The climate of Seychelles
Seychelles has a tropical rainforest climate (Köppen climate classification Af); It is a humid but equable climate, with little temperature variations throughout the year. Seychelles is an island country in the Indian Ocean, on the eastern side of the Somali Sea. The islands lie approximately 932 miles to the east of Africa. Madagascar and Mauritius are in the south, and Maldives and Chagos lie towards the east of Seychelles. Mahe is the largest island, 835 miles away from Somalia's capital, Mogadishu. The vast waters of the Indian Ocean, southeast trade winds, and proximity to the equator influence the climate. The days and nights are of equal duration throughout the year.
Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands, situated just 4°south of the equator. The landmass of only 175 square miles consists of two distinct regions. The Inner Islands are made from granitic rock and are the world's oldest oceanic islands. Mahe, Praslin Island, Silhouette Island, and La Digue are the most important granite islands. The rocky islands have a narrow coastal strip and a range of hills in the center. The Outer Islands are coralline and mostly flat, with coral reefs at different formation stages. Southern Coral, Amirante, Alphonse, Aldabra, and Farquhar, are the five main groups in the outer islands that have no freshwater sources. Denis and Bird are two coral sand cays that lie to the north of the Inner Islands. Two coral reefs, Coetivy and Platte, are in the south of the granitic islands. Morne Seychellois is the highest point at 905 meters. The coastline of Seychelles is 306 miles.
The best time to visit Seychelles
The best time to visit
Seychelles is from
June to
August when the temperatures and humidity levels keep the conditions comfortable. Temperatures are slightly lower between June to August and rarely cross 31.1°C (88°F). The lowest precipitation occurs in the dry season period, and accompanied by bright sunshine makes it is an excellent time for beach holidays. Afternoon showers usually give way to light showers at night, which keeps the days mostly clear. Wind speeds pick up in August and make the seawaters choppy to the thrill of surfers. Beaches in the northwest are preferable during windy conditions.
October also has fair weather and lies outside the cyclone season.
The worst time to visit Seychelles
The worst time to visit
Seychelles is from
December to
January in the humid and wet season. The humidity levels are at the highest of the year and raise the heat index. The highest precipitation period keeps the daily sunshine to 5 hours. The skies are mostly cloudy, and the muggy conditions induce much sweat. Heavy rainfall curtails time on the beaches. The wet season is also prone to afternoon thundershowers. Frequent showers pose challenges in swimming, diving, and other water activities, although the seawater temperatures are comfortable. Nights are warm and humid.
Spring weather in Seychelles
In
Seychelles, springtime typically lasts from
March to
May. During this period, temperatures range from 24°C (75.2°F) to 30°C (86°F). March and
April tend to be the warmest months. Rainfall is moderate, as the country transitions from the wet season to the dry season. The southeast trade winds begin to pick up towards the end of spring, providing relief from the heat and humidity. Despite occasional rain, sunshine remains plentiful with average daylight hours exceeding eight per day.
Summer weather in Seychelles
Summer in
Seychelles, extending from
June to
August, is considered one of the best periods for visiting the archipelago. The average temperatures remain comfortably between 24°C (75.2°F) to 29°C (84.2°F). This season witnesses the least amount of rainfall, and the southeast trade winds keep the humidity levels in check. Gusts can reach up to 56km/h (34.8mph) in August, which invigorates surfers and water sports enthusiasts. Despite being the coolest part of the year, it offers plenty of sunshine with average daylight hours exceeding eight per day.
Autumn weather in Seychelles
Autumn months in
Seychelles, from
September to
November, see a gradual rise in temperature and humidity levels. Average temperatures range between 24°C (75.2°F) to 31°C (87.8°F). The southeast trade winds begin to subside, and the region starts transitioning towards the wet season. Although the weather is generally pleasant, there can be occasional spells of heavy rain, particularly towards the end of November. Despite this, sunshine remains ample, allowing for various outdoor activities.
