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Time in Western Sahara
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What Time Is It in Western Sahara Right Now With Seconds
Western Sahara follows a single national time system aligned with Morocco’s clock policy. The region uses UTC+01 for most of the year, but during the month of Ramadan the clock shifts back to UTC+00.
Cities such as El Aaiún (Laayoune), Dakhla, Smara, and Boujdour all follow the same local time, so there is no internal time difference across the territory.
Western Sahara Time Zone Info
IANA Time Zone: Africa/El_Aaiun
Standard UTC Offset: UTC +01 hour
Ramadan Offset: UTC +00 during Ramadan
Time Zone Abbreviation: GMT+1
DST: Special seasonal change during Ramadan
The local time returns to UTC+01 after Ramadan ends.
Western Sahara time zone(s)
| Time Zone | Example City/Region | UTC Offset |
|---|---|---|
| Western Sahara Time | El Aaiún, Dakhla | UTC +01 (UTC +00 during Ramadan) |
The official IANA identifier is Africa/El_Aaiun.
Daylight Saving Time in Western Sahara
Western Sahara normally remains on UTC +01. During Ramadan, clocks are set back by one hour to UTC +00, then moved forward again after Ramadan.
This seasonal arrangement follows Morocco’s national time policy.
Major cities in Western Sahara & their time
| City | Time Zone | Typical Offset |
|---|---|---|
| El Aaiún (Laayoune) | GMT+1 | UTC +01 / UTC +00 |
| Dakhla | GMT+1 | UTC +01 / UTC +00 |
| Smara | GMT+1 | UTC +01 / UTC +00 |
| Boujdour | GMT+1 | UTC +01 / UTC +00 |
| Tarfaya | GMT+1 | UTC +01 / UTC +00 |
All cities observe the same seasonal time change.
Brief info for Western Sahara time
Number of time zones: 1
Main city: El Aaiún (Laayoune)
Default time: GMT+1
Seasonal change: UTC +00 during Ramadan
IANA Time Zone ID: Africa/El_Aaiun
Standard UTC offset: UTC +01
Closer neighbours’ times: Morocco (same system), Mauritania (UTC +00)
Regional differences: None within the territory
Pros and Cons
Pros
One time system across the territory.
Simple scheduling within Western Sahara.
Good alignment with Morocco for trade and travel.
Predictable government time policy.
Consistent city times nationwide.
Cons
Ramadan clock change may confuse visitors.
Annual clock movement requires planning for international calls.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do we know about Western Sahara’s time zone?
Western Sahara uses UTC +01 and switches to UTC +00 during Ramadan.
Does Western Sahara observe Daylight Saving Time?
It follows a special seasonal change during Ramadan rather than standard DST.
What is Western Sahara’s official time zone?
It uses Africa/El_Aaiun as the IANA time zone.
How many time zones does Western Sahara have?
Western Sahara uses one national time zone.
Why does the time change during Ramadan?
To better align daily schedules with fasting and evening activities.
Do all cities in Western Sahara use the same time?
Yes. The entire territory follows the same time system.
How can I check the time difference between Western Sahara and another country?
You can use a time converter to compare Western Sahara Time with any global zone.