One of my favorite destinations of all time is Seychelles where I enjoyed a solo 15-day trip. At the time I planned the trip, I had no idea what the best time to visit Seychelles is and just planned a trip near my birthday.
What’s more, I was getting an amazing offer on a flight from Mumbai to Seychelles so without a second thought, I booked it. Luckily for me, I ended up here during good weather so I could enjoy my time on the islands here.
If you are planning a trip to Seychelles, then make sure you check the weather and climate in Seychelles and then plan it. In this article, I have shared information on the best time to visit Seychelles, what you can expect in different months here, and how to travel around the islands during your trip.
Best Time to Visit Seychelles
Due to the trade winds that Seychelles experiences, the best time to visit Seychelles are between the months of April to May, and October to November. These are the transition months between these two trade winds and the weather is slightly mild and pleasant in Seychelles at the time.
In April and October, the weather in Seychelles is slightly calm and warm with negligible rainfall which makes it the perfect time for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. The water temperature will be pleasant and you will be able to enjoy 30 meters plus visibility.
You can also enjoy other activities during these months such as sunbathing, bird-watching, swimming, and so on. So, if you are interested in water activities then these months are the best time to visit Seychelles.
On the other hand, if you don’t mind tropical showers, then you can plan a visit here during the months of December, January, July, and August. During the spring and fall season, it is offseason in Seychelles so you won’t have to encounter the large hordes of tourists.
So, if you wish to enjoy some quiet time on the beaches and find the cheapest accommodation deals then spring and fall is the best time to visit Seychelles.
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Month-by-Month Weather Guide for Seychelles
The average temperature in Seychelles ranges around 30°C throughout the year. So, this island nation experiences hot and humid climate most of the months. However, since Seychelles is situated just 7 degrees south of the Equator and is independently situated in the Indian Ocean, it is difficult to predict the weather here.
You simply cannot rely on the weather forecasts and have to be prepared for all kinds of weather during your trip here. Here is a breakdown of what you can expect and do during different months here:
January – March
This is the beginning of the summer season in Seychelles and the northwest trade winds start blowing around. As a result, one can experience a hot and humid climate here with high rainfall till February. You will still find a lot of tourists here during these months due to several festivals and events being conducted here including the Seychelles Marathon.
In March, you can see the northwest monsoon coming to an end but the temperature is still quite high around here. One of the best things to witness here during these months is the turtle hatchlings making their way from their nest to the ocean.
If you are interested in witnessing a sailing competition then plan a visit to Seychelles in January when the Seychelles Sailing Cup event is held here. During this time, you have a few activities open in Seychelles such as fishing, sailing, and snorkeling, and even diving starts from the month of March.
You will find the hotel and flight prices inflated during these months so book everything in advance to get the best packages and pricing.
April – May
As the humid northwest winds start blowing away from Seychelles and the southeast winds start making their way, the weather in Seychelles becomes slightly warm and mild. The temperature in Seychelles range between 27 – 29 degrees Celsius with a little breeze and rainfall.
April is the warmest month in Seychelles and the weather can be slightly hot and humid during these months. However, it is a good time to visit and you can also attend events such as Seychelles National Fishing Tournament and Carnaval International de Victoria here in April.
In April and May, you can also indulge in a lot of activities in Seychelles such as Bird-watching, diving, fishing, diving, hiking, sailing, snorkeling, surfing, and so on. During these months, you will also find the islands slightly deserted and cheaper hotel and flight rates. So, if you wish to plan a budget trip to Seychelles then this is definitely a good time to visit.
Also Read: Your Complete Mahe Island Itinerary
June – September
These are the months when the weather in Seychelles becomes a little cooler with less humidity and rainfall. So, this is the peak season to visit Seychelles to enjoy the cool, dry weather here and spend time on the beach. The temperature at the time usually ranges between 24 and 27 degrees Celsius and watching sunsets during these months is quite rewarding.
There are several events to attend during these months as well. You can plan a trip to attend the Seychelles Sea Turtle Festival and South East Monsoon Sailfish Tournament in August or the Seychelles Round Table Regatta in September.
If you enjoy adventurous activities such as surfing, hiking, diving, etc. then this is the best time to visit Seychelles. This is a popular time to visit Seychelles, especially the months of July and August so make sure you make your bookings in advance and be ready to pay high-season prices.
Also, the islands will be crowded with tourists but you will still be able to manage a few beaches that are beautiful and secluded.
October
October is undoubtedly the best time to visit Seychelles as you can indulge in many activities such as bird-watching, diving, fishing, sailing, and snorkeling at the time. Since this is the transition month, there are increased chances of rainfall and it is less windy at the time here.
