Seychelles sits one degree south of the equator, which means the temperature barely moves all year — 25–30°C, every month, always. What changes is the wind, and the wind changes everything else.
The two seasons in one sentence
Trade winds from the south-east, May through October — drier, breezier, calmer on the north coasts. Trade winds from the north-west, December through March — wetter, warmer, calmer on the south coasts. April and November are the cross-over months and often the most settled.
| Month | Wind | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| January | NW | Honeymoons; south-coast beaches |
| February | NW | Diving Praslin’s north; calmer outer islands |
| March | NW transitioning | Last of the rains; quietest reefs |
| April | Transitional | Flat seas, great visibility, lower prices |
| May | SE building | North-coast beaches; great hiking |
| June | SE | Sailing, kite-surf, dive Praslin’s south |
| July | SE | Peak European holiday crowd; book early |
| August | SE | Whale-shark season, festival season |
| September | SE | Wind dropping; great photography light |
| October | Transitional | Best all-round month for most travellers |
| November | Transitional | Calmest seas, lowest crowds |
| December | NW | Christmas peak; book 9+ months ahead |
Peak, shoulder and quiet
Peak. Mid-July to end of August, and the two weeks around Christmas and New Year. European school holidays + a perfect-weather window mean hotels run at 90%+, rates are at their highest, and the best beaches on Praslin can feel busy by Seychelles standards (which is still tame compared to almost anywhere else in the world). Book 6–9 months ahead.
Shoulder. April, May, September, October. Our pick for the best balance — settled weather, fewer people, prices 20–30% below peak.
Quiet. Late January through March, and June. Lower prices, more space, the occasional cloudy or wet day. The water stays warm, the snorkelling is often best, and you sometimes get hotels entirely to yourself.
Rain
It rains in Seychelles. People sometimes don’t realise this. December to March is the wettest window — usually short tropical downpours that pass through quickly, sometimes a full grey day. The dry months still see the occasional shower; what changes is the frequency. You can be unlucky in any month. Pack a light layer.
Special-interest months
- Whale sharks — best August to November, especially around Mahé’s west coast and the outer islands.
- Bird breeding — Cousin Island sooty terns peak May–October. Aride Island is most spectacular June–September.
- Sea turtles — green and hawksbill nesting October through February on quiet beaches.
- Coral spawn — March–April on the deeper reefs, divers’ calendar.
- Festivals — Festival Kreol last week of October, Seychelles Carnaval February or April depending on year.
Frequently asked questions
What is the absolute best month for Seychelles?
October. The trade winds drop, the seas calm down, the light goes warm and the August rush is over. April is a close second.
Can I visit in the rainy season?
Yes. December–March still has plenty of sunny days, the water is warm, prices are at their lowest, and you’ll have beaches to yourself. Bring a light rain layer.
Is hurricane season a thing in Seychelles?
Seychelles is just outside the cyclone belt — direct hits are extremely rare. The country sometimes feels distant cyclone swells that bring slightly bigger surf, but no infrastructure-level storms.
Which beaches work in which season?
South-east wind season (May–Oct): north-coast beaches are sheltered. North-west wind season (Dec–Mar): south-coast beaches are sheltered. Cross-over months work everywhere.