AI-generatedMahajanga at a glance
- Best time
- May – Sep
- Warmest month
- Apr · 34°
- Warmest sea
- Mar · 29.7°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,900 h
- Rain a year
- 1,373 mm
- Climate
- Tropical
- Time zone
- UTC+3
- Elevation
- 20 m
Climate in Mahajanga
Mahajanga has a tropical climate: it is warm all year round, and the seasons differ mainly in how much rain falls. April is the warmest month with average highs of 34 °C, while July is the coolest at 31 °C. With around 2,900 hours of sunshine a year, Mahajanga is sunny; October is the sunniest month with 9.5 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit Mahajanga
The best time to visit Mahajanga is from May to September. For a beach holiday – sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry – go from April to October. In April and from October to November it can get very hot, with highs of up to 34 °C. The rainy season is from December to March; the wettest month is January with 442 mm.
Mahajanga through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Mahajanga in the dry season
Apr – Nov
Fair
- 31–34 °C by day
- Sea 27 °C
- 8.9 h of sun a day
- 32 rainy days in all
Mahajanga in the rainy season
Dec – Mar
Poor
- 32–33 °C by day
- Sea 30 °C
- 6.1 h of sun a day
- 99 rainy days in all
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
Apr – Oct
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
No month
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Peak heat
Apr, Oct – Nov
Highs of 33 °C or more
Rainy months
Dec – Mar
Rainy season or more than 12 rainy days
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Mahajanga for you.
Your best months: June – August
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Weather in October
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Fair
Best time to visit: May – September
Where to go in OctoberSea temperature in October
Good forBeach & swimming
Keep in mindPeak heat
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 28°
- Midday, 13:00: about 33°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 32°
- Evening, 20:00: about 27°
- Night, 23:00: about 25°
05:2817:53
Warm enough for a T-shirt in the evening.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 05:14–05:56 · evening 17:24–18:06
- Blue hour
- Morning 05:06–05:14 · evening 18:06–18:15
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
October in Mahajanga compared with home
Loading the climate at home …
Early or late October?
In October, daytime highs stay at about 33° from start to end. The sea warms from 27° to 28°. The days get 0.4 h longer.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 33° | 33° |
| Night-time low | 22° | 24° |
| Sea | 27° | 28° |
| Daylight | 12.2 h | 12.6 h |
What is the weather like in Mahajanga in October?
In October, Mahajanga is very hot: daytime highs average 34 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 27.3 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. With around 9.5 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain falls on about 5 days, adding up to 19 mm. The thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more every day. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in Mahajanga.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 12 h 26 min05:28 – 17:53
- UV index
- 13 · extremeclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 16 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 19 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 24 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 31 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Time zone
- UTC+3offset from UTC
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 50 %19 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %100 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %92 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “City break”.
What to pack in October
- Swimwear
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses & sun hat
- Light, breathable clothes
- Water bottle – drink plenty
- Insect repellent
Compare two months in Mahajanga
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
July has the better holiday weather in Mahajanga: score 71 against 57. In July, days are 3 °C cooler than in October. The sea is 2 °C cooler in July. July has 5 fewer rainy days. The sun shines an hour less a day in July.
| Month | October | July |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 57 | 71better |
| Daytime high | 34° | 31° |
| Night-time low | 23° | 19° |
| Sea | 27.3° | 25.6° |
| Sunshine | 9.5 hbetter | 8.5 h |
| Rainy days | 5 | 0better |
| Rainfall | 19 mm | 1 mmbetter |
| Muggy days | 16 | 1better |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Mahajanga month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
28January32° · Sea 30° · 5.0 h
In January, Mahajanga is hot: daytime highs average 32 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 25 °C. The sea averages 29.5 °C – almost as warm as a bath. Expect around 5.0 hours of sunshine a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 28 days, totalling 442 mm. On about 25 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Mahajanga.
Mahajanga in January29February32° · Sea 30° · 5.4 h
In February, Mahajanga is hot: daytime highs average 32 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 25 °C. The sea averages 29.5 °C – almost as warm as a bath. Expect around 5.4 hours of sunshine a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 25 days, totalling 313 mm. On about 24 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Mahajanga.
