Ifaty, Madagascar: vitamin D, best months and travel guide
Dry south-west coast with a coral reef and spiny forest. Best for: snorkellers, nature lovers.
The best months for vitamin D in Ifaty are April to December, when a full dose takes about 6 minutes at midday. Rainy or stormy from January to March.
Ifaty month by month
| Month | Rating | Sun window | Peak UV | Full dose, age 30 | Afternoon high | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Bad weather | 8.9 h | 9.3 | 6 min | 33°C | 9/30 |
| February | Bad weather | 8.5 h | 9.0 | 6 min | 32°C | 14/30 |
| March | Bad weather | 7.3 h | 7.8 | 7 min | 32°C | 7/30 |
| April | Excellent | 7.3 h | 6.9 | 8 min | 32°C | 2/30 |
| May | Good | 6.7 h | 5.8 | 9 min | 30°C | 0/30 |
| June | Good | 6.1 h | 5.2 | 10 min | 29°C | 1/30 |
| July | Good | 6.4 h | 5.5 | 10 min | 27°C | 2/30 |
| August | Good | 7.1 h | 6.5 | 8 min | 29°C | 0/30 |
| September | Excellent | 8.1 h | 7.7 | 7 min | 31°C | 0/30 |
| October | Excellent | 8.6 h | 8.7 | 6 min | 31°C | 1/30 |
| November | Excellent | 9.1 h | 9.2 | 6 min | 32°C | 2/30 |
| December | Excellent | 9.5 h | 9.6 | 6 min | 33°C | 3/30 |
Sun window is the number of hours a day with UV Index 2.5 or higher. Full dose is the minutes at midday for about 1,000 IU of vitamin D with a quarter of the body bare, for skin type III. Rainy days are days with at least 1 mm out of 30.
What to expect in Ifaty
Dry south-west coast with a coral reef and spiny forest. A dry season from May to October, hot humid summers with cyclones on the east coast, and long, rough road journeys. Services are basic outside tourist islands.
In Ifaty afternoon highs average from 27°C in July to 33°C in December. The wettest month is February (about 14 rainy days out of 30) and the driest is September (0). Midday UV peaks at 9.6 in December, which is very strong, so protect your skin.
More about Madagascar · Madagascar in November · Best places in November
Questions about Ifaty
When is the best time to visit Ifaty for vitamin D?
The best months for vitamin D in Ifaty are April to December, when a full dose takes about 6 minutes at midday.
What is the weather like in Ifaty?
Afternoon highs average from 27°C in July to 33°C in December. The wettest month is February, with about 14 rainy days out of 30.
Which months should I avoid in Ifaty?
For a beach stay, avoid the months when it is rainy or stormy from January to March.