Dakar in October

In October, Dakar averages 31°C (87°F) during the day and 26°C (79°F) at night, with around 5 days of rain (16 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are warm and beach-friendly. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

October in Dakar is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).

31°C
Avg high
26°C
Avg low
5
Rain days
16 mm
Rainfall

How October compares to the rest of the year in Dakar

1st
warmest month of the 12
4th
wettest month of the 12
5%
of yearly rainfall falls in October
11 h 49 min
daylight on the 15th

October is one of the warmest months in Dakar (1st of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (4th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 3°C above the annual average (28°C). October runs 1°C warmer than September (29°C) and stays flat into November.

October sunrise & sunset in Dakar

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
7:01 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
6:50 PM
Day length
11 h 49 min

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

Photography light in Dakar — October

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
6:01 AM – 6:41 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:41 AM – 7:41 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
6:10 PM – 7:10 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
7:10 PM – 7:50 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Poor
Core barely rises (or hasn't yet returned for the season). Consider a different month.

📅 When to book — Dakar 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 Dakar'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 Dakar

Shoulder

Dakar 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.

Why this tier: comfortable tourism weather

Sun & mosquito risk — October in Dakar

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
11.5
Extreme
Stay indoors during midday hours; SPF 50+ even briefly outside, UPF clothing, wide-brim hat, sunglasses essential.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●●○
High
Peak mosquito activity. DEET 30%+, long sleeves at dawn/dusk, sleep under nets if rural. Check current dengue/malaria advisories for the destination.

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.

Dakar in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 27°C / 80°F 20°C / 68°F 2 mm 0
February 26°C / 79°F 19°C / 66°F 1 mm 1
March 25°C / 78°F 19°C / 66°F 0 mm 0
April 25°C / 77°F 20°C / 67°F 0 mm 0
May 26°C / 78°F 21°C / 69°F 1 mm 0
June 28°C / 82°F 23°C / 74°F 3 mm 2
July 29°C / 84°F 25°C / 77°F 36 mm 11
August 29°C / 84°F 26°C / 78°F 143 mm 22
September 29°C / 85°F 26°C / 78°F 106 mm 17
October 31°C / 87°F 26°C / 79°F 16 mm 5
November 30°C / 86°F 24°C / 76°F 1 mm 1
December 29°C / 84°F 22°C / 71°F 0 mm 0

Other cities with similar October weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Dakar in October?

In October, Dakar averages a high of 31°C (87°F) and a low of 26°C (79°F) — generally hot.

Does it rain a lot in Dakar in October?

October sees occasional rain in Dakar, with about 5 rainy days on average.

Is October a good time to visit Dakar?

October is hot and mostly dry. It suits travelers who are comfortable with hot weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Dakar in October?

Pack lightweight, breathable clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen. See the full October packing list for Dakar for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Dakar on the interactive map

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