Best time to travel to the Seychelles 2026/27: When should you really go?

Wann ist die beste Reisezeit für die Seychellen? Dein ultimativer Wetter-Guide

Do you dream of powder-white beaches, gigantic granite boulders, and turquoise waters? The Seychelles are the epitome of a tropical paradise. The most frequent question we receive when planning a vacation is: When is the best time to fly to the Seychelles?

The great news first: It's summer all year round in the Seychelles! The thermometer rarely drops below 25 degrees Celsius. Instead of classic seasons like in Europe, the climate is determined by the trade winds, which divide the year into drier, windier and wetter, calmer phases.

Let's take a closer look at the temperatures and rainfall so you can find the perfect month for your dream vacation!

Contents of this article

1. Overview: All 12 months at a glance (table)

2. The best months in detail

3. Rainy season: What you can really expect

4. Travel time by activity (diving, hiking, beach)

5. Travel time to island (Mahé, Praslin, La Digue & more)

6. Flights & Prices: When is it cheaper?

7. FAQ

1. All 12 months at a glance

Here's a direct comparison — temperature, tourists, rainfall and prices for each month of the year:

Month	temperature	Tourists	Rain	fitness	Prices
January	27–30°C	Very high	Rain possible.	High season	High
February	27–30°C	Very high	Rain possible.	High season	High
March	28–31°C	Medium	Little rain	transition	Medium
April	28–31°C	Medium	Little rain	Recommended ✓	Medium
May	27–30°C	Low	Dry	Recommended ✓✓	Cheap
June	25–28°C	Low	Dry	Cheap	Cheap
July	24–27°C	Low	Dry	Cheap	Cheap
August	24–27°C	Low	Dry	Cheap	Cheap
September	26–29°C	Medium	Little rain	transition	Medium
October	27–30°C	Medium	Little rain	Recommended ✓	Medium
November	27–30°C	Medium	Little rain	Recommended ✓✓	Medium
December	27–30°C	Very high	Rain possible.	High season	High

Note: This table applies to the Inner Islands (Mahé, Praslin, La Digue). Outer Islands such as Alphonse or Farquhar follow similar patterns, but are additionally dependent on special permits and charter flights.

✈ Tip: Compare flights for your travel dates now

With the right timing, you can often save several hundred euros. Especially from May to August, flight prices are significantly cheaper than the peak season in December/January.

→ Find cheap flights to the Seychelles → Find flights

Transparency: If you book through this link, I receive a small commission — at no extra cost to you.

2. The best months in detail

April & May — the ideal time

These two months are the sweet spot for most travelers. The long rainy season (northwest monsoon) is subsiding, the sea is calmer, and the high season hasn't fully begun. You get the best of both worlds: good weather and reasonable prices.

• Sea temperature: approx. 28–29°C, ideal visibility for snorkeling

• Air temperature: 27–30°C, tolerable even without air conditioning

• Tourist numbers: moderate — beaches like Anse Source d'Argent are enjoyable

• Flight prices: significantly cheaper than in December/January

October & November — the underrated off-season

The second recommended travel period. Many travelers are unaware of the shoulder season in autumn, which means that the Seychelles are noticeably quieter during these months than their reputation suggests. Short rain showers are possible, but rarely last longer than 20–30 minutes.

• Similar conditions to April/May, only in reverse season

• Especially good for diving: visibility is often better than in peak season

• Flight prices at a yearly low — often 15–25% cheaper than in December

June to August — dry, windy, favorable

The driest time of year in the Seychelles. Hardly any rain, but the southeast monsoon brings brisk winds—which some find pleasant, others bothersome. It can get rougher on the west side of the main islands (e.g., Beau Vallon on Mahé). Beaches on the leeward side remain calm.

• Recommendation: Avoid west beaches, favor the east coast and La Digue

• Ideal for hiking: dry, not too hot

• Lower prices than high season

3. Rainy season: What you can really expect

Honest assessment, because many travel guides sugarcoat it: The Seychelles have two rainy seasons, but neither of them ruins the holiday.

Northwest monsoon (December to March)

This is the main rainy season. Short, heavy downpours, especially in the afternoon. Between the showers: bright sunshine. The sea can be rougher—snorkeling and diving more difficult in certain areas. This is also the high season (December/January), which surprises many. Christmas and New Year's are the most expensive weeks of the year.

Transition period (March–April and September–October)

Short transitional periods with mixed weather. Ideal if you are flexible — often weeks of perfect weather with only a few rainy days.

Important: A rainy day in the Seychelles is different from one in Germany. A typical day consists of a 30-minute shower—after which the sky is blue again. If you're planning excursions anyway, take a light rain jacket and book activities for the morning.

4. Best time to travel by activity

Diving & Snorkeling

April to May and October to November offer the best visibility. During these months, the sea is calm and the water temperature is pleasant. December to March: Visibility is sometimes limited by sediment and stronger currents on some reefs.

