Weather & seasons
Seychelles sits close to the equator, with 26–32°C all year and two monsoons taking turns: the northwest monsoon (about December–March) is hotter, more humid, calm and light-winded; the southeast trades (about May–October) are cooler, drier and windier, with rougher seas and more seaweed on southeast-facing coasts. April–May and October–November, between the two, are transition months with light winds and the clearest water, widely seen as the best window. Seychelles is essentially outside the cyclone belt. Peak prices (July–August, Christmas/New Year) do not always match the best weather. Season boundaries shift a little each year; below is the general pattern.
Month 1Wet season
Among the hottest, most humid and calmest months — for travellers who can live with showers.
- Weather
- One of the peak months of the northwest monsoon: the hottest, most humid stretch, with frequent showers and short thunderstorms that often clear quickly.
- Sea
- Light winds and mostly calm seas, but rain can bring silt and seaweed, so visibility comes and goes.
- Crowds & price
- Just after the Christmas/New Year peak, prices ease, though some resorts stay at high-season rates and popular private islands still need booking ahead.
- Good for
- Beach and pool time, spa, and hikes started early; snorkel in the weather windows.
Month 2Wet season
Humid but calm and good value — for budget-minded travellers who can accept showers.
- Weather
- Still in the northwest monsoon: hot and humid with frequent but mostly short showers.
- Sea
- Calm seas and decent snorkelling and kayaking, though visibility drops after rain.
- Crowds & price
- Fewer visitors and lower prices, with a short bump around Lunar New Year.
- Good for
- Mix indoor and outdoor plans: spa and dining, then beach and island walks once the rain stops.
Month 3Wet season
End of the wet season: settling weather and prices not yet up — a favourite window for many.
- Weather
- Late northwest monsoon: temperatures stay high while rainfall starts to ease.
- Sea
- Warm water; the wind starts to shift and seas settle by month-end, so snorkelling improves.
- Crowds & price
- Prices are still lowish, with a small bump around the Easter holidays.
- Good for
- Snorkelling, diving and island-hopping get easier to schedule; still keep a spare weather day.
Month 4Shoulder
Widely seen as one of the best windows: light winds, clear water, prices not yet at peak.
- Weather
- A transition month between the monsoons: light winds, settled weather, still hot but with humidity easing.
- Sea
- One of the calmest months, with clear water and high visibility — very good for snorkelling and diving.
- Crowds & price
- An Easter-holiday bump, then prices fall back — very good value.
- Good for
- Snorkelling, diving, island-hopping and hiking all work, with good light for photos.
Month 5Shoulder
The tail of the transition, with good weather and moderate prices — very good value.
- Weather
- Shifting from the northwest monsoon towards the southeast trades: drier, with temperatures easing slightly.
- Sea
- Calm and clear early on; the southeast trades build by month-end, bringing swell and seaweed to southeast-facing coasts.
- Crowds & price
- Prices are moderate, before the July–August summer peak.
- Good for
- All water activities work; choose northwest-facing beaches for the best sea conditions.
Month 6Dry season
Dry and cool, good for hikers and nature lovers — just pick the right bay for swimming.
- Weather
- Southeast trades: dry and cooler, one of the more comfortable months, with the odd short shower.
- Sea
- Stronger winds bring swell and seaweed to southeast-facing coasts, while northwest-facing and sheltered bays stay calmer.
- Crowds & price
- Moderate prices, a window before the summer peak.
- Good for
- Hiking, birdwatching, giant tortoises and island tours are more comfortable; snorkel in leeward bays.
Month 7Dry season
The most comfortable weather but with sea-condition trade-offs, at peak-season prices.
- Weather
- One of the driest, coolest months, with steady trade winds.
- Sea
- A windy, choppier month: southeast-facing coasts get seaweed and poor swimming, while leeward coasts and inner seas are calmer.
- Crowds & price
- Northern-hemisphere summer holidays begin, so prices and crowds climb; book inner and private islands months ahead.
- Good for
- Hiking, birdwatching, giant tortoises and island day trips; snorkelling and diving depend on the day’s sea.
Month 8Dry season
One of the most comfortable stretches, and also the price and crowd peak.
- Weather
- Still dry and cool with plenty of sun and little rain.
- Sea
- Trade winds remain strong with swell on southeast-facing coasts; this is when whale sharks are more often seen off Mahé (a chance, not a guarantee).
- Crowds & price
- One of the busiest months, with European holidays on top; prices are high and room types scarce.
- Good for
- Hiking, island-hopping and birdwatching; for big-animal dives, pick the right operator and day.
Month 9Dry season
Easing winds and falling prices make it a good window heading into the transition months.
- Weather
- Dry, with temperatures creeping up as the trades begin to ease.
- Sea
- Swell eases; southeast coasts still see seaweed, but conditions beat July–August.
- Crowds & price
- Prices fall after the summer peak — a decent window.
- Good for
- Snorkelling and island-hopping improve, suiting trips that mix nature and beach.
Month 10Shoulder
Widely seen as one of the best windows: light winds, clear water, moderate prices.
- Weather
- The second transition month between monsoons: light winds, settled weather, humidity still lowish.
- Sea
- Calm, clear water and high visibility — among the best months for snorkelling and diving.
- Crowds & price
- Prices are not yet at peak, so value is good, though autumn school holidays can bring crowds.
- Good for
- Snorkelling, diving, island-hopping and hiking all work — good for a full multi-island trip.
Month 11Shoulder
Late in the transition: good weather, getting wetter as the month goes on.
- Weather
- The tail of the transition: humidity and rainfall start to rise as the northwest monsoon builds.
- Sea
- Steady seas and warm water, with more rain days from mid-month.
- Crowds & price
- Moderate prices, a window before Christmas/New Year, though some resorts are already filling the peak.
- Good for
- Most water activities still run; putting the main ones in the first half of the month is safer.
Month 12Wet season
Average weather at peak prices and crowds — best avoided unless you are coming specifically for the holidays.
- Weather
- The northwest monsoon takes over: hot and humid with more rain, usually showers that clear.
- Sea
- Light winds and mostly calm seas, but rain affects visibility.
- Crowds & price
- Christmas/New Year is one of the year’s peaks: highest prices, tight room supply, book months ahead.
- Good for
- Resorts run festive programmes; outdoor plans depend on the weather.
A few commonly asked windows
- · Value sweet spot: April–May and October–November — the transition months between monsoons, with light winds, the clearest water and prices not yet at their peak.
- · Snorkelling and diving: best in April–May and October–November; whale sharks show up mainly August–October off Mahé — a chance, not a guarantee.
- · Most expensive: July–August and Christmas/New Year; book inner and private islands months ahead.
- · Cheapest: around January–February in the northwest monsoon (rainy), and parts of May–June at some resorts.