Which Seychelles islands are best for a holiday from June to September

In the popular imagination of tourists, a vacation in the Seychelles means eternal summer, turquoise lagoons, and deserted beaches with granite boulders. But the archipelago has its own climatic characteristics that are important to consider before booking your tickets.

This is especially true for the period from June to September — the so‑called low season, although in reality this concept is quite relative here.

What is the southern monsoon?

From June to September, the Seychelles are dominated by the southeast monsoon. This is not a rainy season in the conventional sense — there are no tropical downpours or weeks of gray skies.

On the contrary, the monsoon brings less humidity, as the air becomes drier and its temperature cooler — around 25–27 °C instead of 29–30 °C during the high season. This is easier to tolerate.

The southern monsoon also brings stable sunny weather — there is very little rainfall. What you should pay special attention to, however, is the wind and waves, which intensify on some islands.

The main feature of this period is that not all islands are equally comfortable, and not all beaches in the Seychelles are suitable for swimming in the summer.

The southeast monsoon hits the coasts exposed to the ocean, creating strong surf and currents. At the same time, sheltered coves and islands protected from the wind by their geographical position remain calm and inviting.

Therefore, the key question for a traveler is not "to go or not to go to the Seychelles," but rather "which specific island to go to and which side of the island to choose for your hotel."

Mahé: the best balance of flexibility and infrastructure

The main island of the archipelago remains the most versatile choice in summer — and the reason is not only its size.

Mahé is large enough to offer beaches of various types and orientations. If the eastern shore has waves and wind, you can drive 40–60 minutes to the western, sheltered side — and find yourself on a calm, quiet beach. On smaller islands, such flexibility simply does not exist.

Moreover, Mahé is the hub of all Seychelles infrastructure: the international airport, the best hospitals, supermarkets, a wide variety of restaurants, car rentals, and the ability to arrange excursions even on windy days.

Best Beaches on Mahé in June, July, August:

• Beau Vallon — the largest public beach in the north of Mahé, relatively sheltered and lively.
• Port Launay — a calm cove with shallow water, excellent for families.
• Anse Soleil — a small secluded beach in the southwest, one of the most beautiful on the island.
• Petite Anse — a sheltered bay in the southern part of the island, with almost no waves.
• Anse Royale Beach — a popular spot for recreation, snorkeling, diving, and other activities.

The western coast of Mahé is generally much better protected from the monsoon than the eastern coast, so when choosing a hotel for June–September, you should focus on this side.

Eden Island: an exclusive island in the Seychelles

Eden Island is a gem of a special kind within the Seychelles archipelago.

While other islands allure with their pristine wildness, Eden is entirely man‑made luxury and the only artificial island in the Seychelles, located just a few hundred meters off the eastern coast of the main island, Mahé. Due to this, despite the ocean's activity during the southern monsoon season, the sheltered waters around Eden and its private beaches always remain calm.

By the way, if the sea happens to be rough, or you simply want to swim in perfectly calm water, the island has several swimming pools — a huge advantage precisely during this windy season.

You will also find entertainment for every taste on the island. There is a wide choice of cafés and restaurants, the Eden Plaza shopping center, a free fitness center, tennis and padel courts, and much more.

In short, if you are choosing among all the islands, a vacation on Eden Island is perhaps the best option from June to September. After all, it is designed to provide maximum comfort and combine the best of the entire archipelago during the most "capricious" time of the year.

At Boombastic Tours, you can rent villas on Eden Island that we have selected especially for our guests.

Praslin: a good choice if you understand the seasonality

The second largest island of the archipelago is not uniform in summer — and it's important to understand this in advance.

What works well here:

• Anse Lazio — the famous beach in the northwest of the island remains one of the best. The monsoon hardly affects it, and this place retains its postcard‑perfect appearance.
• The northwestern part of the island is generally protected from the southeast wind.
• Snorkeling in calm coves remains excellent.

What may be less favorable:

• The eastern coast and some exposed beaches bear the full brunt of the monsoon.
• On some beaches, seaweed appears in summer and the surf intensifies, making swimming simply unsafe.

At the same time, July–August is still a great time to visit Vallée de Mai — a relict forest protected by UNESCO. By the way, this is where the famous coco de mer palm trees grow. This nature reserve is one of only two places on the planet where coco de mer palms are found in the wild. The reserve is completely unaffected by sea conditions.

Praslin is also a convenient base for island hopping in the Seychelles: from here, it is easy to reach La Digue and other small islands. So traveling here during the June–September season is both possible and advisable.

La Digue: atmosphere intact, swimming unstable

La Digue is one of the most photogenic islands in the world, and this holds true at any time of year. Granite boulders, quiet roads, bicycles instead of cars, sunsets over the ocean — none of this disappears with the arrival of the monsoon.

However, there is an important nuance.

Some of the island's most famous beaches become less suitable for swimming in summer: Grand Anse, Petite Anse, and Anse Cocos often greet tourists with strong waves and dangerous currents. Swimming here in July–August can simply be unsafe.

At the same time, Anse Source d'Argent — one of the symbols of the Seychelles — remains accessible: the coral reef and shallow seabed partially moderate the swell. The lagoon areas are generally calmer.

Who is La Digue good for in summer?

For couples and travelers who appreciate tranquility. The island is especially pleasant during this period — fewer tourists and a more relaxed atmosphere. For those who are primarily coming for swimming and snorkeling, it is better to combine La Digue with Praslin or Mahé, without staying here for more than 2–3 nights.

Silhouette: for those who want true seclusion

Silhouette — the fourth largest island of the Seychelles — is a completely different world compared to Mahé. There are almost no roads, minimal tourist infrastructure, dense jungles, and a feeling of total detachment from civilization.

