Best Time to Visit Seychelles: Winds, Rain and Seas

Quick answer

The best time to visit Seychelles is April to May or October to November, when the trade winds change over, seas are calm and snorkelling visibility is best. December to March is hot, humid and the wettest period. June to September is drier but windy, with rough crossings and seaweed on some south- and east-facing beaches.

Month-by-month at a glance

Jan29°Fair
Feb30°Fair
Mar31°Good
Apr31°Best
May31°Best
Jun29°Good
Jul28°Good
Aug28°Good
Sep29°Good
Oct30°Best
Nov30°Best
Dec30°Fair

BestGoodFairAvoidTemperatures are average daily highs (°C).

Seychelles weather, crowds and what to expect

Monthly weather, crowds and our verdict
Month	High / Low	Rain	Crowds	What to expect
JanuaryFair	29° / 24°	380 mm	medium	Wettest month on Mahé; heavy bursts, humid. New Year crowds early in the month.
FebruaryFair	30° / 25°	260 mm	low	Hot and humid with frequent showers. Quieter and cheaper.
MarchGood	31° / 25°	220 mm	low	Rain eases, winds drop. Good value before the calm season.
AprilBest	31° / 25°	180 mm	medium	Calm seas, warm water, excellent snorkelling.
MayBest	31° / 26°	150 mm	medium	Calm and sunny; south-east trades begin late in the month.
JuneGood	29° / 25°	100 mm	medium	Trade winds set in; drier but breezy. Indian summer-holiday demand.
JulyGood	28° / 24°	85 mm	high	Coolest and windiest month. Rough seas on the south and east coasts.
AugustGood	28° / 24°	110 mm	high	Breezy and dry; European holidays push up prices. Feast of the Assumption on La Digue.
SeptemberGood	29° / 24°	130 mm	medium	Winds start easing. Decent value.
OctoberBest	30° / 24°	160 mm	medium	Calm seas return; Festival Kreol in the last week.
NovemberBest	30° / 24°	200 mm	medium	Warm, calm, clear water. Turtle nesting under way; showers increase late in the month.
DecemberFair	30° / 24°	300 mm	high	North-west monsoon brings rain; Christmas to New Year is peak price.

Long-term monthly averages. Individual years vary — check a forecast in the week before you travel.

Festivals and events in Seychelles

Last week of October
Festival Kreol
Creole music, food and dance across Mahé, mostly around Victoria.
15 August
Feast of the Assumption
La Digue's biggest day — a procession and island-wide celebration. Ferries are packed.
29 June
National Day
Parades and events in Victoria; government offices close.
Roughly October to February
Hawksbill turtle nesting
Best seen on Cousin Island and quieter Praslin beaches.

When is the best time to visit Seychelles?

The calmest, clearest weather comes in the two changeover periods between the trade winds: April to May and October to November. Winds are light, seas are flat for ferries and snorkelling, and visibility around Sainte Anne Marine Park and Praslin's reefs is often 20 m or more. Temperatures barely move all year — highs of 28–31°C — so the decision is really about wind and rain.

What are the two monsoon seasons like?

December to March is the north-west monsoon: hot, humid and the wettest part of the year, with heavy but usually short downpours. January is the wettest month on Mahé. South- and east-facing beaches are calmer in this season.

June to September brings the south-east trade winds. It is drier and slightly cooler, but seas are rougher, the Mahé–Praslin catamaran can be uncomfortable, and seaweed washes up on some south- and east-facing beaches. Choose north-west-facing beaches such as Beau Vallon and Anse Lazio in these months.

Seychelles seasons at a glance

Months	Wind	Good for
December–March	North-west, humid	Lush islands, fewer crowds outside Christmas
April–May	Calm	Snorkelling, diving, ferries, photography
June–September	South-east, breezy	Sailing, cooler walks, Indian summer holidays
October–November	Calm	Diving, turtle nesting, Festival Kreol

When do Indian travellers go?

Seychelles costs more than Mauritius or the Maldives for the same hotel class, and most trips from India connect via Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha or Colombo. Fares spike around Diwali and Christmas. For a honeymoon, late April to May or October to November give the best mix of weather and value.

Plan with our Seychelles trip cost guide, things to do in Seychelles and 6-day Seychelles itinerary. Indian passport holders get a visitor's permit on arrival but must apply online for a travel authorisation before flying — see the Seychelles visa guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is the rainiest month in Seychelles?

January is usually the wettest month on Mahé, with December and February close behind. Rain tends to arrive in heavy bursts followed by sunshine rather than grey, drizzly days. Inland walks get muddy and humid, but you can still spend part of most days on the beach.

Is July a good time to visit Seychelles?

July is dry and slightly cooler, but it is the windiest month. Seas are rough on south- and east-facing coasts, some beaches collect seaweed, and the Mahé–Praslin catamaran can be bumpy. It still works if you base yourself on north-west-facing beaches and take seasickness tablets for ferry days.

When is the best time for snorkelling and diving in Seychelles?

April to May and October to November, when the trade winds change over. Seas are at their flattest and visibility is at its best, often 20–30 m on outer reefs. Water temperature is around 28–29°C, so a thin rash guard is enough for most snorkellers.

How many days do you need in Seychelles?

Six nights lets you split time between Mahé and Praslin with a day trip to La Digue without rushing ferries. Four nights is enough for one island only. For a slower trip with time on all three islands, plan seven to eight nights, staying at least two nights on each.

How we checked this page

Last reviewed 28 October 2026

Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.