Best time to visit Seychelles

Seychelles is what dream holidays are made of. Sitting pretty in the middle of the Indian Ocean, this island country, made of 115 islands, is the ultimate escape. With beautiful tranquil beaches lined with palm trees, lush greenery rolling into the golden sands and nature reserves dotted by mountains, a set up can’t be more picturesque than this. This beautiful country is less crowded than the usual beach destinations and the best time to visit Seychelles is in April and October.

But fret not, Seychelles has great weather all year round so you can actually plan your holiday any time you please. According to how you want your holiday to shape up we will tell you which is the best season to visit Seychelles.

Vacationing in Seychelles is an experience in itself. Imagine starting the day with fresh coconut water in the shade of a palm tree by the beach, followed by lunch with their signature Creole food prepared with spices and seafood. In between, throw in a swim in the crystal clear water, followed by walks on the soft sands and then witnessing a magnificent sunset.

With warm weather all year round, the best time for Seychelles really depends on your dream holiday. There are months when the seas are calm making it the best season for diving and snorkeling and there are months when the weather is cooler and you can enjoy sailing and hiking.The best time to travel to Seychelles is more of a personal choice. In this blog we will help you make that choice.

A quick chart on the best time to visit Seychelles

Time Period	Weather Condition	What to Do
November – March	Warm, humid, calm seas; smooth currents; crystal-clear water	Snorkeling, scuba diving, glass-bottom boat tours, island-hopping (Praslin, La Digue), bird watching (Dec), Seychelles Ocean Festival (Dec)
April and October	Shoulder season; mild sun, light winds, calm warm waters; fewer tourists	Photography (sunrise/sunset), kayaking, paddle boarding, waterfall hikes (Sauzier), picnics on secluded beaches, seafood dining, Creole Festival (Oct)
May – September	Cooler, breezy; lower humidity; seas occasionally choppy; great wind conditions	Sailing, hiking (Morne Seychellois), windsurfing, beach visits (Anse Source d’Argent)

What you should know about Seychelles’ weather

Seychelles has an average temperature of 24-30 °C. Needless to say, there is some mix of sunshine, gentle winds and those quick tropical showers. But you will surely choose the best time to visit Seychelles according to the activities you prefer.

Weather in Seychelles depends on wind direction:

November to March – It’s the time for Northwest Trade Winds making the weather warm and humid with seasonal calmer seas. It’s the best time for Seychelles if you want to go snorkeling, diving or enjoy relaxed boat rides between the islands.
May to September – This is when the Southeast Trade Winds blow making the sea a little choppy at times but it stays calm most often. Sailing, hiking or just perfect for beach days and sun tan.

April and October are the shoulder seasons but this is actually Seychelles’ best time weatherwise. The winds are less turbulent, the seas are calm, and the weather is beautiful and moderate. Tourists have a ball engaging in snorkelling, swimming and diving activities.

Best time to visit Seychelles

This month-by-month guide will assist you in determining the Seychelles’ best time to go, depending on activities, festivals and even the kind of stay you may want.

November to March – Warm, calm and ideal for diving

If you’re looking for the best time to visit Seychelles for aquatic adventures, this is it. The climate during the period of November to March is somewhat humid, warm and the seas are as smooth as a swimming pool but only the vista is endless. This is the time the water is crystal clear, hence the best season to visit Seychelles for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Why visit:

Smooth seas, allowing even currents perfect for beginners and advanced divers.
Clear visibility of marine life in the ocean, multi-coloured coral reefs and tropical fish.
The water is warm and pleasant.

Activities you can indulge in:

Festivals: Do not miss the Seychelles Ocean Festival (celebration of ocean life and exhibitions, boat trips and underwater photography competition) being held in December.
Dive/Snorkel: Sainte Anne Marine National Park and Baie Ternay Marine Park are perfect diving spots.
Island hopping: Praslin (Anse Lazio, Vallée de Mai) La Digue (Anse Source d’Argent) are places with the most beautiful beaches and forests.
Boat tour: Go on a glass-bottom boat tour or catch the sunset on a catamaran.
Birding: In Cousin Island Reserve December is peak month for bird watching.
Eat: Marie Antoinette (Creole, Mahé), La Scala (Italian/seafood, Mahé), Les Rochers (romantic, Praslin), Fish Trap (for harbour views, La Digue).

April and October – The golden shoulder months

If you can’t decide on the best time to visit Seychelles let us tell you the months of April and October come under the category of shoulder season with its perfectly tuned weather, warm water and minimal rain.

Why visit:

Light wind and mild sun, making the weather neither hot nor humid.
Calm, warm waters are ideal for bathing and water sports.
Less tourists than in peak season and you can enjoy the serenity of having fewer people around.

