your only window, take the second half and take the south coast, because November is what it is turning into. The water is at 28°C.
