If there is somewhere heaven on earth, then this is the Seychelles. Warm sparkling waters Indian Ocean, untouched snow-white sands, coconut palms with wide crowns, flawless blue sky - many people dream of indulging in carefree bliss on these islands. If you are also one of them, we advise you to carefully choose the time for your trip. In this article, Tour Calendar specialists will tell you why many tourists choose the period from May to October for a holiday in the Seychelles.
Tourist season in Seychelles
Seychelles is a real lifesaver for travel agencies and tourists who want to return to summer on any of the 365 days of the year. This is one of the few destinations in the world where you can go without fear of ruining your vacation in absolutely any season. Thanks to the establishment of offshore legislation, business tourism is also developed in the Seychelles. IN last years the increase in the main flow of entry to these irresistibly beautiful atolls is ensured by the French, Germans and Russians. The low season runs from November to March, while the high season peaks from May to September.
Beach season in the Seychelles
The swimming season in the Seychelles never ends, since the water temperature rarely drops below +26 degrees. The only obstacles to obtaining water bliss are occasional storms and heavy downpours, which are most likely from November to April. They don’t lose the relaxed nature of swimming in October and April, but in the summer the elements sometimes reward swimmers with “slaps in the face.” But your tan is not threatened by heavy clouds. In “our” winter, the water warms up to maximum levels of +28..+30°C. True, in conditions of heat and high humidity, swimming does not bring the desired pleasure.
Surfing and windsurfing season
115 atolls are lapped by turquoise waves to suit every surfer's taste. Best season to tame water element- this is the period from May to September when south-east winds blow and high waves are observed. Although here it is no less important what spot you go to. For example, on Anse Grande beach on the island of Mahe, the season is considered to be from November to April.
Diving season
The waters of the Seychelles archipelago can be compared to a giant aquarium with vibrant and diverse marine flora and fauna. The underwater world of the islands amazes even the most experienced explorers of the ocean depths. The diving here is some of the most spectacular in the world. The best time for diving is from April to May and from September to October, when visibility under water is maximum, there are no storms, and the coral world of the Indian Ocean is presented in all its glory. The most popular dive sites are Aldabra Atoll, Farquhar Archipelago and Recife Island. All divers need to be aware of the dangers of encountering sharks. To avoid it, you should swim and dive only in places specially designated for these purposes.
Best time for excursions
Almost all the attractions in the Seychelles are of a natural nature: sea National parks, equatorial forests, luxurious beaches and fantastic sunsets. Inspecting them is not an end in itself, but only a pleasant addition to the main idle rest. So we can conclude that the excursion season is year-round.
Fishing season
If you are not indifferent to fishing, rest assured that it is great in the Seychelles! Even professional athletes practice fishing in the Seychelles. The confluence of warm equatorial currents creates a wonderful environment for the reproduction of plankton, which is the main food for most ocean inhabitants. Therefore, as a catch, you can get an incredible number of incredible trophies of record sizes. Fishing season lasts all year round, but still each fish has its own productive season. So, blue marlin “goes” better from October to March; tuna and barracuda - from June to September; bonefish, trevally, majori, swordfish - from November to May. Seasons are also distinguished by types of fishing. Deep sea fishing is good throughout the year, and casting, fly and bottom fishing reward enthusiasts from late fall through late spring.
Season to watch sea turtles
The Seychelles is famous for its rich wildlife. From November to March, giant sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. Many of them are found only in these latitudes.
Birding season
On the northernmost island of the Seychelles archipelago, Berd, migratory birds make the pass in October-November and April-May. This is a very good time to observe many species of birds. You will probably not see such a concentration of birds as here in any corner of the planet.
Wedding season
Seychelles- “wedding destination” No. 1 among newlyweds and young spouses who want to spend their honeymoon unforgettably. Pristine nature, breathtaking landscapes, air saturated with romance and the Seychelles’ isolation from the outside world give them a special attractiveness and charm. The secluded tranquility and bliss offered by the islands, complete with comfort and first-class service, is a rare commodity in our busy world. This is probably why newlyweds are arriving in an endless stream to these heavenly lands. By the way, in the Seychelles you can not only have an unforgettable holiday with your significant other, but also spend wedding ceremony. Few people know that marriages concluded here are recognized as valid in almost all countries of the world, including in the Russian Federation. The certificate will have the same legal force if you got married in a regular district registry office. The most popular, and therefore most expensive, season is from May to October. But this does not mean at all that the Seychelles is empty during the rest of the year. Although showers fall on the archipelago, they do not last long and are always replaced by bright sunshine.
It's time for holidays and festivals
Seychelles is a relatively young state, but it has no shortage of holidays. The most important are: January 1 and 2 - New Year, May 1 - Labor Day, June 5 - Liberation Day, June 18 - National Reconciliation Day, June 29 - Independence Day, August 15 - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, November 1 - All Saints' Day, December 8 - Day of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, 25 December - Christmas. Easter also plays an important role in the lives of local islanders. Every year the date of this bright holiday falls on a different Sunday in March, April or May. If we talk about festivals, among the most large-scale ones I would like to highlight the Mind Body Spirit health festival (second half of June), Creole Culture Week (end of October), fishing tournament on the high seas "La Digue Offshore Tournament", French Week (in the 20s dates of March), International Carnival and Cultural Bazaars (April).
