Best months to visit
FebruaryJuneJulyAugustOctoberNovember
April-May and October-November are the inter-monsoon sweet spot: calm seas on every coast, low wind, warm dry weather. May-September is the breezier dry season with reliable sun on the north and west. December-March is hot, humid and rainiest, but the leeward south is sheltered then.
Best for
Beach
April-October — calmer south coast in NW monsoon transition (April), then dry-season comfort May-September on the north and west of Mahé and Praslin.
Hiking
May-September — Morne Seychellois trails are coolest and least slippery during the SE monsoon at 24-27 °C; trails get muddy December-March.
Sightseeing
April-May and October-November — light winds, low humidity peaks, calm seas for island-hopping (Praslin, La Digue, Curieuse).
Climate notes
- Northwest monsoon (December-March): warm, humid, light winds from the NW; the wettest months on Mahé are December and January (350-380 mm rain). Sea is glassy on the leeward south coast — best diving conditions of the year.
- Southeast monsoon (May-September): cooler and drier from the SE; trade winds 15-20 knots make the south and east coasts choppy but the north and west sheltered. June-August precipitation drops to 60-90 mm.
- Inter-monsoon transitions (April and October-November): light winds, calm seas on all sides, often the most pleasant time to dive and snorkel — but afternoon thunderstorms are common.
- Cyclone-free: the Seychelles sit close to the equator (4° S), south of the typical cyclone formation zone. Major cyclones essentially never reach the inner granitic islands.
- Constant warmth: sea surface temperature stays 26-30 °C all year; air temperature rarely drops below 24 °C at night.
- Tropical thunderstorms: short, intense afternoon downpours during NW monsoon and transitions; mornings are typically clear.
Temperature (min / max °C)
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Rainy days per month
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Sunshine hours per month
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Regional notes
- Mahé north and west (Beau Vallon, Anse Major): sheltered during SE monsoon — calm beach days May-September.
- Mahé south and east (Anse Royale, Anse Forbans): sheltered during NW monsoon — best November-March; choppier in SE monsoon with seaweed accumulation.
- Praslin and La Digue: similar pattern to Mahé but slightly drier overall; Anse Source d'Argent (La Digue) is sheltered year-round.
- Outer atolls (Aldabra, Alphonse, Desroches): drier than the inner islands, with diving best in calm-water windows October-November and April-May.
- Morne Seychellois (905 m): high interior of Mahé is significantly wetter and cooler than the coast — cloud cover most afternoons.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit the Seychelles?
April-May and October-November are widely considered ideal: light wind, calm seas on all coasts, low rain, and warm but not oppressive 27-29 °C. Diving and island-hopping are best in these inter-monsoon windows.
Do the Seychelles get cyclones?
No — the inner granitic islands sit at only 4° south, too close to the equator for cyclones to form or intensify. This is one reason the Seychelles is popular as a year-round honeymoon destination.
What is the difference between NW monsoon and SE monsoon?
NW monsoon (December-March) is warm, humid, with light winds and the heaviest rain — but the south coast of Mahé is calm and ideal then. SE monsoon (May-September) is cooler and drier but brings 15-20 knot trade winds that make the south and east choppy; the north and west stay sheltered.
Which side of Mahé is sheltered when?
Use the opposite side from the wind. May-September (SE monsoon): stay on the north or west (Beau Vallon, Glacis). December-March (NW monsoon): stay on the south (Anse Royale, Takamaka).
Is the rainy season a problem for visitors?
Not normally. December-March rain typically comes as short heavy afternoon showers, leaving most of the day usable. Sea temperature is at its warmest then (29-30 °C). Heavy multi-day rain is rare.
When does seaweed wash up on Seychelles beaches?
Most noticeable on south and east coasts of Mahé during the SE monsoon (May-September), when trade winds push sargassum and other algae onto windward shores. Resorts on these coasts clean their beaches daily; north and west beaches are largely unaffected.
What is the water temperature year-round?
Between 26 °C (July-August) and 30 °C (March-May). Snorkelling is comfortable without a wetsuit at any time of year — a rash vest is enough sun protection.
When is the best time for diving in the Seychelles?
April-May and October-November — water clarity is best (visibility often 25-30 m), winds are light, and surface conditions are calm. Whale shark sightings around Mahé peak in October-November.
Climate data: Open-Meteo · 2020–2025