Time of Day

Since Pokémon Gold & Silver, aside from Generation III, the time of day has been a major element of the games with a set period for day and night. However, Pokémon Sun & Moon have changed this up a little, with both day and night now lasting for 12 hours each, running from 06:00 to 18:00 with the visual shift starting at 05:00. In addition to that, Pokémon Moon runs an inverted time so when it's day in real life, it'd be night in the game.

Pokémon Sun & Moon are also the first games since Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver to have different encounter tables based on if it is day or night. As such, there are several Pokémon that are exclusive to day and some that are exclusive to night. Some Pokémon even evolve based on it being day or night.

In addition to that, some people only give you items in night, such as TM21 & TM27 in Malie City and Air Balloon in the day in Malie Garden, and certain Zygarde Cells are exclusive to each time of day.

There is one feature that allows for you to switch the time, by going through the portal to the Alt World

Time Details

DayNight
Time Frame
Sun
06:00-18:00
Moon
18:00-06:00
Sun
18:00-06:00
Moon
06:00-18:00
Exclusive Wild Pokémon
Jigglypuff
Paras
Poliwrath
Ledyba
Ledian
Igglybuff
Espeon
Drifloon
Yungoos
Gumshoos
Lycanroc
Dewpider
Araquanid
Rattata
Raticate
Clefairy
Spinarak
Ariados
Cleffa
Politoed
Umbreon
Misdreavus
Surskit
Masquerain
Lycanroc
Morelull
Exclusive Zygarde Cells
PictureLocation
Zygarde CellRoute 1
Zygarde CellRoute 1
Zygarde CellRoute 3
Zygarde CellRoute 8
Zygarde CellHano Beach
Zygarde CellPaniola Ranch
Zygarde CellRoyal Avenue
Zygarde CellRoute 10
Zygarde CellRoute 16
Zygarde CellAether House
Zygarde CellMalie City - Outer Cape
Zygarde CellMalie City
Zygarde CellPo Town
Zygarde CellSecluded Shore
Zygarde CellAncient Poni Path
Zygarde CellPoni Breaker Coast
Zygarde CellPoni Plains
Zygarde CellPoni Wilds
Zygarde CellResolution Cave - 1F
Zygarde CellAether Paradise - Outside
PictureLocation
Zygarde CellRoute 1 - Trainer School
Zygarde CellHau'oli City - Shopping District
Zygarde CellIki Town
Zygarde CellHeahea City
Zygarde CellKonikoni City
Zygarde CellPaniola Ranch
Zygarde CellRoyal Avenue
Zygarde CellRoute 11
Zygarde CellRoute 13
Zygarde CellRoute 14
Zygarde CellHokulani Observatory
Zygarde CellMalie City
Zygarde CellPo Town
Zygarde CellSecluded Shore
Zygarde CellAncient Poni Path
Zygarde CellPoni Breaker Coast
Zygarde CellPoni Plains
Zygarde CellPoni Wilds
Zygarde CellResolution Cave - B1F
Zygarde CellAether Paradise - Entrance