Mahajanga in February27March33° · Sea 30° · 7.1 h
In March, Mahajanga is hot: daytime highs average 33 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 25 °C. The sea averages 29.7 °C – almost as warm as a bath. The sun shines for around 7.1 hours a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 22 days, totalling 210 mm. On about 30 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Mahajanga.
Mahajanga in March47April34° · Sea 30° · 8.6 h
In April, Mahajanga is very hot: daytime highs average 34 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 29.6 °C – almost as warm as a bath. The sun shines for around 8.6 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 44 mm in total. The thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more every day. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, April is a so-so month for a holiday in Mahajanga.
Mahajanga in April62May33° · Sea 28° · 8.8 h
In May, Mahajanga is hot: daytime highs average 33 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 22 °C. The sea averages 28.4 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 8.8 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. The thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more every day. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, May is a good month for a holiday in Mahajanga.
Mahajanga in May69June32° · Sea 27° · 8.6 h
In June, Mahajanga is hot: daytime highs average 32 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 20 °C. The sea averages 26.8 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 8.6 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. On about 29 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, June is a good month for a holiday in Mahajanga.
Mahajanga in June71July31° · Sea 26° · 8.5 h
In July, Mahajanga is hot: daytime highs average 31 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. The sea averages 25.6 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 8.5 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. On about 30 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, July is a good month for a holiday in Mahajanga.
Mahajanga in July67August32° · Sea 26° · 8.8 h
In August, Mahajanga is hot: daytime highs average 32 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. The sea averages 25.5 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 8.8 hours a day. It hardly ever rains. On about 30 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, August is a good month for a holiday in Mahajanga.
Mahajanga in August63September33° · Sea 26° · 9.3 h
In September, Mahajanga is hot: daytime highs average 33 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 21 °C. The sea averages 26.0 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. With around 9.3 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. It hardly ever rains. The thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more every day. All in all, September is a good month for a holiday in Mahajanga.
Mahajanga in September57October34° · Sea 27° · 9.5 h
In October, Mahajanga is very hot: daytime highs average 34 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 27.3 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. With around 9.5 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain falls on about 5 days, adding up to 19 mm. The thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more every day. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in Mahajanga.
Mahajanga in October34November33° · Sea 29° · 8.7 h
In November, Mahajanga is very hot: daytime highs average 33 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 28.7 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 8.7 hours a day. It rains often – on about 16 days, adding up to 100 mm. On about 29 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Mahajanga.
Mahajanga in November29December33° · Sea 29° · 6.9 h
In December, Mahajanga is hot: daytime highs average 33 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 25 °C. The sea averages 29.4 °C – almost as warm as a bath. The sun shines for around 6.9 hours a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 25 days, totalling 232 mm. On about 28 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Mahajanga.
Mahajanga in DecemberClimate in detail
Year & climate tableWarmest in April: 34°
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Mahajanga
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Pleasant 15–20°
- Warm 20–24°
- Hot 24° and more
- muggy month (15+ muggy days)
WarmOctober: nights around 23°. Tropical nights: a fan or air conditioning helps. Muggy on about 16 days (dew point 18 °C or more).
