The floating market at the heart of Ganvié is active in the early mornings, when women paddle their dugout canoes loaded with fish, vegetables, and household goods between the stilt houses. Trade is conducted boat-to-boat or at the stilted market platforms — the same principle as a land market, simply conducted on water.
The market is most lively between about 7am and 10am, after which activity disperses. Arriving early from Cotonou is possible — the trip from Cotonou to the Abomey-Calavi launch point takes about 30 minutes. By mid-morning the market quiets and the tours begin to arrive in force, so the very early hours are also the most authentic for seeing the market as it functions for local residents rather than visitors.