Seychelles Sojourn
The best time to travel to this stunning archipelago

The location of the Seychelles, just seven degrees south of the Equator, heralds temperatures ranging between 24° – 34° degrees all year round, with a mixture of sunshine and tropical showers often accompanied by cooling sea breezes to help disperse the humidity. The inner granitic isles also tend to receive more rainfall than the outer coral islands.  However, there are two seasons which do have marked differences in terms of wind, rainfall and to a smaller extent, temperature.  We hope the below helps you choose your perfect time to experience these beautiful islands!

April and October

The months of April and October are considered ideal months to travel, the trade-winds are minimal, making the Seychelles an ideal choice if you’re looking for a trip over the Easter Holidays or October Half Term, as the winds should be low, but it can feel very hot thanks to little breeze.  The calm weather also equals better water clarity for those keen to snorkel or scuba, so a great time to visit if these activities are top of your wish list.

May to October

This is considered the drier season when the South-East trade winds blow.  It’s therefore the ideal time to visit if you’re keen on sports such as windsurfing, especially in July and August, as these winds are much stronger than those experienced during the rainy season. It’s also matches the best time to go on safari in most of Africa, if you’ve always dreamed of a Bush and Beach holiday!

During this time though do also note the winds and currents can cause sizeable quantities of seaweed to be deposited on the southeast and south coast beaches of the main islands, in particular grand Anse on Praslin, Anse Royale on Mahé and Anse Reunion on the west coast of La Digue.

Due to the rougher seas, we also recommend booking smoother business class on the inter-island ferry or fly to avoid rough crossings if you get seasick.

November to March

During this time, the north-west trade winds set in, but they are generally weaker than the south-east winds so don’t cause so much impact.  However, it’s probably best to avoid the northern beaches of Praslin during these months for seaweed-free swimming. 

It’s a great time to re-charge on warmth away from the cold European Winter and the seas should be relatively calm for cooling off but this time is known as rainy season for a reason, with December and January typically the months which see the most rainfall – often 15 rainy days on average each month, so be prepared to spend some time reading a book on your covered balcony or catching a movie in your luxury suite!  

The islands are still busy over Christmas, with many visitors not being put off by the prospect of some wet weather, especially as the chances of it being cyclonic are rare and the rain typically falling in short, tropical bursts and with the benefit of bringing down the temperature to a comfortable level for exploring and activities.

It’s also the time for wildlife watching with the nesting season typically October – December and hatching taking place in January – March, a highlight for many!

About the author

Abi Shaw - Bushbaby founder and avid explorer