The coolest nights are in July (19°), the warmest in December (25°). Tropical nights of 20 °C and more are the rule from September to June; then air conditioning or a fan helps you sleep. Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) from July to August. It is muggy (dew point 18 °C or more) on about 224 days a year, mostly from October to May.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sea | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 28 | 32° | 25° | 29.5° | 5.0 h | 28 | 442 |
| FebruaryFeb | 29 | 32° | 25° | 29.5° | 5.4 h | 25 | 313 |
| MarchMar | 27 | 33° | 25° | 29.7° | 7.1 h | 22 | 210 |
| AprilApr | 47 | 34° | 24° | 29.6° | 8.6 h | 9 | 44 |
| MayMay | 62 | 33° | 22° | 28.4° | 8.8 h | 1 | 8 |
| JuneJun | 69 | 32° | 20° | 26.8° | 8.6 h | 0 | 1 |
| JulyJul | 71 | 31° | 19° | 25.6° | 8.5 h | 0 | 1 |
| AugustAug | 67 | 32° | 19° | 25.5° | 8.8 h | 0 | 1 |
| SeptemberSep | 63 | 33° | 21° | 26.0° | 9.3 h | 1 | 2 |
| OctoberOct | 57 | 34° | 23° | 27.3° | 9.5 h | 5 | 19 |
| NovemberNov | 34 | 33° | 24° | 28.7° | 8.7 h | 16 | 100 |
| DecemberDec | 29 | 33° | 25° | 29.4° | 6.9 h | 25 | 232 |
Climate averages 1996–2025 (sunshine partly WMO station normals 1991–2020), not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
15.72° S, 46.32° E · 20 m · Indian/Antananarivo
Sea temperatureUp to 30° in March
Sea temperature in Mahajanga
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 26.7 – 27.8 °C
Swimming season: all year
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Mahajanga ranges from 25.5 °C in August to 29.7 °C in March. At 20 °C and more, the sea is warm enough for swimming all year round.
The sea temperature varies from year to year: in March, eight out of ten years were between 29.2 and 30.2 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 29.5° | 28.9° | 29.9° | very warm |
| FebruaryFeb | 29.5° | 28.8° | 30.0° | very warm |
| MarchMar | 29.7° | 29.2° | 30.2° | very warm |
| AprilApr | 29.6° | 29.2° | 30.1° | very warm |
| MayMay | 28.4° | 28.1° | 28.8° | warm |
| JuneJun | 26.8° | 26.2° | 27.2° | warm |
| JulyJul | 25.6° | 25.3° | 26.0° | pleasant |
| AugustAug | 25.5° | 25.2° | 25.9° | pleasant |
| SeptemberSep | 26.0° | 25.7° | 26.4° | warm |
| OctoberOct | 27.3° | 26.7° | 27.8° | warm |
| NovemberNov | 28.7° | 28.1° | 29.1° | warm |
| DecemberDec | 29.4° | 28.9° | 30.0° | very warm |
Sunshine2,900 hours a year
Sunshine hours in Mahajanga
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 9.5 of 12.4 hours of daylight in Mahajanga, 77 % of the daylight hours.
Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
Rain1,373 mm a year, most in January
Rain in Mahajanga: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Mahajanga has about 5 rainy days with 19 mm of rain in total.
UV indexUp to 13 in November
UV index in Mahajanga
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 13 · extremeAvoid the midday sun; SPF 50+, covering clothes, hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in November (UV 13).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 10 min
- Fair skin
- about 15 min
- Light brown skin
- about 20 min
- Olive skin
- about 25 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen the time, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Wind & cloudsWindiest in September: 19 km/h
Wind and clouds in Mahajanga
How breezy and how cloudy Mahajanga is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Mahajanga typically peaks at 19 km/h during the day: Beaufort 3, gentle breeze.
Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting
The daily breeze rarely reaches Beaufort 4 (20 km/h), so wind sports depend on single windy days.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 24 % of the sky over Mahajanga: mostly sunny, with about 9.5 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Heat & humidity345 days of 30° or more a year
Heat and humidity in Mahajanga
How often the day gets hot in Mahajanga (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.
Heat calendar
- pleasant
- some hot or muggy days
- often muggy
- often hot
- hot and muggy
In October, it is hot in Mahajanga every day, with an average daytime high of 34 °C: hot and muggy. Plan outdoor activities for the morning and evening, drink a lot and take breaks in the cool.
Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year
Planning a trip to Mahajanga
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Mahajanga in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Mahajanga has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 68) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 29).
