Best Time to Visit Seychelles

The northwest monsoon season is the wettest and hottest season in Seychelles. It lasts from November to March and is characterised by warm, humid, and rainy weather, with occasional storms.

The normal temperature is around 28°C, and the average rainfall is about 300 mm monthly. The sea is calm and clear but can be cloudy and choppy sometimes.

The northwest monsoon season has its pros and cons for visiting Seychelles. On the one hand, it is less crowded and cheaper than the other seasons, and you can enjoy the lush greenery and tropical flowers that bloom in this season.

On the other hand, it is more prone to mosquitoes, cloudy skies, and unpredictable weather, which can affect your outdoor activities and sightseeing.

Places to Visit in the Northwest Monsoon Season

Mahé Island

This is the largest and most populated island in Seychelles and the home of the capital city, Victoria. Mahé Island has many stunning beaches, such as Beau Vallon and Anse Royale. It also has scenic mountains, such as Morne Seychellois and Trois Frères. You can also visit artistic and historical attractions like the Botanical Garden, the National Museum, and the Clock Tower. Mahé Island is also an excellent base for island hopping, as it has a major airport and ferry terminal.

Praslin Island

It is the second largest island in Seychelles and the home of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vallée de Mai. This natural reserve hosts the endemic coco de mer palm, which yields the largest seed in the world. Praslin Island also has some of the most beautiful beaches in Seychelles, such as Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette. You may explore neighbouring islands like Curieuse Island, known for its giant tortoise sanctuary, and Cousin Island, a birdwatcher haven.

La Digue Island

This is the most laid-back and charming island. La Digue Island is famous for its traditional lifestyle, where bicycles and ox-carts are the major modes of transport. You can cycle around the island and discover its stunning beaches, such as Anse Source d’Argent and Grand Anse. You can also visit the Veuve Reserve, home to the rare black paradise flycatcher, and the L’Union Estate, a former coconut plantation with a colonial house and a vanilla factory.

Cousine Island

This private island is dedicated to conservation and ecotourism. You can stay in one of the four luxury villas on the island and enjoy the pristine nature and wildlife. You can also compete in various activities, such as snorkelling, kayaking, hiking, and birdwatching.

Aride Island

The Island Conservation Society manages this island, which is home to over one million seabirds, such as the red-tailed tropicbird, the lesser noddy, and the roseate tern. You can visit the island as a day trip and enjoy the guided tours, the nature trails, and the panoramic views.

Festivals to Enjoy in Seychelles in the Northwest Monsoon Season

Some festivals that you can enjoy in this Seychelles tourist season are:

Semaine de la Francophonie (March): This week-long festival commemorates the French language and culture in Seychelles and the world. It features various events and activities, such as concerts, exhibitions, workshops, debates, and competitions.

International Deep-Sea Fishing Competition (March): This four-day competition attracts anglers and fishing enthusiasts from around the world. It is held in the waters around Mahé Island and offers prizes for the biggest and best catches. You can join the competition, test your skills and luck, or watch the action and admire the fish.

The transition period in April is one of the best times to visit Seychelles, as it offers the most preferable weather conditions for outdoor tasks and water sports.

It lasts one month and is characterised by warm, dry, and clear weather, with average temperatures around 27°C and average rainfall around 100 mm.

The sea is calm, clear, and ideal for snorkelling, diving, sailing, and fishing.

Places to Visit in the Transition Period

You can explore the following places during this best season to visit Seychelles.

Curieuse Island

This is a part of the Praslin National Park and is accessible by boat from Praslin Island. It is famous for its red soil, mangrove forests, and giant tortoises. You can walk around the island, see the tortoises roaming freely, and visit the Doctor's House, a museum showcasing the island's history and ecology.

Silhouette Island

This island is a designated marine national park. It is known for its rich biodiversity, with many endemic plants and animals, such as the Seychelles sheath-tailed bat, the Seychelles giant millipede, and the Seychelles palm spider. You can hike through the dense forest and see the impressive granite peaks, such as Mont Dauban and Mont Pot à Eau. If tired, relax on the Anse La Passe and Anse Mondon beaches.

