When is the best time to visit Seychelles?
Seychelles is good all year — but "good" varies. The wind shifts, the rain falls in different places, the sea changes colour. Two windows stand out for boat travellers: April-May and September-October. Here is the full month-by-month breakdown.
The two monsoons that shape the year
Seychelles has two trade-wind seasons. The north-west monsoon runs roughly November to March — warmer air, more humidity, occasional heavy rain, calmer sea on the south-east coasts. The south-east monsoon runs May to September — drier, cooler nights, breezier days, choppier sea on the east coasts. Between the two are the transition months — April and October-November — which combine the best of both: warm, dry, calm. For boat travel, this is the most important fact. Calm sea + good visibility + low rain = April, May, September, October.
Month by month
**January.** Warm, humid, occasional heavy showers. Sea visibility variable. Lower tourist numbers; good for beach time and short boat trips. Whale sharks: not in season. **February.** Similar to January. Hot. Some of the strongest rain of the year falls in short bursts. Inner-island snorkeling still works on the lee side. **March.** Transition begins. Wind drops. Rain decreases. Last chance for the calmest waters before April. Excellent for sunset cruises. **April.** One of the two best months. Hot, dry, sea like glass, visibility often above 25 metres. Crowds still moderate. Whale sharks not in season but everything else is at its best. **May.** Trade winds settle. Slightly cooler at night. Inner-island snorkeling still excellent on the lee side. Good prices. **June.** South-east wind picks up. East-coast beaches can get seaweed. Inner-island west-side spots stay excellent. Fishing season for sailfish opens. **July.** Windier. Sea cooler. Big game fishing peaks. Inner-island sheltered snorkeling still good. **August.** Wind eases off mid-month. Whale shark sightings begin. Big game fishing remains strong. **September.** The other best month. Whale sharks at peak. Sea calming. Visibility excellent again. Slightly more tourists than April. **October.** Wind drops further. Whale sharks still present early in the month. Excellent inner-island conditions. Honeymoon high season. **November.** Transition into the north-west monsoon. Calm sea but some rain. Quieter on the water. Good value. **December.** High season for European holidays. Warm, humid, occasional rain. Christmas/NYE bookings need 3+ months lead time.
When to book for what you want
For a private boat day with maximum visibility: April, May, September, October. For whale sharks: August (late) to October. September is the safest bet. For big game fishing: June, July, August. For honeymoons (calm sea + light + sunsets): April-May or October. Avoid late January-February (rain peak). For families with young children: April-May (transition, calm) or November (similar, less expensive).
What we do when the weather turns
Our cancellation policy is built around weather. If the captain calls it (safety, not preference), we refund or reschedule in full. If you call it, the 72-hour rule applies. In practice, we lose 5-10 days a year to weather across all seasons — usually rescheduled within 48 hours. The inner islands are protected enough that the day is rarely completely cancelled. We adapt the route — east coast becomes west coast, full-day becomes half-day, snorkeling site shifts. The skill of the captain is mostly in this adaptation.
Best time to visit — frequently asked
What's the absolute best month for a Seychelles boat trip?
+
Late April or late September. April for the calmest sea before the south-east winds, September for the post-monsoon clarity and the whale sharks.
Is Christmas/New Year a good time?
+
Yes for atmosphere and warmth, but it's the highest-rain period and the most expensive. Book 4+ months ahead if that's your window.
Are there cyclones in Seychelles?
+
Seychelles sits outside the main cyclone tracks — direct hits are rare (last major one: 2018, Cyclone Berguitta brushed past). The country is considered cyclone-safe.
When are prices lowest?
+
May, early June, late October to mid-December are the quieter and cheaper windows. Our prices stay flat year-round but accommodation around the islands drops by 30-40% in these months.
What's the water temperature?
+
26-29°C year-round. You don't need a wetsuit. A rashguard is helpful for long days in the sun.
What goes well with this
Pick a date and we'll handle the weather
Booking with us means a captain who reads the daily forecast for you. If your day isn't right, we move it.
See excursions