Kerala in November is one of the better-value months, as the retreating northeast monsoon fades from north to south. The northern coast turns warm and bright near 32°C to 33°C, while the south and southern hills still catch short afternoon showers. Rates stay below the December peak, and the sea calms enough for swimming.
How is Kerala's weather in November?
November is drier and steadier than October, because the southwest monsoon has withdrawn and the northeast monsoon now runs the weather. This is Kerala's own retreating-monsoon pattern, not the tail of the June rains, and it fades from north to south through the month.
Weather in Kerala in November
November is typically one of Kerala's dry months. The northeast monsoon arrives as short, sharp afternoon and evening spells rather than the all-day rain of the southwest monsoon, and it weakens through the month, earliest in the north.
The northern coast around Kozhikode and Bekal turns warm and mostly bright near 32°C to 33°C, while the south around Thiruvananthapuram stays wetter and a little cooler near 31°C, with humid nights near 24°C to 25°C. The hills are the cool break. Munnar sits near 22°C by day and around 15°C at night, with colder clear nights late in the month, though early November still catches showers in the southern ranges. These are typical November averages, not a forecast for any one year. For reference, the northeast monsoon set in over Kerala around 15 October in 2026, which is the normal window.
Overall Temperature in Kerala, area wise
The figures below are long-term November averages, not a forecast for any single year. They are grouped by region because a November day in Munnar and a November day on the Kozhikode coast are not the same holiday.
These are long-term monthly averages, not a forecast for any single year. Munnar, Wayanad, Vagamon, Thekkady and Ponmudi have no dedicated IMD weather station, so their figures are indicative estimates and approximate, and Bekal uses the Mangalore station on the same coast. The hill and southern rainfall totals fall mainly in short northeast-monsoon spells, heavier in the first half of the month.
| Region and place | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) | Rainy days | Sea (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Munnar (hill) | 22 | 15 | 277 | 16 | not applicable |
| Wayanad, Kalpetta (hill) | 26 | 17 | 110 | 12 | not applicable |
| Vagamon (hill) | 26 | 19 | 256 | 16 | not applicable |
| Thekkady, Kumily (hill) | 26 | 19 | 220 | 16 | not applicable |
| Alleppey (Alappuzha) | 31.5 | 24.0 | 150 | 7 | 28.5 |
| Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) | 30.7 | 24.8 | 215 | 13 | 28.5 |
| Kollam | 30.7 | 24.8 | 215 | 13 | 28.5 |
| Kozhikode (Calicut) | 32.6 | 24.3 | 120 | 6 | 29 |
| Bekal (Kasaragod coast) | 32.9 | 22.9 | 85 | 5 | 29 |
| Ponmudi (hill, ~1000 m) | 23 | 17 | high | not applicable | not applicable |
| Kuttanad (backwaters, sea level) | 31.5 | 24.0 | 150 | 7 | not applicable |
Kerala Hill Stations: Weather and Temperature
Munnar. Still the wettest hill in the group this month. Days stay near 22°C and nights around 15°C, dropping colder on clear nights late in November. Early-month showers favour tea-estate mornings, before the cloud builds.
Wayanad. The northern plateau dries out first. Highs near 26°C and nights around 17°C, with rainfall well down from October, so roads and viewpoints firm up as the month goes on.
Vagamon. Breezy days near 26°C and cool evenings around 19°C, colder on clear nights on the grassland. The retreating monsoon still sends afternoon spells, heavier in the first half.
Thekkady (Kumily). Mild near 26°C by day and around 19°C at night. The Periyar belt registers both monsoons, so short spells run into November, with greener forest after the rains.
Kerala Coastal and Backwater Regions: Weather and Temperature
Alleppey (Alappuzha). Warm near 31°C to 32°C by day and around 24°C at night, with the backwaters full after the monsoon and afternoon showers easing through the month.
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum). The south stays the wettest coast now, near 31°C by day and 25°C at night, with the northeast monsoon still active, so carry rain cover.
Kollam. Much like Thiruvananthapuram, warm and still catching northeast spells, the quieter southern gateway into the backwaters.
Kozhikode (Calicut). Warmer and much drier than the south, near 33°C by day, as the northern coast settles into bright spells earliest.
Kerala's Other Destinations: Weather and Temperature
Bekal. Far-north coast and the driest beach option this month, near 33°C by day with barely any rain, pairing the clifftop fort with a long, uncrowded beach.
Ponmudi. The southern hill near Thiruvananthapuram stays cool near 23°C but windward and wet in the retreating monsoon, so check the ghat road is open before you head up.