Bird Island

This is a private island in the northernmost of the Seychelles. It is famous for its birdlife, especially the sooty terns, which nest on the island from May to October. You can watch the birds from the observation platforms and see other species, such as fairy terns, white-tailed tropicbirds, and frigatebirds. You can also visit the island's farm, which produces organic fruits and vegetables, and the island's museum, which displays artefacts and photos from the island's history.

Denis Island

This is another private island that offers luxury and tranquillity. Coral reefs and turquoise waters surround it, and it has a 5 km long white sand beach. You can enjoy various water sports, such as snorkelling, diving, kayaking, and surfing. You can go to the island by bike or on foot and see the old lighthouse, the chapel, and the cemetery. Also, visit the island's farm, which breeds pigs, chickens, and cows, and the island's hatchery, which protects the sea turtles.

Fregate Island

This is the most exclusive and expensive island in Seychelles and is a sanctuary for wildlife and nature lovers. It has seven beaches, including Anse Victorin, which is often ranked as one of the best beaches in the world. You can swim, snorkel, dive, sail in the crystal-clear water and see the colourful coral and fish. Moreover, while hiking through the forest, you can see the rare Seychelles magpie robin, the Seychelles warbler, and the Coco de Mer palm.

Festivals to Enjoy in Seychelles in the Transition Period

Some festivals that you can enjoy during this best time to visit Seychelles for honeymoon are:

Carnaval International de Victoria (April): This three-day festival celebrates the diversity and culture of Seychelles and the world. It features colourful parades, music, dance, food, and entertainment from various countries and regions.

Seychelles National Fishing Tournament (April): This two-day tournament attracts anglers and fishing enthusiasts from around the world. It is held around Mahé Island and offers prizes for the biggest and best catches. You can join the tournament, test your skills and luck, or watch the action and admire the fish.

FetAfrik Festival (April-May): This festival celebrates the African heritage and influence in Seychelles. It features various events and activities, such as concerts, exhibitions, workshops, fashion, and culinary shows.

The southeast monsoon season is the coolest and driest season in Seychelles. It lasts from May to September and is characterised by cool, dry, and windy weather, with occasional showers.

The average climate condition is around 25°C, and the average monthly rainfall is approximately 50 mm. The sea is rough, choppy, and less suitable for water sports, snorkelling, diving, and sailing.

The southeast monsoon season has its pros and cons for visiting Seychelles. On the one hand, it is the cheapest time to visit Seychelles - less humid, and more comfortable than the other seasons, and you can enjoy the wildlife and nature that thrive in this season.

On the other hand, it is the worst time to visit Seychelles for beach lovers and water enthusiasts, as the sea can be cold and murky, and the beaches can be eroded and seaweed-covered.

Places to Visit in the Southeast Monsoon Season

You can explore the following places during this cheapest time to visit Seychelles.

Aldabra Atoll

This is the largest and most remote atoll in Seychelles and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a natural wonder that hosts the largest population of giant tortoises in the earth, as well as many other endemic and endangered species, such as the Aldabra rail, the Aldabra drongo, and the Aldabra banded snail. You can visit the atoll by boat or plane and enjoy the guided tours, the snorkelling, and the diving. You can also see the impressive tidal phenomenon, where the water level drops by up to four meters, revealing the coral reef and the lagoon.

Alphonse Island

This small island is part of the Alphonse Group and a paradise for fishing and diving. It is surrounded by a coral reef and a blue lagoon and has a rich marine life, with over 600 species of fish, such as bonefish, sailfish, tuna, and marlin. You can enjoy various fishing and diving activities, such as fly fishing, deep-sea fishing, reef fishing, scuba diving, and snorkelling.

