Madagascar
Best Time to Visit Andoany
Andoany, on Nosy Be, has a tropical monsoon climate with a distinct wet and dry season. The best time to visit balances clear skies, calm seas, and manageable visitor numbers.
✦ Go in May or June for the best balance of good weather and fair prices.
✅ Best months
May and June are ideal: the rains have ended, humidity drops, and seas are calm for diving. September also offers dry weather before the November rain build-up, with fewer tourists than July–August.
🔥 Peak season
July and August: European summer holidays pack beaches and hotels; prices can jump 30–50%. Whale shark sightings peak, and the Donia Music Festival (late May/June) extends demand into June.
💷 Shoulder (best value)
April and November. April sees diminishing rain and greener landscapes; November is hot and increasingly humid but flights and hotels drop. Both offer reasonable discounts.
🌙 Quietest & cheapest
December to March is the wet season. Cyclones are a real risk (especially Jan–Feb), roads flood, and some boat trips cancel. Hotels are cheapest, but up to 40% of properties may close for maintenance.
Andoany season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Weather: Rains taper off in April; May is dry, 24–30°C, high UV
Crowds: Low to medium
Good for budget travel, whale sharks from April.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Weather: Cooler and dry, 22–28°C, strong southeast trade winds
Crowds: High
Busy with tourists; book well ahead. Best visibility for diving.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Weather: Warm and dry Sep–Oct; November sees rising humidity and sporadic showers, 26–32°C
Crowds: Medium (Sep–Oct), then low (Nov)
Good for hiking Lokobe Reserve and lemur watching. Nov is quiet.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Weather: Hot and wet, 28–35°C with high humidity; cyclones possible Jan–Feb
Crowds: Low
Cheapest time, but outdoor activities are limited. Expect power cuts.
🎭 Events worth timing a trip around
The Donia Festival (late May–early June) brings live Malagasy music and dance to Hell-Ville. Whale shark season runs late April to September, especially around Nosy Be and Nosy Tanikely.
🧳 What to pack
Pack a lightweight long-sleeved rash guard for swimming: it protects against sun and the abundant jellyfish in summer.
Found your dates? Get your hotel briefing.
Room tips, the 14-day forecast for your exact stay, dining, transport and more — free for any Andoany hotel.
Researched & reviewed by the TripSage editorial team · Updated July 2026.