AI-generatedMassawa at a glance
- Best time
- Feb – May, Oct – Dec
- Warmest month
- Jul · 40°
- Warmest sea
- Sep · 32.5°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,630 h
- Rain a year
- 372 mm
- Climate
- Tropical
- Time zone
- UTC+3
- Elevation
- 9 m
Climate in Massawa
Massawa has a tropical climate: it is warm all year round, and the seasons differ mainly in how much rain falls. July is the warmest month with average highs of 40 °C, while January is the coolest at 28 °C. With around 2,630 hours of sunshine a year, Massawa is sunny; May is the sunniest month with 8.9 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit Massawa
The best time to visit Massawa is from February to May and from October to December. For a beach holiday – sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry – go from March to December. From April to October it can get very hot, with highs of up to 40 °C. The wettest month is January with 105 mm of precipitation.
Massawa through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Massawa in the dry season
All year except Jan
Good
- 28–40 °C by day
- Sea 30 °C
- 7.4 h of sun a day
- 51 rainy days in all
Massawa in the rainy season
Jan
Good
- 28 °C by day
- Sea 27 °C
- 5.2 h of sun a day
- 16 rainy days in all
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
Mar – Dec
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
No month
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Peak heat
Apr – Oct
Highs of 33 °C or more
Rainy months
Jan
Rainy season or more than 12 rainy days
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Massawa for you.
Your best months: February – March, December
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Weather in October
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Good
Best time to visit: February – May, October – December
Where to go in OctoberSea temperature in October
Good forBeach & swimming
Keep in mindPeak heat
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 30°
- Midday, 13:00: about 35°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 34°
- Evening, 20:00: about 31°
- Night, 23:00: about 30°
06:1318:02
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 06:00–06:42 · evening 17:33–18:15
- Blue hour
- Morning 05:52–06:00 · evening 18:15–18:24
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 Massawa compared with home
Loading the climate at home …
Early or late October?
In October, daytime highs fall from about 36° at the start of the month to 33° at the end. The sea cools from 32° to 31°. The days get 0.4 h shorter.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 36° | 33° |
| Night-time low | 28° | 26° |
| Sea | 32° | 31° |
| Daylight | 12.0 h | 11.6 h |
What is the weather like in Massawa in October?
In October, Massawa is very hot: daytime highs average 35 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 28 °C. The sea averages 32.0 °C – almost as warm as a bath. The sun shines for around 8.1 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 5 days bring 19 mm in total. The thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more every day. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Massawa.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 11 h 48 min06:13 – 18:02
- UV index
- 10 · very highclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 31 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 14 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 22 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 31 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Time zone
- UTC+3offset from UTC
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 35 %43 %
- Seaweight 25 %100 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %85 %
- Few rainy daysweight 20 %96 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Sun, sea & sand”.
What to pack in October
- Swimwear
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses & sun hat
- Light, breathable clothes
- Water bottle – drink plenty
- Insect repellent
Compare two months in Massawa
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
March has the better holiday weather in Massawa: score 86 against 76. In March, days are 5 °C cooler than in October. The sea is 5 °C cooler in March. March has 3 more rainy days. The sun shines 2 hours less a day in March.
| Month | October | March |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 76 | 86better |
| Daytime high | 35° | 30° |
| Night-time low | 28° | 24° |
| Sea | 32.0° | 27.2° |
| Sunshine | 8.1 hbetter | 6.5 h |
| Rainy days | 5better | 8 |
| Rainfall | 19 mmbetter | 33 mm |
| Muggy days | 31 | 26better |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Massawa month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
70January28° · Sea 27° · 5.2 h
In January, Massawa is hot: daytime highs average 28 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 22 °C. The sea averages 27.2 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. Expect around 5.2 hours of sunshine a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 16 days, totalling 105 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, January is a good month for a holiday in Massawa.
Massawa in January76February28° · Sea 27° · 5.3 h
In February, Massawa is hot: daytime highs average 28 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 22 °C. The sea averages 26.7 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. Expect around 5.3 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 61 mm in total. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, February is a good month for a holiday in Massawa.
Massawa in February86March30° · Sea 27° · 6.5 h
In March, Massawa is hot: daytime highs average 30 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 27.2 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 6.5 hours a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 33 mm. On about 16 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, March is an excellent month for a holiday in Massawa.
Massawa in March84April34° · Sea 29° · 8.0 h
In April, Massawa is very hot: daytime highs average 34 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 26 °C. The sea averages 28.7 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 8.0 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 4 days bring 16 mm in total. On about 29 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, April is an excellent month for a holiday in Massawa.
Massawa in April72May37° · Sea 31° · 8.9 h
In May, Massawa is very hot: daytime highs average 37 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 28 °C. The sea averages 30.5 °C – almost as warm as a bath. The sun shines for around 8.9 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 Massawa.
