January
RiskySouthern summer — rainy season
- East coast & Sainte-Marie
- Very wet, cyclones. 26–28 °C.
- West coast & Nosy Be
- Hot, showers. ~30 °C.
- South & south-west
- Hot, isolated storms. 28–30 °C.
- Highlands (Tana)
- Stormy, 22 °C.
CyclonesPeak cyclone period (January to March). The east and north coasts are highly exposed.
Wildlife & flora
- Orchids — Flowering under way (peaks February-March). Andasibe, Ranomafana.
- Varecia lemurs — Births in December-January (4 to 5 month gestation).
What to do
- Best avoided overall — Tracks are impassable, especially towards the Tsingy and the east.
- Nosy Be & the north — Between showers, the climate is steadier than on the east coast.
- Southern tip — Drier, with pirogues and fishing villages.
Travel planner's adviceThe least favourable period. Favour the north-west (Nosy Be) if the dates are fixed; plan flexibly and take insurance that covers cyclone risk.
February
RiskySouthern summer — height of the rainy season
- East coast & Sainte-Marie
- The wettest month, cyclone risk. 26–28 °C.
- West coast & Nosy Be
- Hot and humid. ~30 °C.
- South & south-west
- Hot, some rain. 28–30 °C.
- Highlands (Tana)
- Stormy, 22 °C.
CyclonesCyclone risk at its highest. January and February are the heart of the season.
Wildlife & flora
- Orchids — Flowering peak. Angraecum sesquipedale (December to February), Andasibe, Mount Ibity.
- Botany — Botanical expeditions concentrate on these months.
What to do
- Wild orchids — The month's one real highlight, for botanists.
- For naturalists only — Difficult conditions, few classic circuits open.
Travel planner's adviceA month for botany enthusiasts only. Cyclone risk is at its maximum: flexibility and daily weather monitoring are essential.
March
MixedEnd of the rainy season
- East coast & Sainte-Marie
- Still wet. 25–27 °C.
- West coast & Nosy Be
- Rain easing off. ~29 °C.
- South & south-west
- Drying out. 27–29 °C.
- Highlands (Tana)
- Clearing up, 21 °C.
CyclonesLast month of the cyclone peak (the official season runs to 30 April).
Wildlife & flora
- Orchids — End of the flowering peak (February-March).
What to do
- Southern tip — Accessible and dry again.
- Transition — Landscapes still green and lush after the rains.
Travel planner's adviceA transition month: the south becomes viable again while the east stays uncertain. A good compromise between green landscapes and dry tracks, if you accept changeable weather.
April
IdealStart of the dry season
- East coast & Sainte-Marie
- Rain easing off. 25–27 °C.
- West coast & Nosy Be
- Dry and hot. 29–31 °C.
- South & south-west
- Dry, 27–29 °C.
- Highlands (Tana)
- Clearing, 19 °C.
CyclonesThe official cyclone season runs to 30 April, but the real risk is low this month.
Wildlife & flora
- Lemurs — Mating season begins (April to June) for several species.
What to do
- Combined circuits — Tracks are passable again and there are few visitors.
- Best value for money — Low-season rates with the landscape still green.
Travel planner's adviceAn excellent window: mild weather, low prices, few visitors. Ideal for a first north-south discovery circuit.
May
IdealDry season — cool
- East coast & Sainte-Marie
- Light rain. 24–26 °C.
- West coast & Nosy Be
- Sunny. 28–30 °C.
- South & south-west
- Dry, 25–27 °C.
- Highlands (Tana)
- Cool, 17 °C.
CyclonesOutside the cyclone season.
Wildlife & flora
- Baobabs — Flowering (May to August), hanging white flowers before the leaves.
- Lemurs — Mating season (April to June) — social behaviour on show.
What to do
- Hiking & parks — Andasibe, Ranomafana and Isalo are accessible and pleasant.
- Avenue of the Baobabs — Flowering trees and golden late-afternoon light.
Travel planner's adviceOne of the best months: a balance of weather, prices and crowds. Perfect for photography (baobabs, light).
June
IdealDry season — cool
- East coast & Sainte-Marie
- Sainte-Marie is wet (June to August). 24–26 °C.
- West coast & Nosy Be
- Dry and sunny. 28–30 °C.
- South & south-west
- Dry, 24–26 °C.
- Highlands (Tana)
- Cool, cold nights. 15 °C.
CyclonesOutside the cyclone season.
Wildlife & flora
- Humpback whales — First arrivals in late June at Sainte-Marie (peak July-August).
- Baobabs — Still flowering (May to August).
- Green turtles — Nesting (June to October) on Nosy Iranja.
What to do
- Whale watching — The season is starting: few people, low prices.
- Combined north-south circuits — Tracks are open and conditions are ideal.
Travel planner's adviceA prime window for whales without the July-August crowds. Pack a fleece for the highlands.
