Are you dreaming of a picture-perfect beach holiday? Powdery white beaches, warm turquoise waters, lush green forests – the Seychelles embody a true island paradise. With plenty of sunshine throughout the year and distinct rainy seasons, the best time to visit the Seychelles depends on what you would like to experience. We share the best times of the year to discover the coral reefs, see turtles and relax on the sandy beaches.
Where green forests meet blue skies
November to March: The Rainy Season
The Seychelles is an equatorial archipelago. As a result, rainfall comes in brief, heavy showers. The northwest trade wind arrives in November, bringing most of the rainfall that makes these tropical islands so lush. The temperature and humidity are relatively high during this rainy season.
Hawksbill sea turtles lay their eggs on the sandy beaches from October through December, and the adorable hatchlings make their way to the sea from January to March. Therefore, this is a good time to visit if you want to see the turtles.
April: Get Your Beach Groove On
It’s always time to relax on the beach in the Seychelles
April is the hottest month of the year when the wind and rain ease up to give you perfect beach weather. Hot, humid days encourage relaxing in the shade of a palm tree and cooling off in the crystal-clear water.
Therefore, if it’s a tropical island paradise beach holiday you want, April is one of the best times to visit the Seychelles.
May to September: Hello There, Sunshine
Visit the Aldabra giant tortoise in Curieuse Marine National Park
The southeast trade wind arrives in May, bringing a slight drop in temperature and humidity and significantly less rainfall. June, July and August are the driest months of the year. And there’s always plenty of sunshine to explore the tropical islands and their treasures.
October: The Wild Card
Discover the Indian Ocean
Between trade winds and after months of little rain, the beaches and ocean are at their best in October. Relatively calm and dry, with excellent visibility, October is therefore one of the best times to visit Seychelles for a beach and diving holiday.
The Best Time To Travel To The Seychelles for…
Relax or explore the islands, Image credit: North Island Lodge
So, let’s look at the best time to visit the Seychelles according to the archipelago’s most popular experiences and activities.
Beach time
If it’s the classic barefoot, do-nothing-but-relax beach holiday you seek, travelling between April and October is ideal. Although you’ll have a wonderful beach holiday experience no matter when you visit, rainfall is at its lowest during these two shoulder months as the wind abates. As a result, you can expect more sunshine and time on the beach. Perfection!
Diving
The best time to visit the Seychelles for diving and snorkelling is between the trade winds in April and May and then again in October and November. With rainfall and wind at their lowest during these months, the sea is at its calmest and therefore also offers maximum visibility.
Seeing Sea Turtles
Seychelles is famous for its Hawksbill sea turtles that lay their eggs by the hundred in nests excavated above the tideline along the beach. Therefore, the best time to visit the Seychelles for sea turtle nesting is from October to December. Furthermore, you should visit between January and March to see the hundreds of sea turtle hatchlings make their way to the ocean.
Swimming with Whale Sharks
The best time to visit the Seychelles to swim with whale sharks is October and November when they migrate past Mahé. The water is also at its clearest as the annual rains are yet to arrive.
Inland Adventures
Yes, the Seychelles is famous for its powder-white beaches and turquoise waters. However, this tropical paradise also features lush forests, fascinating topography and rich cultural heritage. The drier season, from May to September, is therefore the ideal time for an immersive cultural experience.
Birding
Seychelles is a birding hotspot since this lush collection of islands is hundreds of kilometres from any other land. The breeding season includes April and May. On the other hand, the nesting season is from May to September. Migratory arrivals begin in September and peak in October.
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Book Your Seychelles Holiday With The Best!
Inspired and ready to book your dream beach holiday? As the World’s Leading Safari Company, we’d love to offer you our first-hand travel advice and plan a bespoke itinerary.
Contact our Travel Experts about the best time to visit the Seychelles today, and let’s start planning!
