Mnemba has a tropical climate and very bright sunshine. Cyclical weather patterns are very much a part of the east coast and this is how the ancient Arabs were able to navigate this part of the world so successfully during the slave trade years.

Rainfall: Ruled by the movements of the Indian Ocean monsoons, the seasons of Mnemba change with the winds. The north-east Monsoons blow from November through December and again from February and March. Starting in June, the south-west Monsoons blow until September/October. The rainy season falls between the two monsoon seasons, in mid March, with a short spell in November. The lodge closes during the heavy monsoon rains between April and June.

Temperature: Being a tropical island, it can be humid. The sea breezes that wash over the island bring cooler air and relief from the hot, damp weather. Temperatures do not fluctuate much - the average daytime temperatures are in the region of 26°C/79°F from June to October and about 28°C/82°F from December to February. The minimum temperature in this tropical climate is 18°C/64°F with a maximum as high as 40°C/104°F. The average water temperature during July to March is from 20°C/68°F to 23°C/73°F.

The best months to visit Mnemba are from July to March. The island is closed from 1st April to 6th June (inclusive) due to the monsoons. The best time for big game fishing is mid January to mid March, and for fly fishing and bone fishing, mid July to mid October. There are good sand flats throughout the year. Turtles nest on the island from January to the end of March, with hatchlings arriving 60 days after eggs are laid.