The Best Time to visit Mozambique
It’s winter in Mozambique from May to November when temperatures drop just a bit and rain stops falling. Summer is the hot rainy season and everyone revels in short, intense downpours between the hot sunny spells. There is no real best time to travel to Mozambique because every season offers something unique from diving and fishing to wildlife viewing and beach fun. Find the best time to visit Mozambique and Mozambique weather here. Weather information and all you need to know about rainy, windy, or hot months for your holiday to Mozambique.
The summer season lasts from December to April and tourists should note that January and February are cyclone season in southern Mozambique. This is when huge storms akin to hurricanes ush in from the ocean and hit the mainland with force bringing torrents of rain. It’s a good time to avoid the Bazaruto Archipelago and choose an inland safari at Gorongosa National Park or a lake holiday at Niassa.
Deciding when it’s the best time to go to Mozambique could mean tailoring your visit based on your favourite activities. Game viewing, for example, is best during the dry months of August and September. This is when the bush thins out, and it’s easier to find wildlife concentrated around rivers and waterholes.
Month-by-month Travel Guide to Mozambique Weather
- January – February: The beginning of the rainy season with occasional cyclones affecting the coast, particularly in the south so it is best not to visit during this month.
- March: Rains ease, especially on the coast. The second half of the month sees an increase in tourists to boutique lodges in the Bazaruto Archipelago. Pleasant temperatures range from 28-32°C (82-90°F).
- April: Post-summer rains offer clear, sunny days, lush green scenery, and excellent snorkelling and diving possibilities. Temperatures remain hot at 28-32°C (82-90°F). It’s a good time in general to dive in Mozambique, from April to June and September to November.
- May: The best time for beach holidays, with day temperatures around 28°C (82°F), clear skies, and light winds. Perfect for exploring World Heritage Sites like Ibo Island in the Quirimbas Archipelago and stunning island lodges in the Bazaruto Archipelago.
- June: The best time to view wildlife in the north when the spectacular and remote Niassa Game Reserve opens, with warm and sunny weather. The beginning of the humpback whale migration (June to November) offers plenty of whale-watching opportunities on the extensive mainland beaches.
- July: Winter in Mozambique, the dry season, offers clear, warm, and sunny days. Pleasant for sightseeing in places like Ibo or the vibrant capital, Maputo. Windy days may be experienced on northern beaches and it’s a good chance to dance the night away in the city or visit Maputo National Park instead.
- August – September: Clear, sunny months ideal for sightseeing, game viewing, or relaxing on white sandy beaches. The best months for snorkelling, diving, and watching the humpback whale migration. Wildlife safaris reveal miraculous animal births and better game viewing as animals gather around waterholes in Niassa and Gorongosa.
- October: Optimal for game viewing as it marks the end of the dry season. Coastal weather is sunny, dry, and hot.
- November: Turtles come ashore to nest (November to March). Five turtle species nest along Mozambique’s coast during this period. The country has protected these nesting sites for decades. The best places to see turtles nesting include Ponta do Ouro, Ponta Mamoli, and the Bazaruto Archipelago.
- December: Hotels fill up well in advance due to the busy Christmas season. South Africans flock across the border on self-drive holidays to lakes and beaches. Safaris are not as popular now as the rainy season approaches, but coastal weather typically starts with a few thunderstorms while remaining hot and sunny.
When is the best Time for Diving in Mozambique
Divers looking for the best time to explore Mozambique’s warm Indian Ocean reefs and bays will find that every season has its treasures and every month of the year offers different diving delights.
The best time to visit Mozambique for scuba diving and snorkelling in Mozambique extends from May to September, coinciding with favourable weather and ocean conditions. Humpback whales gracefully migrate along the coast from July to November, while turtles emerge from the waves to lay their eggs on the beaches from November to April during the green season. The best time for swimming with whale sharks off Tofo beach is this same season so tourists can combine their diving dreams with spa retreats, eco-lodge relaxation, city fun in Maputo, safari holidays at Maputo National Park, and island hopping tours in the Bazaruto Archipelago.
The best places to dive in Mozambique:
- Ponta do Ouro: Dive here in the south all year round, with the warmest waters from November to March. See whales and whale sharks from July to January, sharks from September to April, and dolphins, turtles, and rays throughout the year. Enjoy depths up to 45m, visibility around 30m, suitable for divers of all experience levels. Swimming with dolphins is highly popular!
- Inhaca Island: the best time to dive here is all year, the best whale watching time being September and October while whale sharks come from November to April. Depths range from 18m to 30m, with visibility varying from 10m to 30m. Inhaca Island lies within the Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve.
- Tofo: Year-round marine mammal sightings with whale sharks and manta rays at their best from October to March. Tofo’s charm, with its healthy corals and consistent marine wildlife, attracts global and local divers alike. Swimming with whale sharks, the world’s largest fish species is a popular activity during these months.
- Bazaruto Archipelago: the best time to go is all year round but Humpback whale watching is best from June to September while whale sharks are prevalent from October to early December. Diving sites range from depths of 5m to 22m, with visibility up to 40m. The six islands in this region are rich in megafauna, especially the protected Bazaruto and Benguerra, including rare and endangered species like dugongs, octopuses, and crocodile fish.
Despite Mozambique’s extensive marine expanse of 571,493 km², only a modest 2.32% is designated as protected areas, underscoring the need for continued conservation efforts in this aquatic paradise.
Best Time for fishing in Mozambique
Deep-sea fishing ventures along the Mozambican coastline promise exceptional experiences, with notable hotspots including the Bazaruto Archipelago, Inhaca, Nacala, Pemba, Ponto do Ouro, the Quirimbas Islands, and Xai Xai. The Bazaruto Archipelago stands out globally as one of the premier destinations for black marlin fishing adventures.
Fishing in Mozambique is a year-round opportunity and sport. Fishermen and women can indulge their passion every season, with consistent catches of Tuna and King Fish. Surf and night fishing bring success in all seasons. Big game fishing, including Marlin, Sail Fish, and Wahoo, has dedicated seasons.
- Black Marlin: The best time to fish for black marlin is during the height of summer, from October to the end of January. Blue and striped marlin make their appearances from September to January, while the main sailfish season unfolds from June to September.
- Whale Sharks: Between December and February, anglers may encounter one of the archipelago’s most captivating creatures – the rare whale shark. As the largest shark and fish globally, these majestic beings can reach lengths of up to 14 meters and weigh up to 15 tons.
- Kingfish: September emerges as the best month for kingfish, coinciding with the end of the sailing and general fishing season.
Mozambique’s waters teem with a remarkable variety of local fish, from Great Trevally, Rainbow Runner, and Wahoo to King Mackerel, Dogtooth Tuna, Grouper, Humphead Wrasse, Blue Marlin, Cobia, Barracuda, Bigeye Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna, Dorado, Sailfish, Swordfish, Shark, and more.
The best time of year to visit Mozambique is when you choose to travel to Africa. Whether it is a diving holiday, a fishing safari, or an opportunity to whale watch and swim with the dolphins, Mozambique has its seasons for everything. Find the best time to visit Mozambique. Weather information and all you need to know about rainy, windy, or hot months for your special holiday package.
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