This is also the month when the Hawksbill turtles start laying their eggs and you can also enjoy watching shark whales, migratory birds, etc. during this month. That’s not all, this is also the time when the SUBIOS Underwater Festival, La Digue Offshore Tournament, and Festival Kreol are celebrated here
In the SUBIOS Underwater Festival, they show many films, conduct several talks and competitions to display the extraordinary underwater life of Seychelles. And the Festival Kreol is a week-long celebration where they celebrate the Creole tradition and heritage.
Also, you can save a lot on the hotel and flight costs and will find more options available as it is an offseason to visit Seychelles.
November
This is the beginning of the northwest winds in Seychelles so the islands might receive occasional showers during this month. If you wish to avoid the wet season, then stay on the east side and be prepared for higher and humid temperature in Seychelles. This is also the month when you can still witness the Hawksbill turtles laying eggs and can enjoy sightings of the shark whales.
In November, you can also enjoy the International Fishing Competition in Seychelles which is definitely something to look forward to. Apart from that, you have several amazing things to do in Seychelles such as diving, fishing, sailing, snorkeling, and so on.
December
Although the weather in Seychelles in December is a little humid and there are greater chances of rainfall, it still receives tourists from around the world. This is the month when you will find turtles laying eggs on the beaches in Seychelles and locals celebrating several end-of-the-year festivals. If you want to celebrate New Year with a bang then you can definitely plan a visit to Seychelles in December.
In December, you can indulge in a few activities here as well such as fishing, sailing, and snorkeling.
Climate in Seychelles
Seychelles is a tropical island that experiences a hot and humid climate throughout the year. However, there are different seasons that can be experienced here and here is everything you need to know about them:
Summer Season
The summer season Seychelles can be experienced between the months of December and March. This is also a heavy tourist season so the prices are high during this time for hotels and activities. However, if you are planning a summer vacation and don’t mind occasional showers then this is definitely the best time to visit Seychelles.
One thing to keep in mind when planning a vacation in Seychelles during this season is that December and January are the busiest months of the season. So, you need to book your accommodations in advance and plan the trip properly. If you are looking for a better month to chill out on the beaches in summer then February is a good time to visit.
Monsoon Season
The monsoon season in Seychelles usually lasts from November to March, December and January being the wettest months in Seychelles. So, if you are interested in dry vacation with plenty of sunbathing on the beach then you can plan a trip between May and July as those are the driest months in Seychelles.
You can still plan a trip to Seychelles in the monsoon season because most of the islands here aren’t in the cyclone belt. So, you don’t have to worry about any storms in this region. However, the weather in Seychelles in December is slightly more humid than the rest of the months due to the frequent showers. The rainfall is not excessive as in Mauritius or Maldives but it could definitely hamper your fun in Seychelles.
Winter Season
Honestly speaking, the best time to visit Seychelles is the winter season as it also happens to be the drier season to enjoy over here. The season lasts from May to October and it is a great time to plan a honeymoon trip here as well due to lower humidity than the rest of the year. The average temperature in Seychelles during this season is around 25 – 29 degrees Celsius in the winters.
July and August are the peak months in Seychelles so you will find a lot of tourists around here then and the prices are generally higher in the winter months. But it is also the best time to enjoy outdoor activities here such as surfing, scuba diving, bird-watching, and so on. If you are interested in exploring the islands and participating in water activities, then the weather in Seychelles in May is absolutely perfect for it.
Weather in Seychelles
Since Seychelles experiences a year-long tropical climate, you can plan a trip here anytime you want. However, different seasons will be suitable for different activities to do and will majorly depend on the month you choose to visit. You will also have to shortlist a few places to visit when in Seychelles according to the weather in Seychelles.
Seychelles’ weather is primarily governed by two trade winds: the hot and humid northwest trade winds and the cool southeast trade winds.
The northwest trade winds blow from October to March and the wind speed averages around 8 – 12 knots at the time. As for the southeast trade winds, they blow in the months of May to September when the wind speed averages around 10 – 20 knots, and the weather is slightly cooler and appropriate for sailing at the time.
These trade winds are also responsible for the seaweed build upon a few beaches, so you need to choose your beachside hotel carefully.
Summary
There is no particular best time to visit Seychelles as it depends on the places that you would like to visit and the things that you would like to do in Seychelles. However, I planned my trip during the month of May and it was definitely a pleasant time to visit. There were occasional showers but mostly the weather was clear and sunny during this time.
So, I could enjoy my time on the beaches here and could easily hike around the islands as well. Be sure to plan your trip well in advance if you wish to make the most of your trip here as well.
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