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Mozambique

Quelimane weather & best time to visit

City break

Quelimane at a glance

Best time
May – Oct
Warmest month
Nov · 32°
Warmest sea
Feb · 29.2°
Sunshine a year
2,700 h
Rain a year
1,006 mm
Climate
Tropical
Time zone
UTC+2
Elevation
9 m

Climate in Quelimane

Quelimane has a tropical climate: it is warm all year round, and the seasons differ mainly in how much rain falls. November is the warmest month with average highs of 32 °C, while July is the coolest at 27 °C. With around 2,700 hours of sunshine a year, Quelimane is sunny; November is the sunniest month with 8.7 hours a day.

Holiday weather through the year

Best time to visit

Best time to visit Quelimane

The best time to visit Quelimane is from May to October. For a beach holiday – sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry – go from May to November. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from June to July. The rainy season is from December to March; the wettest month is January with 244 mm.

Quelimane through the seasons

How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.

Quelimane in the dry season

Apr – Nov

72

Good

  • 27–32 °C by day
  • Sea 26 °C
  • 7.5 h of sun a day
  • 60 rainy days in all

Quelimane in the rainy season

Dec – Mar

37

Poor

  • 31–32 °C by day
  • Sea 29 °C
  • 7.3 h of sun a day
  • 78 rainy days in all

Which month for what?

Beach & swimming

May – Nov

Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry

Sightseeing & hiking

Jun – Jul

15–28 °C and not too much rain

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 Quelimane for you.

Swimming in the sea
Sunshine
Little rain

Your best months: June – August

Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.

Your holiday weather, at a glance

Weather in October

Weather in October

69

Holiday weather in October

Good

Best time to visit: May – October

Good forBeach & swimming

A typical day in October

  1. Morning, 08:00: about 27°
  2. Midday, 13:00: about 31°
  3. Afternoon, 16:00: about 30°
  4. Evening, 20:00: about 26°
  5. Night, 23:00: about 24°

05:0417:32

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 04:50–05:33 · evening 17:03–17:46
Blue hour
Morning 04:42–04:50 · evening 17:46–17:54

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 Quelimane compared with home

Home:

Loading the climate at home …

Early or late October?

In October, daytime highs rise from about 31° at the start of the month to 32° at the end. The sea warms from 25° to 26°. The days get 0.5 h longer.

Early or late October?
October1 Oct31 Oct
Daytime high31°32°
Night-time low22°23°
Sea25°26°
Daylight12.2 h12.7 h

What is the weather like in Quelimane in October?

In October, Quelimane is hot: daytime highs average 31 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 22 °C. The sea averages 25.9 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 8.6 hours a day. Rain falls on about 5 days, adding up to 21 mm. On about 21 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Quelimane.

More details for October

Daylight
12 h 28 min05:04 – 17:32
UV index
12 · extremeclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
Muggy days
26 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
Wind
23 km/haverage daily peakAll months
Cloud cover
29 %on averageAll months
Hot days
21 days30 °C or moreAll months
Time zone
UTC+2offset from UTC

How the score comes together

  • Temperatureweight 50 %46 %
  • Sunshineweight 20 %93 %
  • Few rainy daysweight 30 %90 %

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 Quelimane

Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.

vs

July has the better holiday weather in Quelimane: score 84 against 69. In July, days are 4 °C cooler than in October. The sea is 2 °C cooler in July. July has 3 more rainy days. The sun shines 2 hours less a day in July.

October vs July, Quelimane
MonthOctoberJuly
Holiday weather score6984better
Daytime high31°27°
Night-time low22°18°
Sea25.9°24.3°
Sunshine8.6 hbetter6.5 h
Rainy days5better8
Rainfall21 mm28 mm
Muggy days269better

Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.

Quelimane month by month

The typical weather for every month at a glance.

36January31° · Sea 29° · 7.0 h

In January, Quelimane is hot: daytime highs average 31 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 25 °C. The sea averages 28.8 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 7.0 hours a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 23 days, totalling 244 mm. On about 24 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 Quelimane.

