Sunset Time in Madagascar Today

Madagascar, Madagascar

Forecast updated:

Cloud on the horizon does not move the astronomical sunset time — it can hide the sun a few minutes early, but it often produces the most dramatic colors.

Conditions can shift — arrive 30 minutes early for the best experience.

Pair with golden hour or moon visibility for complete planning.

Forecast accuracy is highest within the next 1–3 days.

Sunset & Daylight Patterns Specific to Madagascar

Madagascar sits at 18.9° S in the tropical zone. It is spring there now, and the sun currently spends 12.3 hours above the horizon each day.

Being in the southern hemisphere, Madagascar's longest days fall in December and shortest in June — the opposite of cities in North America or Europe. Solstice sunsets in December can be 13 hours after sunrise. Madagascar runs from 11 to 13.3 hours of daylight across the year, a 2.3-hour swing. Today's 12.3 hours set how much room you have to move plans around.

Golden hour in Madagascar lasts about 42 minutes today, with civil twilight adding a further 22 minutes of usable blue-hour light after sunset.

The most photogenic sunset conditions in Madagascar come in August, September, October, when the atmosphere is clearest and high-pressure systems push cloud layers away from the western horizon. Madagascar contains nearly every climate zone on Earth despite being one country — from Sahara-like desert in the south to Amazon-rivaling rainforest in the east, all on an island the size of France.

Civil twilight at Madagascar's latitude lasts approximately 22 minutes after the sun drops below the horizon — this is the "blue hour" window of soft, diffused light that photographers prize above all others. At 18.9°, this window is brief, making precise timing critical — the sky transitions from golden to dark in under half an hour.

City-specific facts for Madagascar

  • •Latitude: 18.9° S — longest days in December, shortest in June
  • •Summer daylight: ~13.3h | Winter daylight: ~11h — a 2.3-hour annual swing
  • •Civil twilight (blue hour) duration: ~22 minutes post-sunset
  • •Prime sunset colour months: August, September, October
  • •Hemisphere: southern — sunset moves southward in summer, altering composition angles significantly
  • •Local season right now: spring (southern hemisphere)
  • •Daylight today: 12.3 h — annual range 11–13.3 h
  • •Solar regime today: normal sunrise/sunset cycle

Sun & Moon Times in Madagascar

Sunset timing in Madagascar is driven by latitude and season. We apply atmospheric refraction corrections for accuracy within one minute. Golden hour begins roughly 60 minutes before sunset — the most valuable window for photography, outdoor dining, and evening walks.

Sunset in Madagascar shifts by several minutes each week. Summer evenings are longest, winter sunsets arrive earliest. Cloud cover near the horizon does not change the sunset time itself, though it can hide the sun a few minutes early and often produces the most dramatic color displays.

For the best sunset experience, arrive at your viewing spot 30 minutes before the listed time. Conditions can shift — check again on the day itself.

Sunrise & Sunset Guide for Madagascar in October

Madagascar's climate varies more than almost any country its size. The east coast is wet year-round (3,000+ mm annually), the central highlands cool and pleasant, and the southwest semi-desert. Cyclone season (January-March) can bring catastrophic storms. The dry season offers the most reliable wildlife viewing.

October is one of Madagascar's sunniest months, meaning longer days, later sunsets, and extended golden hour windows. With temperatures around 20-30°C, evenings are warm enough to enjoy outdoor dining, sunset walks, and photography sessions well past sunset. The clear skies typical of this period produce vivid sunset colors — especially oranges and deep reds — as the sun sets through minimal atmospheric moisture.

☀️ Daylight & Day Length

During October, Madagascar enjoys some of its longest days of the year. Sunrise comes early and sunset extends late into the evening, giving you maximum daylight for outdoor activities. The extended twilight after sunset — known as civil twilight — adds another 30-40 minutes of usable light for walks, outdoor dining, and casual photography.

📋 Planning Around Sunset

Plan your main outdoor activities for the morning (before 10 AM) or late afternoon (after 4 PM) when temperatures are most comfortable. The midday sun in Madagascar during October can be intense — use this time for indoor sightseeing, lunch, or rest. Evening activities are particularly rewarding as temperatures cool and the light becomes soft and warm.

