Free cookie consent management tool by TermsFeed Free Privacy Policy Generator List of cruise ships in Cotonou - up-to-date port information and excursion tips for cruise ship fans.

Cotonou
in Benin

Home Ports Benin Cotonou
Benin

Cotonou

Cotonou is the economic capital of Benin and the largest city in the country. Located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, it is the largest port in West Africa and serves as Benin’s main port of entry. The city is one of the most populous in the region, with an estimated population of 1.2 million.

Cotonou is situated on the south-east coast of the Gulf of Guinea, and is connected to the Benin interior by the N’Dali-Cotonou highway. It is an important commercial hub and is home to a diverse range of industries, including fishing, timber, and manufacturing. The city is also known for its vibrant nightlife, with many bars, restaurants, and nightclubs located along the waterfront.

Cotonou has a long and varied history, dating back to the 15th century when it was a major trading center for the Yoruba people. In the 19th century, the city served as a base for French colonialists, who established the city as the capital of French Dahomey. During this period, Cotonou was also a major port for the slave trade.

Since independence in 1960, Cotonou has seen a period of rapid growth and development, and is now a modern, cosmopolitan city. It is home to numerous universities, museums, and cultural institutions, and is a popular tourist destination. With its beautiful beaches and lively nightlife, Cotonou is a vibrant and exciting city that offers something for everyone.

Excursion tips for a day in Cotonou

As a tourist in Cotonou, Benin, there are plenty of exciting activities to experience in just one day. Here are some of the best things to do in the city:

1. Take a tour of the Cotonou Cathedral, the largest church in the city.
2. Explore the Dantokpa Market, the biggest market in West Africa.
3. Visit the National Museum of Benin to learn about the country's history and culture.
4. Relax on the beach and take in the stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.
5. Enjoy a traditional Beninese meal at one of the city's many restaurants.
6. Take a scenic boat ride along the Ouémé River.
7. Shop for souvenirs and local handicrafts at the Artisanal Village.
8. Spend the evening at one of the city's lively bars and clubs.

 

to business owners in Cotonou

Experience Cotonou with unforgettable activities by our partner GetYourGuide. The offer is also ideal as a special gift idea for family and friends who are planning to visit Cotonou. Cancellations are possible up to 24h before the start of the activity (unless otherwise stated in the activity description), with a full refund of the booking price.

The climate in Cotonou

Cotonou in Benin has a tropical climate with two distinct seasons. In the wet season from April to July, temperatures are hot and humid, with daily rainfall and occasional thunderstorms. The dry season from August to March is milder, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius and less rain. Humidity is high throughout the year, with an average of around 80%. In short, Cotonou has a hot and humid climate, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius and high humidity throughout the year.

Cruise weather for Cotonou

Our weather forecast for Cotonou helps plan your stay according to the weather. For sunny days, pack light and breathable clothes, swimwear, and sunscreen. For winter weather, it's recommended to bring warm clothes, gloves, a hat, sturdy footwear, and a raincoat.