Activities you can indulge in:

Photography: Golden light and clear skies – the best days to take sunrise and sunset photos should be done at Anse Lazio (Praslin) and Beau Vallon (Mahé).
Water Adventures: Kayak or paddle in calm lagoons such as Port Launay Marine Park.
Waterfall & Nature: Take a walk inside a tropical jungle and take a dip in the Sauzier Waterfall.
Picnics: Pack your lunch and have a wonderful time at less crowded beaches like Anse Georgette (Praslin) or Anse Cocos (La Digue).
Food: Del Place Bar & Restaurant (Port Glaud, Mahe) promises you seafood and a wonderful sight of the lagoon or Caf de Arts (Praslin) is a restaurant with great food right down the beach.

May to September – Breezy and ideal for sailing

If you love outdoor adventures and cooler days, this might be the best season to visit Seychelles for you. It is just the right time to go hiking, sailing and exploring.

Why visit:

Nice cool weather to do outdoor activities.
Not as much rain and lower humidity, so you can be outside the whole day.
Wonderful winds to sail and do other wind sports.

Activities you can indulge in:

Go up to the national park Morne Seychellois and admire the wonderful views across the islands.
Participate in or watch windsurfing and sailing tournaments in these months.
Enjoy at La Digues Anse Source d’Argent, one of the most photographed beaches in the world, without having to endure the hot afternoon.
Festivals: If you are visiting in September, then maybe stay on till October to catch The Creole Festival, where music, dance and culture of Seychelles are celebrated.

If Seychelles is on your mind and you want to experience enchanting beach life with a whole lot of aqua activities get in touch with us.

Best time to visit Seychelles for a honeymoon

April – May and October are the ideal months to visit with a partner to spend some romantic time as the weather is not too hot and, in addition to fewer crowds, there is also soft sunshine and blue waters.

You can also go between November and January when you can enjoy short bouts of tropical showers followed by clear weather. It could rain a bit in December but on a honeymoon you are definitely looking forward to the romantic experience of watching the rain falling on the soft sand from the precincts of your luxe room.

Why it is perfect for honeymooners:

Privacy: Fewer tourists and quieter beaches and solitary coves.
Ideal conditions: The weather couldn’t be more perfect; it is neither too warm nor too moist to go out on adventures and also you can laze around on beaches.
Love-struck sunsets: Imagine pink-hued skies over Beau Vallon (MahE) or Anse Lazio (Praslin).

Couple activities:

Picnics on the islands are organized by your resort staff.
Spa treatments by the sea, perfect couple goals.
Champagne on catamaran sunset cruises.
Snorkeling with one another in transparent lagoons.
Waking up early to sunrise panoramas at Nid d’Aigle, the highest point at La Digue island.

Where to stay:

North Island – Extreme privacy with very exclusive villas, complete with an exclusive beach.
Constance Lemuria (Praslin) – Beachfront suites and an 18-hole golf course.
Anantara Maia (Mah C ) – Butler service, own pool villas.
Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie (La Digue) – Lovely garden villas close to Anse Source d’Argent.

Off-season in Seychelles: Is it worth visiting?

Seychelles does not have a true off-season due to its year-round warm tropical climate, but it’s the least touristy time of the year with low prices, easy reservations at luxury resorts and fewer tourists.

December to March, with January seeing the most rainfall is often considered as off season. But many people actually prefer to visit during this time. July to August the weather is good but the sea often turns choppy making water activities hazardous, that’s why those interested in those activities avoid these months.

Advantages of off-season travel:

Lower prices: Large discounts on lodging, airline tickets, and trips.
Less crowded: Fewer people at the beaches and attractions, even at famous attractions such as Anse Lazio or Beau Vallon.
Best land activities: Hiking on Morne Seychellois National Park, Cycling on La Digue and visiting markets without the sun and the humidity of high-season.

Cons to keep in mind:

Rougher waters: Certain boat rides out to the ferry might be choppy, and there might be less diving/snorkeling visibility.
Strong winds on some days: Some of the more exposed beaches become too windy but for the adventurous it could be good for sailing and windsurfing.

Tips for planning your trip

A vacation in Seychelles is an adventure on its own and some planning is needed to make it a wonderful experience.

Take cool, light clothing, do not forget to carry along a light rain coat in case you run into one of those sudden storms.
Don’t forget sunscreen and reef lotion; if you are in the habit of doing interesting activities in the ocean, take care of the coral reefs and protect yourself.
Book ahead of time for national parks and diving excursions, as well as the popular excursions. They may be sold out in active months

Plan your dream Seychelles holiday with Flying Squirrel Holidays

At Flying Squirrel Holidays, we realise that your trip to Seychelles is not just a mere vacation it’s going to be a memory of a lifetime.

Seychelles has something for everyone. You could be a snorkelling and cycling enthusiast or someone who wants to just lounge on the beach and gorge on Creole seafood or do you want it to be luxe all the way, with stays to sunset yacht cruises? Let us know what’s on your mind and we will tailor the perfect holiday for you.

So if it’s a couple’s getaway, a family holiday or a solo trip you are excited about, leave it to us to work out the perfect itinerary for you.

Get in touch today to plan your perfect Seychelles getaway

Call us at + 9133 4052 5777 / +91 833 697 8737‬ or write to us at [email protected]