Massawa in May62June38° · Sea 31° · 8.0 h
In June, Massawa is very hot: daytime highs average 38 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 28 °C. The sea averages 30.8 °C – almost as warm as a bath. The sun shines for around 8.0 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, June is a good month for a holiday in Massawa.
Massawa in June58July40° · Sea 32° · 7.0 h
In July, Massawa is very hot: daytime highs average 40 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 30 °C. The sea averages 31.9 °C – almost as warm as a bath. The sun shines for around 7.0 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, July is a so-so month for a holiday in Massawa.
Massawa in July59August39° · Sea 32° · 7.1 h
In August, Massawa is very hot: daytime highs average 39 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 30 °C. The sea averages 32.3 °C – almost as warm as a bath. The sun shines for around 7.1 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, August is a so-so month for a holiday in Massawa.
Massawa in August63September38° · Sea 33° · 8.1 h
In September, Massawa is very hot: daytime highs average 38 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 29 °C. The sea averages 32.5 °C – almost as warm as a bath. The sun shines for around 8.1 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, September is a good month for a holiday in Massawa.
Massawa in September76October35° · Sea 32° · 8.1 h
In October, Massawa is very hot: daytime highs average 35 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 28 °C. The sea averages 32.0 °C – almost as warm as a bath. The sun shines for around 8.1 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 5 days bring 19 mm in total. The thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more every day. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Massawa.
Massawa in October85November32° · Sea 30° · 7.6 h
In November, Massawa is hot: daytime highs average 32 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 25 °C. The sea averages 30.1 °C – almost as warm as a bath. The sun shines for around 7.6 hours a day. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 46 mm. On about 26 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, November is an excellent month for a holiday in Massawa.
Massawa in November81December29° · Sea 28° · 6.5 h
In December, Massawa is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 28.4 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 6.5 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 74 mm in total. On about 11 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, December is an excellent month for a holiday in Massawa.
Massawa in DecemberClimate in detail
Year & climate table
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Massawa
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Warm 20–24°
- Hot 24° and more
- muggy month (15+ muggy days)
HotOctober: nights around 28°. Hot nights: air conditioning makes sleeping much easier. Muggy on about 31 days (dew point 18 °C or more).
The coolest nights are in January (22°), the warmest in August (30°). Nights stay tropical all year (20 °C and more), so a room with air conditioning or at least a fan pays off. It is muggy (dew point 18 °C or more) all year, on about 348 days a year.
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 | 70 | 28° | 22° | 27.2° | 5.2 h | 16 | 105 |
| FebruaryFeb | 76 | 28° | 22° | 26.7° | 5.3 h | 12 | 61 |
| MarchMar | 86 | 30° | 24° | 27.2° | 6.5 h | 8 | 33 |
| AprilApr | 84 | 34° | 26° | 28.7° | 8.0 h | 4 | 16 |
| MayMay | 72 | 37° | 28° | 30.5° | 8.9 h | 1 | 4 |
| JuneJun | 62 | 38° | 28° | 30.8° | 8.0 h | 0 | 1 |
| JulyJul | 58 | 40° | 30° | 31.9° | 7.0 h | 1 | 4 |
| AugustAug | 59 | 39° | 30° | 32.3° | 7.1 h | 1 | 9 |
| SeptemberSep | 63 | 38° | 29° | 32.5° | 8.1 h | 0 | 1 |
| OctoberOct | 76 | 35° | 28° | 32.0° | 8.1 h | 5 | 19 |
| NovemberNov | 85 | 32° | 25° | 30.1° | 7.6 h | 7 | 46 |
| DecemberDec | 81 | 29° | 23° | 28.4° | 6.5 h | 12 | 74 |
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
15.61° N, 39.47° E · 9 m · Africa/Asmara
Sea temperature
Sea temperature in Massawa
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 31.4 – 32.5 °C
Swimming season: all year
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Massawa ranges from 26.7 °C in February to 32.5 °C in September. At 20 °C and more, the sea is warm enough for swimming all year round.
The sea warms up slowly: it is warmest in September, while the air already peaks in July. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in September, eight out of ten years were between 32.0 and 33.0 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 27.2° | 26.6° | 27.8° | warm |
| FebruaryFeb | 26.7° | 26.2° | 27.3° | warm |
| MarchMar | 27.2° | 26.4° | 27.8° | warm |
| AprilApr | 28.7° | 28.1° | 29.3° | warm |
| MayMay | 30.5° | 30.1° | 30.9° | very warm |
| JuneJun | 30.8° | 30.2° | 31.4° | very warm |
| JulyJul | 31.9° | 31.2° | 32.5° | very warm |
| AugustAug | 32.3° | 31.8° | 32.9° | very warm |
| SeptemberSep | 32.5° | 32.0° | 33.0° | very warm |
| OctoberOct | 32.0° | 31.4° | 32.5° | very warm |
| NovemberNov | 30.1° | 29.4° | 30.7° | very warm |
| DecemberDec | 28.4° | 27.8° | 29.0° | warm |
Sunshine
Sunshine hours in Massawa
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 8.1 of 11.8 hours of daylight in Massawa, 69 % 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.
