Seychelles has won a reputation for being one of the world’s stand-out holiday destinations for travelers in search of authenticity, harmony, safety and one of the most extraordinary experiences of nature on the planet.
Renowned for its natural beauty and incredible flora and fauna, the beaches that hem Seychelles turquoise blue and warm waters are a draw unto themselves. From secluded powder-soft crescents to long stretches of palm and veloutier-fringed strands, every island holds its secret ‘anse’ and with well over 120 beaches to choose from just on the three main islands of the Seychelles you are bound to find your perfect paradise setting and with the resorts dedicated team able to book and plan your adventures throughout the island or neighboring islands, get out and explore and discover the true Seychelles like no other.
If you are ready to travel to Seychelles, you might be wondering when is the best time to visit the islands. The best time to visit Seychelles is in April and May or October and November. This is due to fewer rain showers and calmer seas. Weather patterns can vary greatly between the islands. The inner granitic isles tend to receive more rainfall than the outer coral islands.
When is the weather more changeable?
The Seychelles has a tropical climate resulting in a reliable mix of sunshine and rain throughout the year. Showers intensify when the cooler, stronger southeast trade winds blow from May to September, and again when the humid less-forceful northwest trade winds visit the islands from October to March. Book a hotel on the east coasts of the islands to avoid the brunt of the latter. Come November monsoon season is in full swing, running until March, with December and January being the wettest months. However, even during this low season there are still frequent bursts of sunshine as the Seychelles sit outside the cyclone belt.
When is peak season?
Peak season in the Seychelles runs during its winter from May to August. Temperatures are still high — they hover around 29C throughout the year. However, at this point the southeast trade winds are starting to pick up, so it’s best to book accommodation on the sheltered west coasts of the islands.
When’s the best time to avoid seasonal seaweed?
Marooned in the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles is exposed to various currents and trade winds and from May to October they 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.) Most hotels offer complimentary shuttles to unaffected beaches during this time, but it may dash your hopes for holiday photos featuring pristine white-sand beaches. For the rest of the year, Mahé is normally clear, but Praslin may continue to have the odd seaweed-drifting event.
Best month for diving?
Diving and snorkelling are possible year-round. However, if you can, aim for April, October and November — the relative lull between the trade winds brings calmer seas, so operators reach the more remote diving locations and the absence of rain doesn’t churn up the water, resulting in visibility of up to 30 metres. It’s best to avoid travel in July and August when the ocean is at its choppiest.
How many days is good for Seychelles?
A memorable Seychelles holiday lasts between 10 and 14 days, with a minimum of ten days being a good amount of time to explore the islands. Excluding the first and last days as ‘travel days’ you have eight days to have a real blast. Anything less than that is too short, especially if you plan on visiting and staying on other islands, other than the main island of Mahe. It is a must to get to know the island’s individual beauty and tempos. However, if you want to see more than three islands during your stay then you should plan a 3-week holiday. Ideally, the longer you can stay the better so, stretch your budget and go for it and make it unforgettable by having the right balance of both adventure and relaxation.
Turkish Airlines and Air Seychelles have signed a codeshare agreement, making Seychelles more reachable.