Climate in Seychelles
Seychelles is located in a tropical climate zone. Due to its proximity to the equator, temperature fluctuations throughout the year are insignificant. But for the sake of formality, it is still customary to distinguish between 2 seasons: wet hot (from December to May) and dry cold (from June to November). It should be borne in mind that in recent years, due to global climatic processes, the boundaries of the seasons are gradually blurring, so this distinction is very conditional. But, one way or another, being well removed from the formation zones of weather cyclones, the Seychelles can boast of one of the calmest climates in these latitudes.
Seychelles in spring
In March and April, the dominance of humid northwest trade winds continues, bringing heavy showers and clouds to the islands. True, it should be noted that the amount of precipitation is no longer as large as in the winter months, and closer to May it becomes completely insignificant. As a rule, rains fall in the dark and do not last long, so they do not cause any particular inconvenience to your vacation. At the beginning of spring, strong gusty winds cannot be ruled out, provoking the formation of storms on the ocean. This, of course, is not at all beneficial for tourists. But the winds prevent the heat from stagnating over the Edenic landscapes. Usually in May the weather stabilizes, and a fertile time begins, opening up wide scope for vacation activities.
Temperature and weather in the Seychelles in spring
Seychelles in summer
The summer (according to our calculations) months represent the height of the dry and conditionally “cold” season, when wet trade winds give way to cool southeast monsoons. Relative humidity is slowly returning to acceptable levels, which is why high temperatures even the most susceptible people tolerate them quite easily. The absence of heat does not mean that it is impossible to burn in the sun. The level of insolation on clear days (and there are most of them in summer) is extremely high, so if you do not want to get burned, do not forget to regularly use sunscreen, preferably with a high SPF factor. As for the sea, in June the monsoons are just coming into their own, so they don’t disturb the water surface much. But in July and August the ocean is often rough.
Temperature and weather in Seychelles in summer
Those who plan to see the Clock Tower, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and the Emmanuel Estate, go in for underwater sports, climb Mount Nid d'Aigle (from a height of more than 300 m a breathtaking panorama of the island of La Digue opens; you can ride a bicycle to the foot, after which active tourists will have a 30-minute climb), go to the Craft Village and national park Vallee de Mai, spend time on the Grand Anse beach, visit the cinnamon plantations growing there, walk along Marquette Street, the orchid garden and Botanical Garden Mont Fleury is invariably interested in the question: “How long does it take to fly from?”
How many hours does it take to fly from Moscow to Seychelles?
If you need to get to the Seychelles not only in winter, but also in other months, then you can use the services of Emirates Airlines (flying through will take approximately 13 hours) or Qatar Airways (flying via connecting will take at least 40 minutes). The latter option will be cheaper, and Qatar Airways flies to Seychelles every day, except Mondays. Those interested in flying via European cities(Amsterdam, Paris, London), they will spend about 20 hours on the road, and besides, such a trip will cost many times more.
Flight Moscow – Praslin
Despite the fact that Moscow and Praslin are separated by 6,889 km (the minimum price of air tickets is 26,800-49,600 rubles), due to the lack of direct flights, you will have to make transfers: a flight through Paris and Mahe will take 21 hours, through Dubai and Mahe - 23 hours, through and Mahe - 16.5 hours, through and Mahe - 19 hours. Upon arrival at Praslin Island Airport, travelers will find a recreation area, a currency exchange office, and a cafe.
Flight Moscow – Victoria
For those who want to make a direct flight to Moscow (8305 km between them), in winter it makes sense to resort to the services of the carrier Air Seychelles, which operates flights lasting 9 hours, once every 10 days. As for air tickets, their prices have a wide range: for example, in August they are sold at a price of 29,700 rubles, and in December – at 246,000 rubles. Those who made a stop in Abu Dhabi will find themselves in after at least 12 hours, in - after 23-26 hours, in - after at least 21 hours, in - after at least 16 hours, in Frankfurt am Main - after 15.5 hours, in Doha and Abu Dhabi - after 17 hours, in Doha and Mumbai - after 18 hours, in and Dubai - after 17.5 hours, in and Dubai - after more than 19.5 hours, in and Dubai - after 17 hours 15 minutes, in and Dubai - after 18.5 hours, in and Frankfurt am Main - after 18 hours 15 minutes.
Seychelles International Airport is equipped with: ATMs, currency exchange offices and bank branches; VIP lounge (where guests will find TVs, wireless Internet access, massage chairs, a bar with snacks and soft drinks); Internet terminals and public telephones; duty-free shops (they sell souvenirs and national goods of the islands at attractive prices) and car rental shops (you will be asked to pay 45 euros/day for a budget small car); restaurants and bars.
To get to the center of Victoria (the trip lasts no more than 20 minutes), it is advisable to take a bus, the stop of which is located opposite the airport. But you should take into account that buses run from 6 am to 5-6 pm, so if the plane lands on Seychelles soil after this time, you will have to hire a taxi.
Since there are no hotels on site at the airport (everyone over 12 years old is charged a $40 departure fee when leaving), it will take approximately 1 hour to get to the nearest accommodation.