Kuttanad. The backwater heartland below Alleppey, warm near 31°C and sea-level humid, with water levels high after the monsoon, good for slow boat days.
Is there any Rainfall in November?
Yes, November gets moderate northeast-monsoon rain, heaviest in the southern hills and the far south and lightest in the north, mostly as short afternoon showers.
The northeast monsoon brings short, sharp afternoon and evening spells rather than all-day rain, and it drops off from north to south as the month goes on. The southern coast stays wettest, with Thiruvananthapuram near 215 mm over about 13 rainy days and Kollam the same, while the backwater belt around Alleppey runs near 150 mm over 7 days. The north is far drier, with Kozhikode near 120 mm over 6 days and Bekal about 85 mm over 5. The southern hills catch the most, Munnar near 277 mm and Vagamon near 256 mm, easing as November goes on. In practice, mornings are usually clear and showers build in the afternoon, so plan sightseeing early, and expect more clear days than wet ones by late November.
How is the Sea Temperature in Kerala?
The Arabian Sea off Kerala is warm in November, around 28.5°C to 29°C from Thiruvananthapuram up to Kozhikode and Bekal. That is comfortable for a long swim where conditions allow. Whether it is safe to swim is a separate question, covered below, and it depends on the beach and the day, more so in the south where northeast-monsoon showers can roughen the water.
What to pack for a trip to Kerala in November?
Pack for warm coastal days and afternoon showers, with a thin layer for the hills.
A compact umbrella or light rain shell. The northeast monsoon still sends sharp afternoon showers, heavier in the south, so rain cover earns its place even after a bright morning.
Light cottons for the warm coast. The north runs near 32°C to 33°C and the south high 20s to low 30s, so breathable fabric is the base layer.
A thin layer for the hills only. Munnar and Vagamon evenings are cool and clear nights colder, so a light fleece or shawl is plenty, nothing like a winter jacket.
Quick-drying footwear. Wet roads, backwater jetties and the odd shower make shoes that dry fast more useful than leather.
Insect repellent. Humidity stays high after the monsoon, especially around the backwaters and wildlife areas, so mosquitoes are active.
Sun protection. Bright spells between showers are strong this far south, so a hat, sunglasses and a high-SPF sunscreen all help.
Modest clothing for temples. Many temples are busy with the Sabarimala season, and some set specific dress rules, so keep shoulders and knees covered and check before you go.
A reusable bottle and rehydration salts. The coast stays warm and humid, so long days outdoors still call for fluids.
Keep the heavy sightseeing for the morning, especially in the south. Clear early hours give way to afternoon and evening spells through much of November.
What festivals and events to attend in November in Kerala?
November's calendar is led by the start of the Sabarimala pilgrimage season, with temple festivals in the centre and north. Dates follow the Malayalam and lunar calendars, so confirm them close to travel.
Kerala Piravi, 1 November. Kerala's formation day, marked with cultural programmes, music and food events across the state. A fixed calendar date every year.
Kalpathi Ratholsavam, Palakkad. The chariot festival of the heritage village of Kalpathi on the Nila river, with decorated temple cars pulled through the streets. Held around 14 to 16 November in 2026.
Sabarimala Mandala season begins. The Ayyappa temple opens for the 41-day Mandala Kalam, opening on 16 November and running to Mandala Pooja on 27 December in 2026. Pilgrims crowd routes across several districts, covered under crowds below.
Guruvayur Ekadashi, around 21 November in 2026. The biggest annual observance at the Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple, preceded by the Chembai Sangeetholsavam classical-music festival.
If your route runs near the Sabarimala base points, expect heavier road and bus traffic from mid-November. More on that under crowds.
Is the sea safe for swimming and water sports in November?
Improving after the monsoon, but never automatically safe. November follows the rough June to September southwest-monsoon stretch, so swimming returns on the calmer beaches, warm near 28.5°C to 29°C, though the northeast monsoon can still roughen the water on showery days, more in the south.
Swim only where lifeguards are on duty and flags mark the patrolled zone. Kovalam and Varkala in the south and the northern beaches use the red-and-yellow flag system.
Treat showery and overcast days with care. Afternoon spells can lift the swell quickly, so check the day's flag and the lifeguard's advice before you go in.
The north is the calmer, drier bet this month. Bekal, Kannur and the Kozhikode beaches settle earlier than the south.
Water sports resume at Kovalam and a few busier beaches as the sea calms. These run through licensed operators, so confirm the operator and the day's conditions.
If there is no guard and no flag, stay out of the water. The months of roughest sea, about June to September, are over, but no Kerala beach is automatically safe.