Quelimane in January
37February31° · Sea 29° · 7.0 h

In February, Quelimane is hot: daytime highs average 31 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 25 °C. The sea averages 29.2 °C – almost as warm as a bath. The sun shines for around 7.0 hours a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 19 days, totalling 168 mm. On about 22 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 Quelimane.

Quelimane in February
39March31° · Sea 29° · 6.9 h

In March, Quelimane is hot: daytime highs average 31 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 29.0 °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 19 days, totalling 184 mm. On about 23 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 Quelimane.

Quelimane in March
51April30° · Sea 28° · 6.7 h

In April, Quelimane is hot: daytime highs average 30 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 28.2 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 6.7 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 82 mm. On about 15 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, April is a so-so month for a holiday in Quelimane.

Quelimane in April
74May29° · Sea 27° · 7.1 h

In May, Quelimane is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 21 °C. The sea averages 26.7 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 7.1 hours a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 37 mm. On about 5 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, May is a good month for a holiday in Quelimane.

Quelimane in May
80June27° · Sea 25° · 6.7 h

In June, Quelimane is hot: daytime highs average 27 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. The sea averages 25.2 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 6.7 hours a day. Rain falls on about 9 days, adding up to 30 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, June is an excellent month for a holiday in Quelimane.

Quelimane in June
84July27° · Sea 24° · 6.5 h

In July, Quelimane is hot: daytime highs average 27 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. The sea averages 24.3 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 6.5 hours a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 28 mm. All in all, July is an excellent month for a holiday in Quelimane.

Quelimane in July
84August28° · Sea 24° · 7.3 h

In August, Quelimane is hot: daytime highs average 28 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. The sea averages 24.3 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 7.3 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 5 days bring 16 mm in total. On about 6 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, August is an excellent month for a holiday in Quelimane.

Quelimane in August
76September30° · Sea 25° · 8.2 h

In September, Quelimane is hot: daytime highs average 30 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 21 °C. The sea averages 24.9 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 8.2 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 4 days bring 14 mm in total. On about 16 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, September is a good month for a holiday in Quelimane.

Quelimane in September
69October31° · Sea 26° · 8.6 h

In October, Quelimane is hot: daytime highs average 31 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 22 °C. The sea averages 25.9 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 8.6 hours a day. Rain falls on about 5 days, adding up to 21 mm. On about 21 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Quelimane.

Quelimane in October
57November32° · Sea 27° · 8.7 h

In November, Quelimane is hot: daytime highs average 32 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 27.0 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 8.7 hours a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 50 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 a so-so month for a holiday in Quelimane.

Quelimane in November
37December32° · Sea 28° · 8.1 h

In December, Quelimane is hot: daytime highs average 32 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 25 °C. The sea averages 28.1 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 8.1 hours a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 17 days, totalling 133 mm. On about 26 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 Quelimane.

Quelimane in December

Climate in detail

Year & climate table

Climate through the year

Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.

Best time to visit

Nights and sleep in Quelimane

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 22°. Tropical nights: a fan or air conditioning helps. Muggy on about 26 days (dew point 18 °C or more).

The coolest nights are in July (18°), the warmest in January (25°). Tropical nights of 20 °C and more are the rule from September to May; then air conditioning or a fan helps you sleep. Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) from June to August. It is muggy (dew point 18 °C or more) on about 290 days a year, mostly all year round except in July.

Temperatures through the year

Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.

OctoberDay 31°Night 22°Sea 26°
DayNightSea
MonthScoreDayNightSeaSunRain daysRain mm
JanuaryJan3631°25°28.8°7.0 h23244
FebruaryFeb3731°25°29.2°7.0 h19168
MarchMar3931°24°29.0°6.9 h19184
AprilApr5130°23°28.2°6.7 h1582
MayMay7429°21°26.7°7.1 h837
JuneJun8027°19°25.2°6.7 h930
JulyJul8427°18°24.3°6.5 h828
AugustAug8428°19°24.3°7.3 h516
SeptemberSep7630°21°24.9°8.2 h414
OctoberOct6931°22°25.9°8.6 h521
NovemberNov5732°24°27.0°8.7 h850
DecemberDec3732°25°28.1°8.1 h17133

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

17.88° S, 36.89° E · 9 m · Africa/Maputo

Sea temperature
Swimming calendar

Sea temperature in Quelimane

Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.

