Best Time to Visit Surat

October to January: the sweet spot

This is when Surat is at its best. Days are warm but not harsh, and December and January nights drop to a cool 15–17°C. You can walk the Rander old quarter or sit by the Tapi riverfront without feeling wrung out.

October still has some leftover rain, so expect a few wet afternoons and sticky air. By November it's dry and bright. Surat is a food city, so this is the time for the winter specialities. Try undhiyu, a spiced mixed-vegetable dish, and ponk, tender young jowar grains eaten at roadside stalls.

Navratri falls in the early autumn, usually September or October depending on the year. Nights fill with garba, the circle dance, in neighbourhoods and open grounds across the city. Diwali follows a few weeks later and brings lights, sweets and busy markets. Hotels fill up with Gujarati families visiting relatives, so book early for these weeks.

In January, Uttarayan (14 January) turns the sky into a patchwork of kites. Surat is famous for its kite string, so the rooftops are the place to be. Prices and crowds rise, but it's worth it.

February to May: hot and getting hotter

February is still fair, with warm days and pleasant evenings. After that it climbs fast. March is hot, and April is the peak at 41°C, with May close behind at 40°C. May is also the muggiest of the dry months, with nights that stay at 27°C.

These are the quietest months for leisure visitors. Business travel continues, since Surat is a major diamond-cutting and textile hub. If you're here for work, plan outdoor stops for the early morning or after dark. Days are best spent in air-conditioned malls and cafés. The beaches at Dumas and Suvali are more pleasant at sunset than at midday.

June to September: the monsoon

Rain arrives in June and doesn't let up. July is the wettest month by far, with rain on 27 days and barely two hours of sun a day. August and September are only a little drier. Humidity sits close to 90%.

Surat sits on a river near the coast, and heavy rain can flood low-lying areas. The city has had serious floods in past monsoons, so keep plans flexible. Beach trips aren't a good idea, as the sea is rough and the sand is wet.

Still, the countryside turns green, and the air is cooler than in spring. If you don't mind damp shoes and the odd cancelled plan, you'll have the city almost to yourself. Ganesh Chaturthi, usually in late August or September, brings big processions to the riverfront and sea.