How Crowded is Kerala in November?
November is shoulder season, quieter and better value than December, with demand climbing through the month toward the winter peak.
Early November is calm on the coast and backwaters after the monsoon, and the hills are not yet full, so you get good rates and open availability. Both tighten in the second half as the December rush nears. The one real crowd this month is the Sabarimala pilgrimage. From the temple opening on 16 November, pilgrims move in large numbers through Pathanamthitta district and the Pamba and Nilackal base points, and the knock-on traffic reaches the Kottayam, Erumeli and Kochi-to-Thekkady roads and the trains and KSRTC buses into Kerala. A leisure trip is not affected directly, but book trains and intercity transfers early if your route crosses those districts, and expect busier highways at weekends.
How much does a Kerala Trip cost in November?
November is shoulder-priced, above the monsoon and pre-monsoon lows but below the December to February peak, with rates rising through the month. Budget roughly Rs 3,200 to Rs 7,500 per person a day for a mid-range trip, on a twin-sharing, land-only basis, which covers a mid-range hotel, a car with driver, entry fees and meals but leaves out flights. Over a week, two people land somewhere near Rs 45,000 to Rs 105,000 before flights, moving with the hotel grade and the number of hill nights. These are indicative figures as of October 2026.
The houseboat is the single line that swings a budget the most. On the Alleppey and Kumarakom backwaters, a one-bedroom boat is about Rs 7,000 to Rs 11,000 a night for a deluxe, Rs 11,000 to Rs 19,000 for a premium, and from roughly Rs 19,000 upward for a luxury, quoted per boat per night with meals usually included. November rates sit above the monsoon lows and climb toward the Christmas and New Year surcharge that lands in late December.
What pushes prices in November is the calendar: the second-half build-up before the December peak, weekend premiums in Munnar and Wayanad, and any early festival-period demand. To put real numbers against a plan, our Kerala tour packages and the Alleppey backwater houseboat package both give you a current, cost starting point per person.
Best Kerala Activities in November
November rewards the backwaters and the north, with the southern hills better late in the month as the rain fades.
A backwater houseboat night on full water. The Alleppey and Kumarakom backwaters are topped up after the monsoon, and November rates sit below the December peak.
A Periyar Lake wildlife cruise at Thekkady. The post-monsoon forest is green and birdlife is strong, with the KTDC boat around Rs 500 per person as of October 2026. Expect busier Thekkady roads with the pilgrimage traffic.
Tea-estate mornings in Munnar. Start early, when the high ranges are clearest, before any afternoon shower builds, with the hills cooling toward winter.
North-coast beach days at Bekal and Kannur. The driest, calmest stretch this month, good for the fort, the long beaches and the first Theyyam performances in the village kavus.
Wildlife and viewpoints in Wayanad. The northern plateau firms up as it dries, with the Muthanga and Tholpetty sanctuaries and the Edakkal and Pookode stops. Check current access on routes affected by the 2024 landslides.
A heritage walk in Fort Kochi. Dry spells, the Chinese fishing nets and the old quarter on foot, an easy coastal base between showers.
What are the best 5 places to visit in Kerala in November?
Chosen for what November does well: full backwaters, the drying north and the first clear hill mornings.
Alleppey and Kumarakom. The backwaters are full after the monsoon and the houseboats run at shoulder rates before December. You cruise the Vembanad network past paddy and village jetties, with afternoon showers easing through the month. It sits about 1.5 hours south of Kochi (Cochin, COK), the easiest November base for a water trip.
Wayanad. The northern plateau dries out first under the retreating monsoon, so roads, viewpoints and the Muthanga and Tholpetty sanctuaries come good through November. Base around Kalpetta near 26°C by day, with the Edakkal caves and Pookode lake close by. Check current access on routes hit by the 2024 landslides before you plan.
Bekal and Kannur. The far-north coast is the driest, calmest beach bet this month, near 33°C by day with little rain. Bekal pairs a clifftop fort with a long, quiet beach, and the Kannur kavus begin their Theyyam season. The two sit about 1.5 to 2 hours apart by road, good for a coastal pause.
Munnar. The high ranges cool toward winter, near 22°C by day with cold clear nights late in the month, though early November still catches northeast showers. Tea-estate mornings, Mattupetty and Top Station, and Eravikulam National Park, open now before its February calving closure, reward an early start before cloud builds.
Fort Kochi. The heritage quarter suits November's clearing spells, with the Chinese fishing nets, colonial streets and the harbour on foot. It makes an easy coastal base near 31°C by day, well placed between the backwaters and Munnar, with Alleppey and Thekkady within reach, and quieter and cheaper now than at the December peak.
