Seychelles is located between 4 and 10 degrees south of the Equator, therefore the climate is a year-round warm and tropical one. For this reason, there is no real ‘best time to visit Seychelles’ because it’s a great place to visit no matter what time of year it is. That being said, depending on what you want to do while there, different parts of the year may be more suitable than others.
While many people come to Seychelles for the white sandy beaches and turquoise blue seas, this island paradise has so much more to offer. It is home to a number of endemic plants and animals which makes it an ideal holiday destination for nature lovers, bird watchers and conservationists. The islands also boast some of the most popular and impressive diving spots in the world, not to mention offering amazing opportunities for windsurfing, fishing and snorkelling to name a few.
So in order to look at when the best time to visit Seychelles is, it is necessary to consider what you would like to do during your visit. Ultimately, the sunshine and beautiful beaches are available and stunning year round. It’s therefore quite easy to plan your holiday around your more preferred activities.
So now let’s get into the specifics of it all. Let’s find out when the best times of the year are to visit depending on what it is you want to experience.
Trade Winds
Although Seychelles does not experience spring, summer, autumn and winter in the usual sense, the climate is largely affected by the south-east and north-west trade winds.
These trade winds have an influence on the weather and subsequently, what types of activities are best suited for different parts of the year.
The north-west trade winds blow from the months of November to March. These winds bring with it what is called the ‘rainy season’. And although the Seychelles sees brief periods of rain throughout the year (which is what helps to promote the lush, green vegetation) this period can involve slightly longer showers than usual.
Despite this, temperatures remain high (between 27 and 28°C) and the sun is always right back shining brightly. Humidity during this period is also high, and the seas are actually at its calmest. Snorkelling and diving are best suited for this period because visibility is great due to the calm seas and lack of wind.
The south-east trade winds blow from May to September. These trade winds bring drier periods, which tend to peak during the months of July and August. These winds are cooler and brisker, which can be quite refreshing as the days are hot with higher temperatures. As the winds pick up, the seas are also typically rougher during this period. Activities such as windsurfing and sailing are more suitable for this time of year due to the higher winds.
There are lulls in the weather between these periods however, usually during the months of April and October. During this time, the weather is hot and less windy. Swimming, snorkelling and diving are especially popular during these periods.
To Summarise - The General Typically Applies
Rainy season (peaks in December and January – highest amount of precipitation)
High temperatures
High humidity
Calm seas
Lull in the weather (in between trade winds)
Temperatures very high
May seem even hotter due to lack of winds
Peaks in July and August (so hottest and driest during these months)
Dry period
Days are hot
Breezier period with stronger winds
Seas are less calm
Lull in the weather (winds dying down)
High temperatures
May seem even hotter due to lack of winds
Conditions and Activities by Month
January
Temperatures in January are warm and humidity high. Along with December, January is one of the wettest months of the year with intense rain showers being quite common. The seas are also calm during this period. For those hoping to experience little turtle hatchlings making their journey down to the sea, the period of January to March is the best time to visit.
Best time for:
February
Similar to January but rain showers start to decrease in frequency and intensity. With the calm seas, conditions for snorkelling and diving get even better.
Best time for:
March
March has similar conditions to February with even better visibility.
Best time for:
April
April is one of the calmest and more enjoyable periods as the islands experience a lull in the weather. There is very little rain and very little wind. It is also therefore one of the hottest periods. April is also the time when breeding seabirds return, so if you’re interesting in bird-watching, this is a great time to plan your visit.
Best time for:
May
May can be very similar to April in that it is quite warm with little breeze and relatively dry. This is especially true for the first part of the month. Soon the south-east trade winds will start to pick up.
Best time for:
June
In June the south-east trade winds have started to pick up and it is therefore windier. Temperatures remain quite warm and there is little rain.
Best time for:
July
July, as well as August, can be quite gusty, warm and very dry. The cool winds however are a lovely relief from the heat of the sun. It makes activities such as hiking more enjoyable.
Best time for:
August
August is very similar to July. Temperatures remain high with cool breezes and very little rain.
Best time for:
September
September experiences somewhat similar weather to July and August, but towards the end of the month, there will start to be a shift in the pattern. Temperatures may tend to be warmer as the winds begin to settle down.
Best time for:
October
As in April, October is a month where there is a bit of a transition in the weather pattern. The south-east trade winds have pretty much calmed down and the temperatures are warm with very little wind and very little rain.
Best time for:
November
The beginning of November sees much the same weather as October. The seas are calm and visibility gets better. The days are warm and there is very little wind. The rainy season also begins to set in.
Best time for:
December
December, along with January, sees higher amounts of rain. Temperatures are, as always, warm.
Best time for:
Cheapest Times to Visit Seychelles
To be honest, Seychelles is a popular destination year round due to its enviable climate. The sun is always shining and the beaches always open with welcoming warm seas.
In general, peak times for Seychelles include the European school holiday months of July and August. The same goes for the winter months including Christmas and New Year when people are trying to escape the cold weather. Usually, outside of these periods, airfare will tend to be cheaper.
So Is There A Best Time Visit Seychelles?
Well, there is definitely no wrong time to visit Seychelles.
Truth be told, there is no real clear-cut answer to this question as technically there is no ‘best’ time to visit Seychelles. The great thing about it is that no matter what time of year, the sun is always shining.
I suppose that if we had to choose a specific period then it would have to be the transitional periods of April/May and October/November. As the weather is changing, these periods provide a great opportunity to take part in a variety of activities and make the most out of your holiday. Or, if you would rather just spend your time relaxing on the beach and swimming in the sea, you can do this too.
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October/November it is! I’d love to visit and check out Victoria 🙂
This looks gorgeous! I’d love to visit in October, although all months sound beautiful there! Thanks for your tips!
You’re welcome. 😊
Very detailed post. Thanks for sharing. Hopefully someday after we get back to normal I will be able to take a trip there. I also love the icons to help you know when to do certain activities.
Thanks Greg. You should definitely plan on that. You won’t regret it.
Loved this post! Especially the symbols you used for each month activities!
I found it really helpful!
Thanks so much.