When to visit the Seychelles, season by season
The Seychelles can be visited all year round: air temperatures stay close to 27–30 °C and the sea almost never drops below 26 °C. What changes from month to month is the wind, the rain and how busy the islands are.
Two wind patterns, two moods
The archipelago lives to the rhythm of two trade winds that take turns.
- May to September, the south-east trade wind. The weather is dry and bright, the evenings cooler. The sea picks up on the south and east coasts, which delights surfers and windsurfers. Seaweed washes up on some exposed beaches.
- November to March, the north-west monsoon. The air turns heavier, showers are more frequent but short, and the sea calms down. This is the best window for diving: underwater visibility often exceeds 25 metres.
April and October mark the switch between the two patterns. The wind drops and the sea turns to glass: these are often the two finest periods of the year.
The calendar, month by month
- January and February: the wettest months. Tropical showers late in the day, brilliant vegetation, cheaper hotels outside the Christmas period.
- March: the rain thins out and the sea stays calm. A good compromise between price and weather.
- April: the ideal shoulder season. Flat sea, light wind, maximum visibility for diving.
- May to July: dry and windy. Night temperatures drop and the northern beaches are sheltered.
- August: the windiest month. Prices stay high because of the European holidays.
- September and October: the wind eases and visitor numbers fall. An excellent time to watch turtles at Aldabra and Cousine.
- November: the monsoon begins, with short showers. Rates are often attractive before the festive season.
- December: high season from the third week onwards. Book flights and accommodation well ahead.
When to file your authorisation
Apply for the travel authorisation once your flights and accommodation are booked. For air travel, the official guidance allows an application up to ten days before the flight. Leave enough time to replace an unclear document if requested.
Check the requirements before you start, then look at the specifics tied to your passport on the page for your nationality.