The Tamil Nadu coast has two distinct monsoon seasons, which affects when to visit. The northeast monsoon (October to December) brings rain and rough seas to Cuddalore and the entire Coromandel Coast — the Bay of Bengal can be stormy and Silver Beach is not at its best. The southwest monsoon (June-September) is less severe here than on the west coast.
The best time to visit is January to March and September to October, when the climate is pleasant, the sea is calm, and the light is clear. Pichavaram's mangroves can be visited year-round, but the boat trips are best in the morning regardless of season. April and May are very hot across Tamil Nadu, with temperatures regularly above 35°C.