Rain
Rain in Massawa: 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, Massawa has about 5 rainy days with 19 mm of rain in total.
UV index
UV index in Massawa
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 10 · very highStay in the shade around midday; SPF 50, clothing, hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in August (UV 13).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 15 min
- Fair skin
- about 15 min
- Light brown skin
- about 20 min
- Olive skin
- about 30 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 & clouds
Wind and clouds in Massawa
How breezy and how cloudy Massawa 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 Massawa typically peaks at 14 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 22 % of the sky over Massawa: mostly sunny, with about 8.1 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 & humidity
Heat and humidity in Massawa
How often the day gets hot in Massawa (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 Massawa every day, with an average daytime high of 35 °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 Massawa
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Massawa 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.
Massawa has its best school-holiday weather during the Easter holidays (score 85) and its weakest during the summer holidays (score 59).
- 85
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
ExcellentBest holidays
- 33 °C by day
- Sea 28 °C
- 7.6 h of sun a day
- 5 rainy days a month
Good for: Beach & swimming
Keep in mind: Peak heat
- 70
May half-term
May – Jun
Good
- 37 °C by day
- Sea 31 °C
- 8.7 h of sun a day
- 1 rainy day a month
Good for: Beach & swimming
Keep in mind: Peak heat
- 59
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
Fair
- 39 °C by day
- Sea 32 °C
- 7.1 h of sun a day
- 1 rainy day a month
Good for: Beach & swimming
Keep in mind: Peak heat
- 76
October half-term
Oct
Good
- 35 °C by day
- Sea 32 °C
- 8.1 h of sun a day
- 5 rainy days a month
Good for: Beach & swimming
Keep in mind: Peak heat
- 76
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Good
- 28 °C by day
- Sea 28 °C
- 5.9 h of sun a day
- 14 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 6 h 55 min
- Distance
- 5,330 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: Eritrea
- Currency
- Eritrean Nakfa (ERN)
- Languages
- Afar, Arabic, Tigrinya
- Sockets
- Type C, L · 230 V
- Traffic
- Drives on the right
- Dialling code
- +291
UK plugs need a travel adapter
Sources: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0). Please check details before you travel.
Compare & alternatives
Compare with another place
Massawa compared
Put Massawa side by side with another destination.
Massawa vs Asmara
In October the holiday weather in Massawa and Asmara is about equally good (score 76 vs 72). During the day Asmara is 12 °C cooler than Massawa. Asmara gets one hour less sunshine a day.
| in October | Massawa | Asmara |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 76 | 72 |
| Daytime high | 35° | 23° |
| Sea | 32° | no sea nearby |
| Sunshine | 8 h | 7 h |
| Rainy days | 5 | 5 |
| Best time | Feb – May, Oct – Dec | Oct – Jun |
Through the year
Best places in the country
Eritrea in October: the best places
In October, Massawa ranks 2 of 3 destinations in this country.
All destinations: EritreaPlaces nearby
Near Massawa
Other destinations close by.
Places with a similar climate
Places with a climate like Massawa
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Massawa's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about Massawa
When is the best time to visit Massawa?
The best time to visit Massawa is from February to May and from October to December. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Massawa?
The sea temperature in Massawa ranges from 26.7 °C in February to 32.5 °C in September. At 20 °C and more, the sea is warm enough for swimming all year round.
Can you swim in Massawa in October?
Yes. In October the sea averages 32.0 °C – almost as warm as a bath.
What is the warmest month in Massawa?
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 40 °C and nights around 30 °C. January is the coolest month at 28 °C.
When does it rain most in Massawa?
The wettest month is January with 105 mm of precipitation. The driest month is June with 1 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Massawa get?
Massawa gets around 2,630 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is May with 8.9 hours a day; in January there are 5.2 hours a day.
What time zone is Massawa in?
Massawa is on UTC+3 all year.
How long is the flight from London to Massawa?
A nonstop flight from London to Massawa takes about 6 h 55 min, for a straight-line distance of about 5,330 km.
Which school holidays are best for Massawa?
Massawa has its best school-holiday weather during the Easter holidays (score 85) and its weakest during the summer holidays (score 59). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 85, May half-term 70, summer holidays 59, October half-term 76, Christmas holidays 76.