The essentials
When to go to Seychelles, in brief
April-May and October-November: the sweet spot
The transition seasons between the two wind regimes. Flat sea, light wind, clear skies. The best time for diving and swimming.
The southeast trade winds (May-October)
A relatively dry season, 25-29°C, steady breeze. Handy for sailing, but seaweed can build up, especially on Praslin.
The northwest monsoon (Dec-March)
The wettest, mostly December-January. The trade-off is light wind, calm sea, warm sun and lush vegetation.
Diving at the right time
Visibility up to 30m in April, May, October and November, when the water is clearest and the sea flattest.
Warm year-round
Equatorial climate: 25-32°C all the time, water at 27-29°C. No bad beach season, just nuances of wind and rain.
Festivals to plan around
The Festival Kreol (22-30 October) and the SUBIOS ocean festival (November) fall in the best window of the year.
The verdict
The best periods
Apr-May & Oct-Nov
Transition seasons: flat sea, light wind, clear water. Perfect for diving and island-hopping. Book 2 to 4 months ahead.
May - September
Southeast trade winds, dry and breezy. Good for sailing and lazing, but possible seaweed on exposed beaches.
Dec - January
Heart of the monsoon: frequent, heavy rain. The sea stays calm, but it is the wettest month and very busy.
Month by month
The full calendar
Tap a month for the detailed guide: weather by region, where to go, festivals.
26-30°C
Monsoon, wet
26-31°C
Humid, calm sea
27-31°C
Late monsoon, warm
27-31°C
Transition, flat sea
26-30°C
Ideal, clear diving
25-29°C
Trade winds, dry
24-29°C
Dry, cool, seaweed
25-29°C
Dry, breezy
25-30°C
Wind easing
26-31°C
Transition, diving
27-31°C
Ideal, flat sea
27-31°C
Monsoon starts, rains
Climate
Climate by region
| Region | Dry season | Wet season | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transitions (Apr-May, Oct-Nov) | 27-31°C, flat sea | Light wind, clear water | Ideal everywhere |
| Southeast trade winds (May-Oct) | 24-29°C, dry, breezy | Possible seaweed on Praslin | Ideal for sailing, good |
| Northwest monsoon (Dec-March) | 26-31°C, humid | Rains, mostly Dec-Jan | Fair, calm sea |
| La Digue & inner islands | Warm year-round | Beaches sheltered from seaweed | Ideal Apr-May & Oct-Nov |
Calendar
The key events of the year
Carnaval International de Victoria
Colorful parades, music and dance in the capital, reflecting the islands' mixed heritage. In the favorable transition season.
🇸🇨 Victoria, Mahe
Seychelles Regatta
A sailing race that draws crowds at the start of the southeast trade winds, ideal for wind conditions.
🇸🇨 Mahe
Festival Kreol
The country's largest cultural festival: music, dance, food and exhibitions around Creole culture.
🇸🇨 Mahe
Ocean Festival (SUBIOS)
Underwater photos and films, marine activities. Falls when the sea is the clearest of the year.
🇸🇨 Mahe
Our analysis
Seychelles has no cold season: it is warm all year, between 25 and 32°C. The right moment hinges on wind and rain, not temperature. Two wind regimes shape the year, and the sweet spot lies between them.
The transition seasons, April-May and October-November
These are the best months. Between the southeast trade winds and the northwest monsoon, the wind drops, the sea flattens and the water turns crystal clear, up to 30m visibility. It is the prime window for diving, snorkeling and swimming, and the time you most enjoy the granite beaches of La Digue and Praslin. The Festival Kreol (22-30 October) and the SUBIOS ocean festival (November) fall right in this window.
The two wind seasons
From May to October, the southeast trade winds bring drier, cooler weather, 24 to 29°C, with a steady breeze sailors love. The catch: seaweed can build up on exposed beaches, especially on Praslin, where it pays to pick a sheltered cove. From December to March, the northwest monsoon brings humidity, with a rain peak in December-January. The sea stays calm and the sun warm, but it is the wettest season, which I would avoid for a first beach-focused trip.
My advice
If you can, aim for May or November. You get the best of both worlds: the flat seas of the transitions, clear water for diving and fewer people than the Christmas and summer peaks. Avoid December-January, the wet heart of the year.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Seychelles? +
From April to May and October to November: the transition seasons between the two wind regimes. Flat sea, light wind, clear water and 28-30°C. The best window to dive and swim.
When to visit Seychelles for diving? +
In April, May, October and November: visibility reaches 30m when the sea is flattest and the water clearest.
Is there a bad season in Seychelles? +
Not really: it is warm year-round (25-32°C). December-January is the wettest (monsoon), and June-August can bring seaweed to exposed beaches like Praslin.
What are the southeast trade winds in Seychelles? +
The prevailing wind from May to October: it brings drier but breezy weather, ideal for sailing, sometimes with seaweed on some beaches.
When is the Festival Kreol? +
From 22 to 30 October. It is the country's largest cultural festival, and it falls in the favorable transition season.
Do you need to book far ahead? +
For the year-end holidays and July-August, yes: these are the visitor peaks. Book flights and hotels two to four months ahead.
Marie Laurent · Southeast Asia specialist
Updated June 1, 2026