Winter weather in Seychelles
Winter in
Seychelles runs from
December to
February, coinciding with the humid and wet season. During this period, average temperatures vary from 24°C (75.2°F) to 30°C (86°F), with December and
January receiving the most precipitation. The northwest monsoon dominates the weather pattern, resulting in high humidity and frequent rain, mainly in the form of afternoon thunderstorms. Despite the rainy conditions, seawater temperatures remain warm, between 27°C (80.6°F) to 30°C (86°F), which is comfortable for swimming.
Weather in January
January in
Seychelles marks the zenith of the wet season, accompanied by high temperatures and substantial rainfall. This month is also distinguished as one of the hottest periods of the year, with average temperatures hovering between 25°C (77°F) and 30°C (86°F).
Weather in January » Weather in February
In
Seychelles,
February signifies the transition from the hot and humid season towards the less wet part of the year. Although it is part of the wet season, rainfall begins to decrease compared to
January. The average temperature during February remains fairly constant, typically fluctuating between 25°C (77°F) and 30°C (86°F), similar to the preceding month.
Weather in February »Weather in March
As
Seychelles progresses into
March, the island nation transitions from its wet season to the drier part of the year. Despite this, March remains one of the warmer months, with average temperatures oscillating between 25°C (77°F) and 31°C (87.8°F).
Weather in March »
Weather in April
April in
Seychelles marks the transition from the wet season to the drier part of the year. During this month, the weather conditions begin to improve noticeably with reduced rainfall and slightly lower temperatures compared to
March.
Weather in April » Weather in May
May signals the beginning of the dry season in
Seychelles, resulting in a significant shift in weather conditions. Average temperatures during May vary between 25°C (77°F) and 30°C (86°F), slightly cooler compared to the preceding months.
Weather in May » Weather in June
June in
Seychelles represents a further progression into the dry season, leading to a substantial drop in rainfall. The month sees temperatures varying from 24°C (75.2°F) to 29°C (84.2°F), a slight decrease compared to
May. Victoria, the country's capital, experiences even lesser rainfall, averaging about 63mm (2.48") for the month, emphasizing the presence of the dry season. With the southeast trade winds fully in effect, June experiences fewer rain showers and almost negligible afternoon thunderstorms, creating a drier weather pattern.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
As the peak of the dry season,
July in
Seychelles is characterized by a significant reduction in rainfall and slightly cooler temperatures. The island nation witnesses average temperatures ranging from 23°C (73.4°F) to 28°C (82.4°F) during this month.
Weather in July »Weather in August
August in
Seychelles maintains the conditions of the peak dry season, with a further reduction in rainfall and slightly cooler temperatures. The average temperatures during August fluctuate between 23°C (73.4°F) and 28°C (82.4°F), consistent with the preceding month,
July.
Weather in August » Weather in September
September in
Seychelles is the tail-end of the dry season, featuring lower rainfall and stable temperatures. The month experiences average temperatures oscillating between 23°C (73.4°F) and 29°C (84.2°F), marginally warmer than the preceding month,
August.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
As
October arrives in
Seychelles, the transition from the dry to the rainy season begins. Despite this shift, the weather remains relatively stable, with temperatures fluctuating between 24°C (75.2°F) and 30°C (86°F). Victoria, the capital city, sees a considerable increase in rainfall, with an average of 206mm (8.11") for the month, marking the end of the dry season and the beginning of the wet one. The southeast trade winds start to weaken in October, resulting in an increase in rain showers.
Weather in October »Weather in November
November in
Seychelles marks a definitive shift into the rainy season, characterized by increased rainfall and consistent temperatures. The nation sees average temperatures ranging from 24°C (75.2°F) to 30°C (86°F) throughout the month.
Weather in November » Weather in December
December in
Seychelles signifies the peak of the wet season, characterized by high rainfall and stable temperatures. The island nation experiences average temperatures oscillating between 24°C (75.2°F) and 30°C (86°F) throughout the month.
Weather in December » [Resources]