July
IdealHigh season — southern winter
- East coast & Sainte-Marie
- Sainte-Marie is wet. 23–25 °C.
- West coast & Nosy Be
- Dry, 27–29 °C.
- South & south-west
- Dry, 23–25 °C.
- Highlands (Tana)
- Cool, 15 °C, cold nights.
CyclonesOutside the cyclone season.
Wildlife & flora
- Humpback whales — Peak sightings (July-August): songs, breaches, displays.
- Green turtles — Nesting (June to October).
What to do
- Whale safari — Trips from Sainte-Marie (Ambodifotatra) are near-guaranteed.
- Lemurs — Andasibe and Ranomafana offer prime viewing.
Travel planner's adviceHigh season: book accommodation and flights well ahead. Combine whales (east) with parks (highlands, south).
August
IdealHigh season — whale peak
- East coast & Sainte-Marie
- Sainte-Marie is wet. 23–25 °C.
- West coast & Nosy Be
- Dry, 28–30 °C.
- South & south-west
- Dry, 24–26 °C.
- Highlands (Tana)
- Warming up, 17 °C.
CyclonesOutside the cyclone season.
Wildlife & flora
- Humpback whales — The summit: newborn calves visible, mother-and-calf pairs.
- Whales at Nosy Be — Arrivals in late July-August, staying until November.
- Green turtles — Nesting (June to October).
What to do
- Whale watching — Peak concentration at Sainte-Marie, over 95% success rate.
- Beaches & diving — Nosy Be, Mitsio, Radama — calm seas.
Travel planner's adviceThe flagship month for whales. Crowds are at their peak: pair it with the south (Isalo) for room to breathe.
September
IdealDry season — end of the whale season
- East coast & Sainte-Marie
- The driest month on the east coast. 24–26 °C.
- West coast & Nosy Be
- Dry, 29–31 °C.
- South & south-west
- Dry, 25–27 °C.
- Highlands (Tana)
- Pleasant, 19 °C.
CyclonesOutside the cyclone season.
Wildlife & flora
- Humpback whales — Last intense sightings in early September.
- Lemurs — Peak births (September-October) — infants riding on their mothers' bellies or backs.
What to do
- Wildlife combination — The best month to see both whales and active lemurs.
- Fewer visitors — High season is ending and prices soften.
Travel planner's adviceOften considered the best month overall: ideal weather everywhere, land and marine wildlife at their peak, crowds thinning.
October
IdealEnd of the dry season — heat
- East coast & Sainte-Marie
- Dry, 25–27 °C.
- West coast & Nosy Be
- Hot, 30–32 °C.
- South & south-west
- Hot and dry, 27–29 °C.
- Highlands (Tana)
- Warm, 21 °C.
CyclonesThe last month before the cyclone season, which starts on 1 November.
Wildlife & flora
- Lemurs — Births (September-October), with very active animals.
- Turtle hatching — Hatchlings at Nosy Iranja and Sakatia (October to February).
- Jacarandas — Flowering across the highlands (Tana, Antsirabe).
What to do
- Beaches & wildlife — The best sea-and-parks combination before the rains.
- Photography — Warm light, dry golden landscapes.
Travel planner's adviceThe last great dry window. Ideal for a trip combining beaches (Nosy Be) and parks (Isalo, Andasibe) before the wet season.
November
MixedStart of the rainy season
- East coast & Sainte-Marie
- Rain returning. 25–27 °C.
- West coast & Nosy Be
- First showers. 29–31 °C.
- South & south-west
- Hot, dry. 28–30 °C.
- Highlands (Tana)
- Storms, 22 °C.
CyclonesThe official cyclone season starts on 1 November.
Wildlife & flora
- Orchids — Start of the main flowering season (November to March).
- Hawksbill turtles — Nesting (October to February).
What to do
- Last beach month — Still fine on Nosy Be and in the south.
- Ecotourism — Green landscapes and active wildlife before December's heat.
Travel planner's adviceA pivot month, best scheduled early. The south stays excellent; the east and highlands become uncertain.
December
MixedRainy season — festive
- East coast & Sainte-Marie
- Wet, cyclone risk. 26–28 °C.
- West coast & Nosy Be
- Showers, ~30 °C.
- South & south-west
- Hot, some rain. 28–30 °C.
- Highlands (Tana)
- Stormy, 22 °C.
CyclonesActive cyclone season (peaking January to March). Risk rises towards the end of the month.
Wildlife & flora
- Orchids — Flowering (November to March), Angraecum sesquipedale (December to February).
- Varecia lemurs — Births (December-January).
- Turtles — Hawksbill nesting (October to February), plus hatchings.
What to do
- Year-end festivities — Great local atmosphere, but unpredictable weather.
- Nosy Be — A steadier climate than the east between showers.
Travel planner's adviceFestive but risky. Book the north-west (Nosy Be) rather than the east; stay flexible and watch the cyclone risk.