Photography at Sunrise & Sunset

Clear summer skies in Madagascar create predictable, warm golden hour light. Arrive at your shooting location 45 minutes before sunset for the best light. The last 15 minutes before sunset produce the warmest, most directional light — ideal for portraits, architecture, and landscape shots. Stay for blue hour (20-30 minutes after sunset) for cool-toned cityscapes.

Seasonal Sun Patterns in Madagascar

☀️ Longest Days

August, September, October — these months bring the latest sunsets and longest daylight hours in Madagascar. Expect extended evenings perfect for outdoor dining, sunset walks, and golden hour photography. The warmest temperatures (20-30°C) coincide with the longest days.

🌙 Shortest Days

January, February, December — earlier sunsets and shorter daylight hours define this period in Madagascar. Temperatures drop to around 15-25°C. Plan outdoor activities around midday when the sun is highest. The dramatic low-angle light creates stunning photography opportunities despite the shorter window.

📍 Local Weather Insight

Madagascar contains nearly every climate zone on Earth despite being one country — from Sahara-like desert in the south to Amazon-rivaling rainforest in the east, all on an island the size of France.

Local Tips for Madagascar

Avoid January-March cyclone season for east coast travel

Highlands (Antananarivo) need a jacket year-round at night

September-October is the sweet spot: dry, lemur babies are born, jacarandas bloom

When Sunset Viewing Is Not Worth It in Madagascar

  • •Fully overcast skies — thick cloud cover blocks the sun entirely, producing a flat grey horizon with no color variation.
  • •Heavy rain or thunderstorms — unsafe conditions and zero visibility of the sun. Check the rain forecast for Madagascar.
  • •Dense smog or haze — obscures the horizon line and reduces color saturation, making sunset appear washed out.
  • •West-blocked viewpoints — buildings, mountains, or trees blocking the western horizon will cut off sunset 10–30 minutes early.

What Determines Sunset Time?

Sunset time in Madagascar is determined by the city's latitude, longitude, and the time of year. During summer, the Earth's axial tilt causes the sun to take a longer path across the sky, resulting in later sunsets. In winter, the opposite occurs — shorter days mean earlier sunsets. Near the equinoxes (March and September), sunset times change most rapidly, shifting by 2–3 minutes per day. At Madagascar's latitude, the difference between the earliest and latest sunset can be several hours across the year. Our daily calculations use precise astronomical data to give you the exact sunset time accurate to the minute.

Did you know? Sunset in Madagascar shifts by up to 3 minutes per day near the equinoxes — timing matters more than you think.

Planning to watch the sunset in Madagascar?

Local Astronomy Profile · Madagascar

Tropical latitude (18.9°) — sun passes nearly overhead twice a year.

18.8792° S, 47.5079° E🌐 southern hemisphereComputed from NOAA solar position formulas
Longest day
10 h 52 min

Latest possible sunset of the year (June solstice).

Shortest day
13 h 08 min

Earliest possible sunset of the year (December solstice).

Sunset shifts by
-0.4 min/day on average

Average daily sunset drift between the two solstices — peaks near the equinoxes.

Civil twilight extends
roughly 25–35 min after sunset

Civil twilight is the usable shooting window after the sun is gone.

Data: Open-Meteo

Frequently Asked Questions

What time is sunset in Madagascar today?

Today's sunset time for Madagascar is shown above and updates daily. Sunset times shift throughout the year based on Madagascar's latitude and the Earth's axial tilt. Summer sunsets are later, winter sunsets are earlier.

When is golden hour in Madagascar?

Golden hour in Madagascar begins approximately 1 hour before sunset and ends at sunset. The exact timing is displayed above. Morning golden hour starts at sunrise and lasts about 1 hour.

How long is the day in Madagascar?

Day length in Madagascar varies by season. Today's exact day length is shown above. At mid-latitudes, this ranges from about 8 hours in winter to 16+ hours in summer.

Is the moon visible tonight in Madagascar?

Moon visibility depends on the current phase and cloud cover. Tonight's moon phase and illumination percentage for Madagascar are shown above. A higher illumination percentage means a brighter, more visible moon.

Precipitation radar

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