The Republic of Seychelles is made up of around 115 islands in the Indian Ocean . They are divided into Inner and Outer Islands. Many people use the short form Seychelles to designate the island state. The location near the equator gives the islands a lot of sunshine. The average temperatures in the year are 24 to 30 degrees Celsius. Due to the precipitation, the humidity averages 80%. Monsoons determine the tropical climate in the Seychelles . The northwest monsoon dominates the months December to March, which are defined as the rainy season in the Seychelles.
A tropical climate dominates the weather in the Seychelles
January is the rainiest month. From April to May there is almost no wind with around eight hours of sunshine per day and, due to the change of monsoons, the weather is humid . Therefore, April is the hottest and humid month of the year at 26 to 31 degrees Celsius. In the months of May to September it can get a little windier and stormier due to the southeast monsoon, but this is also the season with the least rain . The months of July to August are the coolest months with temperatures between 24 and 29 degrees Celsius. Severe storms are rare in the Seychelles despite the monsoons. In the transition phase from October to November you can expect around seven hours of sunshine per day. There is little wind and due to the change of monsoons there is a high humidity of over 80%.
Seychelles climate table
The climate table provides detailed information on the climate in the Seychelles . The data shows the best time to travel to the Seychelles , although it depends on various factors, such as the desired activities. Find out more below.
| Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. Temperature in ° C | 29 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 |
| Min. Temperature in ° C | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
| Hours of sunshine per day | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 |
| Water temperature in ° C | 27 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 |
| Rainy days per month | 16 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 16 |
Best time to travel Seychelles – monthly overview
Although it is tropical and warm all year round, the following months are the best time to visit the Seychelles . They are best for a Seychelles vacation due to the lower rainfall and the lower humidity .
- May: 30 ° C, 8 hours of sunshine, 28 ° C water temperature, 10 rainy days
- June: 29 ° C, 8 hours of sunshine, 27 ° C water temperature, 10 rainy days
- July: 28 ° C, 8 hours of sunshine, 26 ° C water temperature, 8 rainy days
- August: 28 ° C, 7 hours of sunshine, 26 ° C water temperature, 8 rainy days
- September: 29 ° C, 7 hours of sunshine, 26 ° C water temperature, 9 rainy days
- October: 29 ° C, 7 hours of sunshine, 26 ° C water temperature, 10 rainy days
The weather in the Seychelles – information about the dry and rainy season
The best time to travel to the Seychelles is from May to October . The reason is the dry and less humid weather. The high season is June and July . The remaining months of the year are also suitable for a vacation in the Seychelles. On average, it is tropical hot, rainy and humid in the months of November to April.
Dry and rainy seasons in the Seychelles at a glance:
- Dry season: May, June, July, August, September & October
- Rainy season: November, December, January, February, March & April
But the off-season has other advantages. Travel, flights and hotels are cheaper and there is no big rush of tourists. So nothing stands in the way of a quiet vacation on your dream island. Because the rainy season is nowhere near as bad as many people assume. In the Seychelles usually only a short tropical shower falls from the sky. Then the sun comes out again and allows for a nice beach vacation.
On the flat islands like La Digue, the probability of rain is smaller, even in the rainy season, than on the islands with higher elevations like Mahé. If you travel during the off-season and it’s raining too hard on your dream island , you can go island hopping . There are good ferry connections between the popular islands of Mahé , Praslin and La Digue .
Best travel time for activities in the Seychelles
The Seychelles are a tempting destination all year round . Depending on how well you can endure the humid weather, the low season is just as attractive as the high season. If you are planning your Seychelles vacation, it is important that you think about what you want to do there. For every activity there is a better or less good travel time.
Best travel time for diving and snorkeling in the Seychelles
According to Ezinesports, the best time to travel for divers are the transition months between the two monsoons that determine the climate in the Seychelles. During the change of monsoons there is no wind in the Seychelles. So you have perfect conditions for diving and good visibility. Do you want to dive in the Seychelles and see as much of the underwater world as possible? Then the best travel times are in the periods from the end of March to mid-May and mid-September to mid-December.
You can snorkel very well all year round. It is important that you go to beaches with an offshore reef in the rather stormy months of May to September. There the very high waves reach you less and you can snorkel and swim protected.
Best travel time for swimming in the Seychelles
Whether summer or rainy season – you can spend a nice beach holiday in the Seychelles all year round. Outside of the rainy season, the currents in the Indian Ocean are somewhat more violent due to the southeast trade winds. Therefore, especially on the wind-facing, southeast-facing beaches, there is a choppy sea and high waves. If you swim on a beach with a reef in front of you, you don’t have to worry about anything, you can ride the waves wonderfully. If you want to swim in a calm sea at the best travel time in May to October, then it is best to go to north and west facing beaches. They are sheltered from the wind and enable a wonderful beach holiday in the main season.
Best travel time for surfing and windsurfing in the Seychelles
If divers prefer the windless months for a vacation, it is exactly the other way around for surfers and windsurfers. The wind in particular makes for the perfect waves. That is why the best travel time for surfing and windsurfing in the Seychelles is from May to September – the main travel season.
Best travel time for sailing in the Seychelles
Those who enjoy sailing can do so all year round in the Seychelles. Many sailors do not appreciate the windless months less. If you are one of them, the best months for sailing are from May to October.
Best time to go fishing in the Seychelles
Are you a hobby or professional angler and would you like to pursue your leisure activities on your Seychelles vacation? Then fly to the dream islands in the Indian Ocean in the months of October to April. During this time, the weather conditions are perfect for fishing.
Best travel time for hiking in the Seychelles
The months with stronger winds May to September are best for hiking. During the rainy season, hiking is also possible, but a bit more arduous as it is humid and tropical hot.
My conclusion on the best travel time for the Seychelles
The Seychelles attract tourists from all over the world all year round with an average daily temperature of 30 degrees Celsius. The climate in the Seychelles is tropical and warm due to the monsoons. The best time to travel to the Seychelles is from May to October. Because of the southeast trade winds it is windier, it rains less and it is less humid on the islands in the Indian Ocean. Depending on what you are planning to do in the Seychelles and how much you want to invest in your vacation, the off-season between November and April is interesting for you. For example, the calm transitional months are more suitable for diving. In addition, the prices for travel in the rainy season are on average cheaper. Decide for yourself when you want to fly to the East African dream islands and have a wonderful time!