Desroches Island

This island is part of the Amirante Group and is a luxurious and secluded destination. It has a 14-kilometre-long beach, the longest in Seychelles, and a coral reef encircles the island. Enjoy various water sports here, such as kayaking, paddle boarding, surfing, and sailing. You can also dive and snorkel in the reef and see the turtles, rays, sharks, and dolphins. Relax in the island’s spa, which uses local ingredients such as coconut, cinnamon, and vanilla.

North Island

This is one of the most exclusive and expensive islands in Seychelles and is a sanctuary for wildlife and nature lovers. It has four beaches, each with its own character and beauty, such as East Beach and West Beach (Sunset Beach). The island’s spa uses natural products from the island to pamper you. You can also explore the forest and spot some unique birds, such as the Seychelles white-eye, the Seychelles blue pigeon, and the Seychelles sunbird. Or you can enjoy the water activities in the clear and colourful sea.

Sainte Anne Island

This is the largest island in the Sainte Anne Marine National Park and is a popular and family-friendly destination. It has six beaches, including Anse Royale and Anse Cimitière. You can enjoy various water sports and visit nearby islands, such as Moyenne Island, which has a pirate cemetery, and Cerf Island, which has a turtle sanctuary.

Festivals to Enjoy in Seychelles in the Southeast Monsoon Season

Seychelles Sea Turtle Festival (August): This two-day festival raises awareness and promotes the conservation of the sea turtles in Seychelles. It features various events and activities, such as turtle walks, talks, games, crafts, and releases.

South East Monsoon Sailfish Tournament (August): This one-day tournament attracts anglers and fishing enthusiasts from around the world. It is held in the waters around Mahé Island and offers prizes for the biggest and best catches of sailfish.

**La Digue Festival (August):**This festival celebrates the culture and traditions of La Digue Island. It features various events and activities, such as music, dance, food, sports, and competitions. You can participate in the events and experience La Digue Island's authentic and charming lifestyle.

Round Table Beau Vallon Regatta (August-September): This festival celebrates Seychelles' maritime heritage and activities. It features various events and activities, such as sailing, canoeing, swimming, fishing, and water skiing.

Seychelles is a stunning island nation in the Indian Ocean that offers a variety of attractions and activities for travellers. You can also explore the rich biodiversity, the endemic and endangered species, and the natural wonders that are found on the islands, such as the giant tortoises, the coco de mer palms, and the Aldabra atoll.

You can also experience the diverse culture, the delicious cuisine, and the vibrant festivals that celebrate the Creole heritage and identity of Seychelles. Seychelles is a paradise island that has something for everyone in every season.

But before you fly to Seychelles, buy travel medical insurance online.

Indians need to buy travel medical insurance before visiting Seychelles as it a legal mandate to enter the country. A travel insurance policy shields you against all the financial uncertainty that arises on your trip, such as flight cancellation or delay, loss of passport and baggage, and falling sick while on a trip.

In order to get the best coverage, compare travel insurance plans to find the one that fits your budget and requirements.

What is the best time to visit Seychelles from India?

This question has no definitive answer, as it depends on your preferences. However, some of the best months to visit Seychelles are April and October, when the weather is stable and pleasant and the sea is calm and clear.

Is there a rainy season in Seychelles?

Yes, there is a rainy season in Seychelles, which lasts from November to March. This is because the northwest monsoon brings warm, humid, and rainy weather with occasional storms. The rainfall varies by island, but the northern islands are rainier than the southern ones.

What is the hottest month in the Seychelles?

The hottest months in the Seychelles are March, April, and May, when the average daily temperature is around 28 °C (82 °F). These months are also the calmest, sunniest, humid, and expensive. The sea temperature is also very warm, around 30 °C (86 °F).

What is the cheapest time to visit Seychelles?

The cheapest time to visit Seychelles is th months of May, June, July, August, and September, when the southeast monsoon brings cool, dry, and windy weather, and the tourist demand is lower. However, these months are also less ideal for beach lovers and water enthusiasts, as the sea can be cold and murky, and the beaches can be eroded and seaweed-covered.