Seychelles has a tropical climate throughout the year. The north-west monsoon winds change their course in November, bringing lighter and warmer winds to Seychelles and causing more rains in December. Even though December in Seychelles is the rainy season, the showers are short and the sun does come out for reasonably long stretches of time. So, despite the increased rains and wet weather in December, you are going to enjoy a lot of warm, sunny days and pleasant light winds with a clear blue sky and lush greenery.
Average Temperature
The temperature does not range much throughout the year. Though in December, the weather is quite hot and usually ranges between 25 to 30 degrees Celcius, with humidity levels remaining steady until January at 75%.
Is December a Good Time to Visit Seychelles?
- For Water Sports: Activities like snorkelling and scuba diving can be enjoyed throughout the year in Seychelles. December provides favourable conditions for peaceful sailing and cruising.
- For Hiking: December is not a good time for hiking in Seychelles as the mountain paths get muddy and slippery due to increased rain. This is also the cyclone season for Seychelles, but only the southernmost and outer islands, the groups of Aldabra and Farquhar in particular, fall within the cyclone belt. The northern islands like Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue remain unaffected by these cyclones.
- For Bird Watching: Birding is exciting in December as a lot of rare seabirds can be spotted during the northwest monsoon. Although the breeding season of the main Tern breed ends around October, many of the unusual vagrants drift towards Seychelles around mid-December.
Places to Visit in Seychelles in December
1. Mahé Island
The largest and the most popular island of Seychelles has much to offer beyond its enchanting pristine beaches. 90 per cent of the Seychelles population lives in Mahé, and this population forms a real ethnic community. Head to Beau Vallon beach on Mahé Island if you are into adventure sports and enjoy activities like parasailing and paragliding. You can even enjoy motorized water sports on this beach which are not available on other beaches. Do not miss out on the Seychelles Ocean Festival which is held every year during December at various places on Mahé.
2. Praslin
December is a good time to visit Praslin Islands as the seaweed is less on Praslin's south/southwest coast during this time. Apart from that, the monsoon weather of December enhances the biodiversity on the island. Do not miss Vallée de Mai nature reserve which is a UNESCO world heritage site, famous for coco de mer, the largest seed in the world. The rare Seychelles Black Parrot, the national bird of Seychelles, can also be spotted here.
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3. Cousin Island
A secluded island with enchanting beauty and a serene atmosphere, Cousine Island is a very good option for carrying out nature walks through the forest. The island can only be visited through local tour operators. Entry to Cousin island is done on a warden boat (changeable 200m before reaching the island) to prevent pest infestation. The 75-minute guided tour is conducted by the reserve's warden who explains the biodiversity and highlights of the island.
4. Bird Island
Bird watchers are in for a treat as December is supposed to be the most exciting time for birdwatchers on this Island, when rare Eurasian birds come to the island, thanks to its ideal location - the northern perimeter of the Seychelles Bank. You'll spot a variety of land birds, seabirds and migrants here throughout the month.
The weather of Seychelles is quite unpredictable, and December does experience more rains, but they're not enough to come in the way of your precious holidays! So don't worry, but do keep a check on the weather forecast.