Frequently Asked Questions
About Seychelles

"Seychelle: Is this a correct alternative spelling for Seychelles?"

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If you need Seychelles travel information, or any information on Seychelles at all, you're in the right place. On this page we'll try answer your Seychelles holiday travel questions. Let's get started...

FAQs about Seychelles

1. Of all the beaches in Seychelles, what's your favourite?
2. Is "Seychelle" a correct alternative spelling for Seychelles?
3. How many islands are in the Seychelles?
4. Where are the Seychelles islands?
5. When is the best time for a vacation in Seychelles?
6. When is it winter in Seychelles?
7. Are there cyclones or hurricanes in Seychelles?
8. How about rain? What's the weather like in Seychelles?
9. Does it get cold when it rains in Seychelles?
10. What can I do when it rains in Seychelles?
11. Any other suggestions for when it rains in Seychelles?
12. Have you got any question about Seychelles?

Q & A

Lemuria Praslin - Few Seychelles hotels can boast of such splendour in their backyard!
Anse Georgette - the jewel in the crown

Of all the beaches in Seychelles, what's your favourite?
This question is the most frequently asked question of all. And it is answered in depth on this site with lots of pictures. Start exploring here on the home page - Seychelles Islands Beaches.

Is "Seychelle" a correct alternative spelling for Seychelles?
Not quite. But those who don't know any better do use it. What you need to know about Seychelles is that the word is an anglicized version of a French name "Séchelles" - You see, Seychelles was named after Jean Moreau de Séchelles (pronounced as "say-shell").

And also note that in Seychelles the final "S" is not pronounced. So this may be the reason you find people writing it as Seychelle. Another correct spelling is "Sesel" in Creole... Of course you'll find other spellings like: Seychell, Sychelle but these are all misspellings. :).  Read more here...

How many islands are in the Seychelles?
There are 155 islands - 42 granite islands + 113 coral islands make up the Seychelles. A full list of all the islands in different groups can be found at Seychelles Islands... You can also find more details here.

Where are the Seychelles islands?
First where it isn't - Seychelles is not in Africa and not a part of Africa. It is in the middle of the Indian Ocean... It is far from Africa - 1500 km east of Kenya, the nearest place in Africa. Seychelles is 1000 miles north of Mauritius, 700 miles northeast of Madagascar and 1500 miles southwest of India.

When is the best time for a vacation in Seychelles?
There is no best time of year for a holiday in Seychelles. It's pleasant the whole year, so you can travel to Seychelles any time but right now prices are low - not cheap but perhaps more affordable if you're on a budget. So now is a good time.

Also keep yourself informed of the special offers during the off-season by subscribing to our weekly e-zine, and keep up-to-date with the site through our RSS feed and blog. Also read this eye-opening article about Seychelles and the best time for a holiday in these tropical islands.

Best Seychelles beach - Ptit Anse La Digue

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When is it winter in Seychelles?
There is no winter in Seychelles. Yes you read that correctly. And there is no summer either. And that's a fact. But there is a dry and a wet season. Seychelles is different from the Caribbean Islands. Read more about the Seychelles weather here.

Are there cyclones or hurricanes in Seychelles?
The short answer is: No... Seychelles is quite unusual among tropical islands as it is located almost smack on the equator, thus putting it outside the hurricane belt. So unlike Mauritius, its neighbour 1500 kilometres to the south, that gets hit several times annually, Seychelles does not experience cyclones (hurricanes) at all. Read more about Seychelles climate and the complete absence hurricanes.

How about rain? What's the weather like in Seychelles?
The first thing you notice when you approach Seychelles whether by sea or from the air is the lush green landscape. This is testament to how abundantly it rains in these islands. Absolutely, and when it rains it pours. The rainy season is from mid November to end of January or mid February. The northwest wind brings rain.

But don't let this put you off visiting at this time of year. Rain can alternate with long sunny periods. Although at that time it could rain for several days in a row you still have sunny spells in between the showers or the heavy downpour.

The dry season is April to September, but you still get the odd light shower during that time. There is no month without rain in Seychelles. If 30 days go by without rain the locals start to complain, and the authorities can impose water-usage restrictions.

You see, the reservoirs are rather small, so Seychelles is dependent on the ongoing rainfall, and it rains quite abundantly. You should read more about Seychelles climate here

Does it get cold when it rains in Seychelles?
No. The temperature during a downpour is always between 26 and 29°C (79 to 84°F). Remember there is no winter in Seychelles, only a drier and a wetter season.

 

What can I do when it rains in Seychelles?
Get the best ideas watching children. That's the best time to enjoy the hotels' swimming pool. If you have children let them loose and follow their lead.

One interesting fact about Seychelles to note is this: On Mahe, one side of the island might be experiencing heavy rain while the other side barely 5 kilometres away might be bathed in bright sunshine. So, ask at your hotel.

Also bear in mind that the flat sand cays like Bird Island, Platte Island, Alphonse Island, Denis Island, Daros and Desroches etc in the Amirantes group experience much less rain than the mountainous granite islands. So, you may want to look at these options for a few days. These islands are between 60 and 120 miles from Victoria.

Also remember that the best fly-fishing time in these islands is in the rainy season. During that time you'll make incredible catches. Do you know what it's like to feel the pull of a 60-pound GT? You better bring some heavy tackle.

"Seychelles is Trevally heaven", said the seasoned angler. Tip: choose the rainy season for your fly-fishing in Seychelles... And you won't be forgetting that fishing vacation in a hurry - This I promise. You'll have plenty of stories to tell and photos to prove it too.

And finally, most people think of the beach and sun as inseparable. Great but...

How about enjoying a walk on the beach in the rain? Sounds crazy, right? But, a lot of fun. Let your hair down. Try it next time it rains in exotic Seychelles. I used to play in the rain as a child. I still love it.

Any other suggestions for when it rains in Seychelles?
If it rains too much for your liking, and you really must have the sun, then know that the Maldives is the mirror opposite of Seychelles - meaning that the dry season in Seychelles coincides with the wet season in Maldives and vice versa.

Otherwise they have very similar weather just occurring 6 months out of sync, and the winds are truly mirrored - meaning there's a lateral inversion in the wind directions between the two countries.

Read more about the Maldives and Seychelles compared here. So, next time you get caught out in the rain in the more popular Maldives you'll know where to go. :).

Seychelles Answers

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