- 41
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Fair
- 33 °C by day
- Sea 30 °C
- 8.1 h of sun a day
- 13 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Peak heat, Frequent rain, Storm season
- 63
May half-term
May – Jun
Good
- 33 °C by day
- Sea 28 °C
- 8.8 h of sun a day
- 1 rainy day a month
Good for: Beach & swimming
- 68
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
GoodBest holidays
- 32 °C by day
- Sea 26 °C
- 8.7 h of sun a day
- 0 rainy days a month
Good for: Beach & swimming
- 57
October half-term
Oct
Fair
- 34 °C by day
- Sea 27 °C
- 9.5 h of sun a day
- 5 rainy days a month
Good for: Beach & swimming
Keep in mind: Peak heat
- 29
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- 32 °C by day
- Sea 29 °C
- 6.0 h of sun a day
- 26 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain, Storm season
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 11 h
- Distance
- 8,730 km
- Time zone
- UTC+3
- Jet lag
- Hardly any (under 3 h)
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Good to know: Madagascar
- Currency
- Malagasy Ariary (MGA)
- Languages
- French, Malagasy
- Sockets
- Type C, D, E, J, K · 127 V
- Traffic
- Drives on the right
- Dialling code
- +261
UK plugs need a travel adapter
Only 127 V: chargers marked 100–240 V work, other devices need a voltage converter.
Sources: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0). Please check details before you travel.
Storm season
Mahajanga lies in an area that cyclones from the south-western Indian Ocean can reach. The cyclone season runs from November to April, with most storms from January to March. A direct hit on any one place is rare, but if you travel then, keep an eye on weather warnings and book flexibly.
- January: Peak
- February: Peak
- March: Peak
- April: Season
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November: Season
- December: Season
Official season dates of the regional warning centres (NOAA, JMA, IMD, Météo-France, BoM, Fiji Meteorological Service); not a forecast.
Compare & alternatives
Compare with another place
Mahajanga compared
Put Mahajanga side by side with another destination.
Mahajanga vs Mamoudzou
In October Mamoudzou has the better holiday weather (score 89 vs 57). During the day Mamoudzou is 6 °C cooler than Mahajanga. The sea is about equally warm. Mamoudzou gets one hour less sunshine a day.
| in October | Mahajanga | Mamoudzou |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 57 | 89 |
| Daytime high | 34° | 28° |
| Sea | 27° | 27° |
| Sunshine | 10 h | 9 h |
| Rainy days | 5 | 6 |
| Best time | May – Sep | Jun – Oct |
Through the year
Best places in the country
Madagascar in October: the best places
In October, Mahajanga ranks 6 of 6 destinations in this country.
- Antsiranana32°25°96
- 2Antananarivo26°91
- 3Antsirabe27°86
- 4Toliara31°26°76
- 5Toamasina28°25°62
- 6MahajangaThis page34°27°57
Places nearby4 places within 468 km
Near Mahajanga
Other destinations close by.
Places with a similar climatee.g. Kupang and Darwin
Places with a climate like Mahajanga
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Mahajanga's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about Mahajanga
When is the best time to visit Mahajanga?
The best time to visit Mahajanga is from May to September. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Mahajanga?
The sea temperature in Mahajanga ranges from 25.5 °C in August to 29.7 °C in March. At 20 °C and more, the sea is warm enough for swimming all year round.
Can you swim in Mahajanga in October?
Yes. In October the sea averages 27.3 °C – lovely and warm for swimming.
What is the warmest month in Mahajanga?
April is the warmest month, with average highs of 34 °C and nights around 24 °C. July is the coolest month at 31 °C.
When does it rain most in Mahajanga?
The rainy season is from December to March; the wettest month is January with 442 mm. The driest month is June with 1 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Mahajanga get?
Mahajanga gets around 2,900 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is October with 9.5 hours a day; in January there are 5.0 hours a day.
What time zone is Mahajanga in?
Mahajanga is on UTC+3 all year.
How long is the flight from London to Mahajanga?
A nonstop flight from London to Mahajanga takes about 11 h, for a straight-line distance of about 8,730 km.
When is cyclone season in Mahajanga?
Mahajanga lies in an area that cyclones from the south-western Indian Ocean can reach. The cyclone season runs from November to April, with most storms from January to March. A direct hit on any one place is rare, but if you travel then, keep an eye on weather warnings and book flexibly.
Which school holidays are best for Mahajanga?
Mahajanga has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 68) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 29). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 41, May half-term 63, summer holidays 68, October half-term 57, Christmas holidays 29.