Climatically, the island is similar to Mahé, but thanks to its topography, some bays are more protected from the monsoon wind.

In summer, Silhouette is especially good for:

• Digital detox and complete disconnection from city life.
• Honeymoons — privacy here is top‑notch.
• Hiking: the island is covered in tropical rainforest with trails leading to the summit of Mount Dauban (740 m above sea level).
• Snorkeling in protected bays.
• Luxurious relaxation at the island's only hotel — Hilton Seychelles Labriz, which offers high‑end accommodation.

It's important to note that the choice of restaurants and activities on Silhouette is limited. On windy days, there are virtually no alternatives. Logistics are more complicated — you need to get there by helicopter or boat from Mahé. This island is for those who consciously choose isolation, not for those seeking variety.

The Amirantes Islands: for connoisseurs of exclusive getaways

The Amirantes Islands are located approximately 200–300 km southwest of Mahé. This is a completely different archipelago — flat coral atolls with vast lagoons, almost devoid of tourist crowds, with a focus on fishing, diving, and privacy.

You can only get here by private or chartered aircraft — this automatically makes such a vacation niche and expensive. But the result is correspondingly rewarding.

Desroches: one of the best options in summer

Desroches Island is perhaps the most famous of the Amirantes group.

In summer, the island offers consistently good conditions:

• Long, deserted beaches without tourists.
• Well‑developed premium infrastructure.
• Excellent diving: rich marine life around the island, including sharks, manta rays, and turtles.
• World‑class deep‑sea fishing.

Desroches is an ideal choice for honeymoons, small private groups, villa stays, and for those seeking an exclusive experience away from mass tourism.

Denis: the most comfortable private island during monsoon season

Denis Island is often called one of the most comfortable private islands during the southeast monsoon season. Its location in the northern part of the archipelago makes it less susceptible to rough seas than islands exposed to the southeast.

The advantages here are:

• A calm, almost meditative atmosphere.
• Minimal number of guests — an exclusive resort with a limited number of places.
• Excellent fishing — Denis Island is considered one of the best spots for fly fishing in the Indian Ocean.
• A beautiful reef system for snorkeling and diving.
• Maximum comfort without ostentatious luxury.

Denis is especially good for couples, for those working remotely and seeking an inspiring environment, as well as for small private groups.

Islands that become better in summer

It may sound paradoxical, but for some islands, June–September is objectively the best time to visit.

Advantages of the low season:

• Fewer tourists — beaches and hotels are not overcrowded, the atmosphere is calmer.
• Lower humidity — more comfortable for walking and activities.
• Lower prices — the difference from the high season can reach 20–40%.
• Easier to find good villas and boutique hotels — during December–April, they are often booked months in advance.

The islands that particularly benefit from this period are: Silhouette, Denis, Desroches, the northern parts of Praslin, and the western coast of Mahé.

By ferry between the islands

Ferry service between Mahé and Praslin (and onward to La Digue) operates year‑round. The main operator is Cat Cocos, and the travel time from Mahé to Praslin is about 1 hour.

Features in summer:

• The southeast monsoon makes the sea noticeably rougher. In July–August, you may experience significant motion on the route, especially in the first half of the day.
• Complete cancellations are rare, but delays do occur.

Practical tips:

• Choose morning departures — they are generally calmer than afternoon and evening trips.
• Sit closer to the center of the vessel — there is less motion there.
• Take motion sickness tablets — if you are prone to seasickness, they really help. It is best to take them 30–40 minutes before departure.
• If you are traveling with children or elderly people, keep this factor in mind when planning.

Alternative to the ferry: a small Air Seychelles plane: the flight from Mahé to Praslin takes about 15 minutes and is almost unaffected by sea conditions. The cost is higher, but it is more comfortable and reliable during the monsoon season.

Which island suits whom: a quick guide

Families with children

Best choice: Mahé and Praslin.

Both islands offer everything you need: medical facilities, supermarkets, children's menus in restaurants, sheltered shallow‑water beaches, convenient transfers, and a wide range of accommodation for different budgets.

On Mahé, you can easily find hotels with kids' clubs and swimming pools. On Praslin, the calm waters around Anse Volbert are convenient for swimming with young children.

Couples and honeymooners

Ideal choice: La Digue, Silhouette, Denis, Desroches.

All four islands offer what people seek for a romantic getaway: privacy, boutique hotels and villas, deserted beaches, and sunset atmosphere. In summer, there are particularly few people here — and that's a plus.

If your budget allows, combining La Digue (2–3 nights) with Denis or Desroches (2–3 nights) is one of the best itineraries in the Seychelles in any season.

Divers and anglers

Best choice: Desroches, Denis, Silhouette.

Desroches is renowned for its rich marine life and deep‑sea fishing opportunities.

Denis is an iconic spot for fly fishing. Silhouette offers snorkeling and diving in less visited locations. Underwater visibility in the Seychelles is generally good in summer, although in some places, monsoon currents can complicate dives.

Nature lovers and hikers

Best choice: Mahé, Silhouette, Praslin.

Mahé is home to Morne Seychellois National Park — about 3,000 hectares of tropical forest with trails of varying difficulty. Silhouette is a true paradise for hikers: Mount Dauban, impenetrable jungle, unique flora. On Praslin, there is Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Conclusion: is it worth going to the Seychelles from june to september?

Absolutely yes. The low season in the Seychelles is a myth for those who know how to choose the right islands and beaches.

The main rule: choose the western and northwestern sides of the islands, give preference to sheltered coves, and if you want complete seclusion and stable conditions, consider Denis or Desroches.

The Seychelles work in summer too. You just need to know exactly where to go. At Boombastic Tours, we know how to organize and support your premium vacation in the Seychelles at any time of the year.

Contact us, and we will be happy to help you.