Cotonou in October

In October, Cotonou averages 28°C (83°F) during the day and 25°C (77°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 31 days of the month see precipitation (147 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are warm and beach-friendly. Expect daily rain or showers, often in heavy bursts.

October offers comfortable temperatures in Cotonou, with some rain to plan around.

28°C
Avg high
25°C
Avg low
31
Rain days
147 mm
Rainfall

How October compares to the rest of the year in Cotonou

8th
warmest month of the 12
1st
wettest month of the 12
12%
of yearly rainfall falls in October
11 h 59 min
daylight on the 15th

October is in the middle of the year for warmth in Cotonou (8th of 12) and one of the wettest months (1st of 12). Daytime temperature runs 1°C below the annual average (29°C). October runs 1°C warmer than September (27°C) and warms a further 1°C into November (29°C).

October sunrise & sunset in Cotonou

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:36 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
6:35 PM
Day length
11 h 59 min

Times shown for Cotonou local time (Africa/Porto-Novo), calculated for the 15th of October. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Cotonou — October

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of October, in Cotonou's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:36 AM – 6:16 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:16 AM – 7:16 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
5:55 PM – 6:55 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
6:55 PM – 7:35 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Poor
Core barely rises (or hasn't yet returned for the season). Consider a different month.

📅 When to book — Cotonou in October

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on October's tier (Shoulder) and Cotonou's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.

Crowds & pricing — October in Cotonou

Shoulder

Cotonou is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Sun & mosquito risk — October in Cotonou

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
12.3
Extreme
Stay indoors during midday hours; SPF 50+ even briefly outside, UPF clothing, wide-brim hat, sunglasses essential.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●●●
Severe
Severe mosquito season with active disease transmission risk. DEET 30%+, picaridin 20%, long sleeves day and night, treated nets, and check CDC/WHO travel advisories before going.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Cotonou in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 30°C / 86°F 25°C / 77°F 23 mm 16
February 30°C / 87°F 26°C / 79°F 31 mm 21
March 30°C / 86°F 27°C / 80°F 73 mm 25
April 30°C / 86°F 27°C / 80°F 71 mm 25
May 29°C / 85°F 26°C / 79°F 165 mm 30
June 28°C / 82°F 25°C / 77°F 236 mm 29
July 27°C / 80°F 25°C / 76°F 114 mm 29
August 26°C / 80°F 24°C / 75°F 94 mm 27
September 27°C / 81°F 25°C / 76°F 141 mm 30
October 28°C / 83°F 25°C / 77°F 147 mm 31
November 29°C / 85°F 26°C / 79°F 69 mm 28
December 30°C / 86°F 25°C / 78°F 21 mm 16

Other cities with similar October weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Cotonou in October →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Cotonou in October?

In October, Cotonou averages a high of 28°C (83°F) and a low of 25°C (77°F) — generally warm.

Does it rain a lot in Cotonou in October?

October is quite rainy in Cotonou, with about 31 rainy days on average.

Is October a good time to visit Cotonou?

October is warm but on the rainy side. It suits travelers who are comfortable with warm weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Cotonou in October?

Pack lightweight, breathable clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full October packing list for Cotonou for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Cotonou on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.