Sea in October25.9°Cpleasant

8 in 10 years: 25.6 – 26.2 °C

Swimming season: all year

  • cold
  • fresh
  • refreshing
  • pleasant
  • warm
  • very warm
OctoberMean sea temperature 25.9°8 in 10 years 25.6° – 26.2°
20°
Mean sea temperature8 in 10 years20 °C – comfortable for swimming

The sea temperature in Quelimane ranges from 24.3 °C in July to 29.2 °C in February. At 20 °C and more, the sea is warm enough for swimming all year round.

The sea warms up slowly: it is warmest in February, while the air already peaks in November. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in February, eight out of ten years were between 28.4 and 29.9 °C.

Sea temperature by month
MonthAverageCool yearWarm yearFeels
JanuaryJan28.8°28.2°29.6°warm
FebruaryFeb29.2°28.4°29.9°very warm
MarchMar29.0°28.4°29.6°very warm
AprilApr28.2°27.6°28.9°warm
MayMay26.7°26.1°27.2°warm
JuneJun25.2°24.7°25.7°pleasant
JulyJul24.3°24.0°24.6°pleasant
AugustAug24.3°23.7°24.8°pleasant
SeptemberSep24.9°24.3°25.5°pleasant
OctoberOct25.9°25.6°26.2°pleasant
NovemberNov27.0°26.4°27.7°warm
DecemberDec28.1°27.6°28.6°warm
Sunshine
Sunshine

Sunshine hours in Quelimane

Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.

Per year
2,700 hours
Sunniest month
Nov · 8.7 h a day
Least sunshine
Jul · 6.5 h a day
OctoberSunshine 8.6 hDaylight 12.5 hShare of daylight 69 %
SunshineDaylight

In October, the sun shines for about 8.6 of 12.5 hours of daylight in Quelimane, 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

Rain in Quelimane: 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.

Per year
1,006 mm on 138 days
Wettest month
Jan · 244 mm
Driest month
Sep · 14 mm
OctoberRainy days 5Rainfall 21 mm

In October, Quelimane has about 5 rainy days with 21 mm of rain in total.

UV index
Sun protection

UV index in Quelimane

How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.

Clear-sky UV in October
12 · 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 & clouds
Wind & clouds

Wind and clouds in Quelimane

How breezy and how cloudy Quelimane 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.

Year average
19 km/h · gentle breeze
Windiest month
Oct · 23 km/h
Calmest month
Jun · 16 km/h
OctoberWind 23 km/hBeaufort 4
20
WindBeaufort 4

In October, the wind in Quelimane typically peaks at 23 km/h during the day: Beaufort 4, moderate breeze.

Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting

From Beaufort 4 (20 km/h) the daily breeze is usually enough for windsurfing and often for kiting: Aug – Dec.

Clouds

Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.

Year average
42 % · mostly sunny
Clearest month
Sep · 24 %
Cloudiest month
Jan · 69 %
OctoberCloud cover 29 %Sunshine 8.6 h

In October, cloud covers on average 29 % of the sky over Quelimane: mostly sunny, with about 8.6 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 & humidity

Heat and humidity in Quelimane

How often the day gets hot in Quelimane (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.

Hot days a year
189 days
Hottest month
Nov · 32 °C
Hot months
Sep – Apr

Heat calendar

  • pleasant
  • some hot or muggy days
  • often muggy
  • often hot
  • hot and muggy
OctoberHot days (30 °C+) 21Daytime high 31 °C

In October, Quelimane has about 21 hot days, with an average daytime high of 31 °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 Quelimane

Weather for your travel dates

Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.

Quelimane 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.

Quelimane has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 84) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 37).