Date Icon Temperature Wind speed/gusts Cloudiness/Visibility Air humidity/pressure Sunrise/Sunset
Apr. 26th 2024 Apr. 26th 2024 max: 30.0 °C
min: 28.6 °C 		32.0 m/s
34.2 m/s		 80.8 %
22.9 m		 84.3 %
1,008 hPa		 06:38:31
18:57:58
Apr. 27th 2024 Apr. 27th 2024 max: 29.4 °C
min: 28.6 °C 		27.7 m/s
31.0 m/s		 39.8 %
24.1 m		 83.8 %
1,007 hPa		 06:38:13
18:57:58
Apr. 28th 2024 Apr. 28th 2024 max: 29.4 °C
min: 28.7 °C 		35.3 m/s
41.4 m/s		 55.0 %
24.1 m		 85.2 %
1,008 hPa		 06:37:55
18:57:59
Apr. 29th 2024 Apr. 29th 2024 max: 29.0 °C
min: 28.7 °C 		27.0 m/s
30.6 m/s		 97.0 %
23.5 m		 84.7 %
1,009 hPa		 06:37:38
18:58:00
Apr. 30th 2024 Apr. 30th 2024 max: 29.4 °C
min: 28.8 °C 		29.2 m/s
34.9 m/s		 92.1 %
24.1 m		 86.3 %
1,008 hPa		 06:37:21
18:58:01
May. 1st 2024 May. 1st 2024 max: 29.2 °C
min: 28.6 °C 		29.2 m/s
34.2 m/s		 66.5 %
24.1 m		 85.4 %
1,008 hPa		 06:37:05
18:58:03
May. 2nd 2024 May. 2nd 2024 max: 29.2 °C
min: 28.5 °C 		24.1 m/s
29.9 m/s		 80.6 %
24.1 m		 83.3 %
1,009 hPa		 06:36:49
18:58:06
May. 3rd 2024 May. 3rd 2024 max: 29.2 °C
min: 28.6 °C 		24.8 m/s
31.3 m/s		 80.5 %
24.1 m		 83.6 %
1,008 hPa		 06:36:35
18:58:08
May. 4th 2024 May. 4th 2024 max: 29.3 °C
min: 28.5 °C 		27.4 m/s
30.2 m/s		 34.3 %
24.1 m		 85.3 %
1,008 hPa		 06:36:21
18:58:12
May. 5th 2024 May. 5th 2024 max: 29.2 °C
min: 28.3 °C 		25.6 m/s
29.5 m/s		 73.9 %
24.1 m		 84.0 %
1,009 hPa		 06:36:07
18:58:15
May. 6th 2024 May. 6th 2024 max: 29.3 °C
min: 28.4 °C 		23.0 m/s
28.4 m/s		 90.5 %
24.1 m		 82.6 %
1,010 hPa		 06:35:54
18:58:19
May. 7th 2024 May. 7th 2024 max: 29.0 °C
min: 28.6 °C 		30.6 m/s
36.7 m/s		 79.3 %
24.1 m		 84.2 %
1,010 hPa		 06:35:42
18:58:24
May. 8th 2024 May. 8th 2024 max: 28.8 °C
min: 27.8 °C 		27.2 m/s
32.9 m/s		 100.0 %
22.2 m		 82.7 %
1,009 hPa		 06:35:31
18:58:29
May. 9th 2024 May. 9th 2024 max: 29.3 °C
min: 28.6 °C 		23.8 m/s
28.4 m/s		 81.0 %
24.1 m		 81.4 %
1,009 hPa		 06:35:20
18:58:35
May. 10th 2024 May. 10th 2024 max: 29.2 °C
min: 28.6 °C 		27.4 m/s
32.0 m/s		 77.7 %
24.1 m		 83.0 %
1,009 hPa		 06:35:10
18:58:40

Cruises to Cotonou

Would you like to travel to Cotonou on a cruise ship or would you just like to know when a certain ship will dock there? Here you will find an overview of the cruise ships that will be calling at the port of Cotonou.

Scheduled ship calls in Cotonou, Benin
Date Ship Arrival Departure Details
May 7th 2024 Tuesday, 7th of May 2024 Seven Seas Mariner 08:00 am 04:00 pm
Feb. 9th 2025 Sunday, 9th of Feb. 2025 Seabourn Sojourn 07:00 am 06:00 pm
May 19th 2026 Tuesday, 19th of May 2026 Seven Seas Mariner 07:00 am 05:00 pm
May 20th 2026 Wednesday, 20th of May 2026 Seven Seas Mariner 07:00 am 05:00 pm
May 21st 2026 Thursday, 21st of May 2026 Seven Seas Mariner 07:00 am 05:00 pm

Alle zeigen

Galery: Cotonou

Photos by cruise fans for cruise fans!
Share your best pictures with the community and discover authentic images from travellers who have already been there.

- There are no photos available for Cotonou yet.

Join in, show your holiday photos from Cotonou

Share your holiday photos with the community and inspire others to their next adventure!

There are a few basic rules to follow

.
  1. Your picture should have been taken by yourself (the author) and fit into the current category.
  2. The picture should not show persons who do not agree to be published. An exception is made for people who only appear as an accessory in the picture. You can find an example of this exception [heere].
  3. Your image should not show any protected buildings, artwork, or other protected objects, unless the architecture is freely visible from a public street or square and the photo was taken from such a publicly accessible location. The same applies to artworks in public spaces that are permanently installed (panorama freedom).
  4. Naturally, you should ensure that your images are not discriminatory, offensive, or otherwise inappropriate.

Image Upload

Take/select photo   or drag & drop here

Non-public information¹:

By uploading images to the website portguide.org, the user declares that he is the author of the works and that they are free of third-party rights. The author hereby grants DEVEY DIGITAL Inh. Oliver Devey the non-exclusive right to use the images on its websites. However, the user remains the sole owner of the images and has the right to revoke the granted usage right at any time. There is no entitlement to the publication of the images. The operator reserves the right not to publish the images if they violate applicable law or its guidelines. The operator assumes no liability for any claims by third parties regarding the use of the images.

¹If users provide images by uploading them on their own initiative, the name and address of the author will be stored in addition to the actual image file in reduced resolution (1280x720px) for the duration of the usage agreement. This personal data will not be published and will not be used for advertising purposes or shared with third parties under any circumstances. The information is required to be able to legitimize the author of a work, for example, in the event of subsequent modification requests.

Gender note: For the sake of readability, the male form has been chosen in the text, although the information refers to members of both genders.


Maritime AIS Data Cotonou

Other ports within 300km of Cotonou

Port Distance
Lome in Togo 130,07 km
Her in Ghana 272,47 km
Accra in Ghana 297,59 km
footer cruise ship