For a route that pairs the backwaters with the drying hills, our best of Kerala circuit through Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady and Alleppey fits November well, and the Alleppey backwater houseboat package focuses on the water on its own.
Travel tips for a Kerala trip in November
- Sightsee in the morning. Clear early hours give way to afternoon and evening showers through much of November, more in the south.
- Travel the north for dry weather. Wayanad, Bekal and Kannur settle earliest, while the south and the southern hills stay showery into the month.
- Watch the Sabarimala routes. From mid-November, pilgrim traffic thickens through Pathanamthitta, the Pamba and Nilackal base points and the Kottayam and Thekkady roads, so book trains and transfers early if your route crosses them.
- Book the second half ahead. Hotels and houseboats tighten as the December peak nears, so lock dates early if you travel late in the month.
- Carry rain cover and sun protection both. Bright mornings turn to afternoon spells fast, and the south stays the wettest.
- Check the hill ghat roads. Ponmudi and some Western Ghats climbs can stay wet and slippery in the retreating monsoon, so confirm they are open.
- Swim only at lifeguarded beaches. The sea calms after the monsoon but is not automatically safe, more so on showery days.
Thinking about a different month? Kerala in October is wetter, with the southwest monsoon only just withdrawn and the northeast rains setting in, while Kerala in December brings the dry winter peak, the highest rates and the start of the north Kerala Theyyam season. If you want the same dry comfort with fewer showers, Kerala in February is drier and warming. For the wider picture, see our best time to visit Kerala guide.
FAQs
Yes, for many travellers. November is shoulder season, drier than October and cheaper than December, with the northeast monsoon easing from north to south. The backwaters are full, the northern beaches and hills are at their best, and crowds are thinner than the winter peak. The south and southern hills still catch afternoon showers, so keep sightseeing for the mornings.
Warm and drying out. Coastal days run near 31°C to 33°C, warmest and driest in the north around Kozhikode and Bekal, while the south near Thiruvananthapuram stays wetter under the northeast monsoon. The hills are cooler, with Munnar near 22°C by day and cold clear nights late in the month. Showers come as short afternoon spells, not all-day rain.
Yes, but less than October and unevenly. The northeast monsoon brings short afternoon and evening showers that fade from north to south through the month. The southern coast around Thiruvananthapuram averages about 215 mm and the southern hills catch more, while the north is far drier, near 120 mm at Kozhikode and 85 mm at Bekal. Mornings are usually clear.
Often, but never assume it is safe. November follows the rough June to September monsoon, so the sea calms and swimming returns on patrolled beaches, warm near 28.5°C to 29°C. The northeast monsoon can still roughen the water on showery days, more in the south. Swim only where lifeguards are on duty and flags mark the zone, and check the conditions each day.
November is shoulder-priced, above the monsoon lows but below the December peak. Budget roughly Rs 3,200 to Rs 7,500 per person a day for a mid-range trip, twin-sharing and land-only, covering hotel, a car with driver, entry fees and meals but not flights. Houseboats on the Alleppey backwaters run about Rs 7,000 upward per boat per night. Rates climb through the month. Figures as of October 2026.
The backwaters and the north, mostly. Alleppey and Kumarakom are full after the monsoon and cheaper than December, Wayanad and the Bekal and Kannur coast dry out first, and Fort Kochi suits the clearing spells. Munnar cools toward winter but still catches early-month showers. The far south stays the wettest, so weight your route toward central and north Kerala.
It can, on certain routes. The Sabarimala pilgrimage season opens around 16 November, and pilgrims move in large numbers through Pathanamthitta district and the Pamba and Nilackal base points, with knock-on traffic on the Kottayam, Erumeli and Thekkady roads and on trains and buses into Kerala. A leisure trip is not affected directly, but book intercity transport early if your route crosses those districts.
Pack for warm days and afternoon showers. Light cotton for the coast, a compact umbrella or rain shell for the northeast-monsoon spells, and quick-drying footwear for wet roads and jetties. Add a thin layer for cool hill evenings in Munnar and Vagamon. Bring sun protection for the bright spells, insect repellent for the humid backwaters, and modest clothing for busy temples.
November works best as a backwater and northern trip, with the hills coming good late in the month and rates still below the December peak. Tell us your dates and whether you lean toward beaches, backwaters or the hills, and we will route around the drier north and the full backwaters, and around the Sabarimala traffic if your plan crosses it. Start with our Kerala tour packages.