  • Easter holidays

    Mar – Apr

    47

    Fair

    • 30 °C by day
    • Sea 28 °C
    • 6.8 h of sun a day
    • 16 rainy days a month

    Keep in mind: Frequent rain, Storm season

  • May half-term

    May – Jun

    75

    Good

    • 29 °C by day
    • Sea 26 °C
    • 7.0 h of sun a day
    • 8 rainy days a month

    Good for: Beach & swimming

  • Summer holidays

    Jul – Aug

    84

    ExcellentBest holidays

    • 28 °C by day
    • Sea 24 °C
    • 7.0 h of sun a day
    • 6 rainy days a month

    Good for: Beach & swimming

  • October half-term

    Oct

    69

    Good

    • 31 °C by day
    • Sea 26 °C
    • 8.6 h of sun a day
    • 5 rainy days a month

    Good for: Beach & swimming

  • Christmas holidays

    Dec – Jan

    37

    Poor

    • 32 °C by day
    • Sea 28 °C
    • 7.6 h of sun a day
    • 20 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 10 h 45 min
Distance
8,520 km
Time zone
UTC+2
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: Mozambique

Currency
Mozambican Metical (MZN)
Language
Portuguese
Sockets
Type C, F, M · 220 V
Traffic
Drives on the left
Dialling code
+258

UK plugs need a travel adapter

Sources: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0). Please check details before you travel.

Storm season

Quelimane 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.

  1. January: Peak
  2. February: Peak
  3. March: Peak
  4. April: Season
  5. May
  6. June
  7. July
  8. August
  9. September
  10. October
  11. November: Season
  12. December: Season

Official season dates of the regional warning centres (NOAA, JMA, IMD, Météo-France, BoM, Fiji Meteorological Service); not a forecast.

Compare & alternatives

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Quelimane compared

Put Quelimane side by side with another destination.

Nearby:
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Quelimane vs Beira

In October Quelimane has the better holiday weather (score 69 vs 62). During the day Beira is 1 °C warmer than Quelimane. The sea is about equally warm. Beira gets one hour less sunshine a day.

Quelimane vs Beira, in October
in OctoberQuelimaneBeira
Holiday weather score6962
Daytime high31°32°
Sea26°26°
Sunshine9 h8 h
Rainy days57
Best timeMay – OctMay – Aug

Through the year

OctoberQuelimane 31°Beira 32°
QuelimaneBeira
Go to Beira
Best places in the country
Ranking

Mozambique in October: the best places

In October, Quelimane ranks 3 of 7 destinations in this country.

  1. Island of Mozambique31°27°100
  2. 2Inhambane27°25°95
  3. 3QuelimaneThis page31°26°69
  4. 4Maputo29°23°69
  5. 5Pemba31°27°68
  6. 6Beira32°26°62
  7. 7Nampula33°57
All destinations: Mozambique
Places nearby

Near Quelimane

Other destinations close by.

Places with a similar climate

Places with a climate like Quelimane

Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Quelimane's – good alternatives.

  1. 87 % similar96CairnsAustralia30°26°Best time: May – Nov
  2. 83 % similar99CooktownAustralia30°26°Best time: May – Nov
  3. 83 % similar98Port DouglasAustralia31°26°Best time: May – Nov
  4. 83 % similar62BeiraMozambique32°26°Best time: May – Aug

Frequently asked questions about Quelimane

When is the best time to visit Quelimane?

The best time to visit Quelimane is from May to October. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.

How warm is the sea in Quelimane?

The sea temperature in Quelimane ranges from 24.3 °C in July to 29.2 °C in February. At 20 °C and more, the sea is warm enough for swimming all year round.

Can you swim in Quelimane in October?

Yes. In October the sea averages 25.9 °C – pleasant for swimming.

What is the warmest month in Quelimane?

November is the warmest month, with average highs of 32 °C and nights around 24 °C. July is the coolest month at 27 °C.

When does it rain most in Quelimane?

The rainy season is from December to March; the wettest month is January with 244 mm. The driest month is September with 14 mm.

How many hours of sunshine does Quelimane get?

Quelimane gets around 2,700 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is November with 8.7 hours a day; in July there are 6.5 hours a day.

What time zone is Quelimane in?

Quelimane is on UTC+2 all year.

How long is the flight from London to Quelimane?

A nonstop flight from London to Quelimane takes about 10 h 45 min, for a straight-line distance of about 8,520 km.

When is cyclone season in Quelimane?

Quelimane 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 Quelimane?

Quelimane has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 84) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 37). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 47, May half-term 75, summer holidays 84, October half-term 69, Christmas holidays 37.