• Best Spots: Praslin (Cousin Island, Round Island), La Digue (Coco Island), Alphonse Island

• For Alphonse: March to May and September to November — also good for fly fishing

Hike

June to August is the driest time of year — perfect for hiking on Mahé and Silhouette Island. The paths are firm and slippery. Temperatures of 24–27°C are most pleasant for longer hikes.

• Best hiking areas: Morne Seychellois National Park (Mahé), Silhouette Island

• La Digue: good all year round, as it is flat and has short distances

Beach & Relaxation

Possible year-round — but April/May and October/November offer the best overall experience. Fewer tourists mean more space on the beach, even at popular spots like Anse Source d'Argent or Anse Lazio.

Honeymoon & Honeymoon

April, May, and November are the ideal months. Calm seas, few tourists, dramatic sunsets — and prices that aren't quite as painful as in December.

✈ Tip: Find hotels for your desired month

During the off-season (May–August, October/November), the best resorts are often 20–40% cheaper than in the high season. Booking early is still recommended, however.

5. Best time to travel to the island

The islands of the Seychelles are geographically close to each other, but differ slightly in microclimate and optimal travel time.

Mahé

April/May and October/November. Mahé is the largest island — Morne Seychellois protects the east side from the southeast monsoon (June–August), so beaches like Anse Royale remain calm even during this time. Victoria, the capital, is accessible year-round.

Praslin

April/May and October/November. Anse Lazio (northwest coast) is sometimes rougher during the southeast monsoon (June–August) — but the beach remains usable. Vallée de Mai is unaffected by the weather.

La Digue

Good year-round, with a slight preference for April/May. Anse Source d'Argent is located on the west side and can be choppier during the southeast monsoon (June–August). However, the beaches on the leeward side are calm.

Silhouette Island

April/May and October/November offer calm seas. June to September is good for hiking through the national park. Access is only by boat from Mahé (approx. 45 minutes).

Alphonse Island & Outer Islands

April to May and October to November offer calm seas. March to May and September to November are especially good for fly fishing. The Outer Islands can be booked year-round through specialized operators—be aware of permits and seasonal restrictions that vary by island.

6. Flights & Prices: When is it cheaper?

The price differences throughout the year are considerable. Those who are flexible can quickly save 300–600 euros per person on flights alone.

Period	Flight prices from DE	Hotel prices	Recommendation
Dec./Jan. (High season)	approx. €900–1,400	Very high	Only if the date is fixed
Feb./March	approx. €800–1,200	High	It's best to avoid it.
April/May ✓	approx. €650–900	Medium	Ideal time
June–August	approx. €550–800	Cheap	Good for budget
September	approx. €600–850	Medium	OK
October/November ✓	approx. €600–880	Medium	Ideal time

Booking tip: Book 3-6 months in advance for April/May trips. Those traveling in October/November can often still find good prices 8-10 weeks beforehand.

✈ Tip: Check current flight prices for your desired travel dates

Prices change daily. It's best to check availability now for April/May or October/November — the cheapest connections often sell out quickly.

→ Search for flights to the Seychelles

Transparency: If you book through this link, I receive a small commission — at no extra cost to you.

Conclusion: When should you go to the Seychelles?

In short: April/May and October/November. These four months combine good weather, calm seas, fewer tourists, and lower prices. For most travelers, this is the ideal compromise.

If you have a specific goal in mind—diving, hiking, honeymoon, budget trip—then use the detailed recommendations earlier in the article. The Seychelles can be visited year-round. The only question is whether you want to experience the highlights amidst crowds and peak prices, or with more space and at fairer prices.

Next step: Check out our island comparison (Mahé vs. Praslin vs. La Digue) — it will help you choose the right base for your travel dates.

FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions about travel time

Is there a rainy season in the Seychelles?

Yes, but nothing that will ruin your holiday. From December to March, there is more rain (northwest monsoon). Short, heavy showers are typical, followed by sunshine. Most rainy days last less than half an hour. Those who travel during this time (December/January is even peak season) will still experience mostly beautiful weather.

When is the cheapest time to visit the Seychelles?

June to August is the cheapest time to fly—flights are often 30–40% cheaper than in peak season. April/May and October/November also offer good prices with better weather than the peak off-season. December and January are the most expensive months, especially around Christmas and New Year's.

Is November a good time to travel to the Seychelles?

Yes, November is one of the most underrated months. The transition period between the monsoon seasons often brings stable, sunny weather. There are fewer tourists than in the high season, and prices are moderate. Short showers are possible, but rarely persistent. It's especially good for diving and snorkeling.

Which island is best in bad weather?

Mahé, due to its size and central mountain range, offers the most sheltered options. The east coast is calmer than the west coast during the southeast monsoon. Generally speaking, if the weather changes, simply switch to the other side of the island—this is most easily done on Mahé.